The completion of this strategic operation was marked by the inauguration of the new charging hub in Pombal, completing an investment plan totalling €6.1 million.

The network extends along the A1 and A2 highways, connecting Porto to the Algarve region through 96 high-power charging points, strategically distributed across eight mobility hubs.

The new charging infrastructure provides a combined power of 20 MW and is located in critical service areas for long-distance traffic, including the Pombal and Aveiras junctions on the Northern Highway (A1), as well as the Alcácer do Sal and Aljustrel locations on the Southern Highway (A2).

The project was designed from the ground up to directly address the increased demand for electric mobility solutions for long-distance journeys, mitigating range barriers on the country's main road corridors.

New charging stations

The new charging stations have been equipped with advanced technology to drastically reduce driver downtime. Depending on the specifications and the technical energy-reception capacity of each vehicle, the system allows recovery of a substantial percentage of battery range in less than 20 minutes.

To optimise the user experience, the structures have been fully integrated into highway service areas, featuring covered parking spaces, enhanced public lighting, and integrated payment systems.

The expansion of the network was highlighted by the Minister of Infrastructure, Miguel Pinto Luz, who emphasised the crucial need to strengthen these public support infrastructure to keep pace with the accelerated adoption of electric vehicles, noting that Portugal is currently among the leading markets in Europe for electric mobility penetration.

João Marques da Silva, Co-CEO of Galp and a representative of the national oil company, highlighted the geographical impact of the completed works. "We have completed a corridor linking the country from north to south with a fast, convenient and reliable charging network, prepared to support the growth of electric mobility," stated the director.

This project is part of Galp's energy transition strategy for the Iberian Peninsula, whose accelerated expansion has already allowed its Iberian network to exceed 10,000 public and private charging points in Portuguese and Spanish territory.