KARLSRUHE, Germany & HAMBURG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 3, 2026--
On 24 February 2026, EnBW and the charging infrastructure manufacturer XCHG Limited (“XCharge”) (Nasdaq: XCH) signed a long-term framework agreement. The multi-year partnership is set to strengthen EnBW’s strategic diversification in the area of e-mobility, while for XCharge the cooperation with the leading German provider underlines its successful market entry in Germany. The focus of the cooperation is on providing reliable charging stations in the highest performance class and jointly developing hardware and software.
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“Our aim is to create an even more reliable and convenient fast-charging experience for our customers that simply works on a daily basis,” explained Martin Roemheld, EnBW’s Chief Executive Officer responsible for e-mobility. “In XCharge, we are gaining a partner who meets our high quality standards and will help us to make our fast-charging network even more secure and resilient.”
Partnership founded on a successful field test
The cooperation is based on a comprehensive test program that has been running for over two years. Ten XCharge C7 Ultra-Fast Chargers have been in operation since December 2025 as part of the field test across four EnBW locations: in addition to two fast-charging stations at EnBW City in Stuttgart, locations on the A8 in Rutesheim, at the Durlach Center in Karlsruhe and at Karlsruhe railway station were included in the test. The charging stations are capable of delivering up to 400 kW of power and have proven to be very reliable in more than 20,000 charging processes.
“The partnership with the German market leader is an important milestone for us,” said Albina Iljasov, Head of Europe at XCharge. The positive results from the field test confirm the reliability and performance of our charging stations. As part of the European charging infrastructure ecosystem, we are therefore particularly looking forward to working with EnBW so that we can continue to promote e-mobility.”
EnBW broadens its supplier base
The new framework agreement covers the procurement of hardware and software from XCharge, focusing on charging stations with an output of 400 kW and potentially more. Both partners will jointly develop the technical systems while benefiting from each other’s expertise. In addition, EnBW will have exclusive access to the manufacturer’s new developments.
EnBW is broadening its supplier base with this partnership. “Against the backdrop of global uncertainties and volatile supply chains, it is becoming increasingly important to diversify the supplier base,” stressed Roemheld. “This broader base will allow us to secure the quality of our fast-charging network in the long term and bolster our resilience at the same time.” EnBW’s first new fast-charging parks featuring XCharge charging stations will move into the implementation phase in the next few weeks.
With the EnBW HyperNet and more than 8,000 fast-charging points, EnBW already operates the largest fast-charging network in Germany. The company wants to provide up to 20,000 fast-charging points throughout Germany by 2030.
XCharge a European partner with local commitment
With its two headquarters in Hamburg and Austin (Texas), XCharge is a key player within the European charging infrastructure ecosystem. In Europe, the company has test centers and offices in Hamburg and Madrid, plus a team spread across various European countries. By opening a production site in Valencia, XCharge plans to produce all charging stations for the European market in Europe in the future in order to further improve the sustainability of the supply chain.
About XCharge
XCharge is a global supplier of high-performance electric vehicle charging solutions and energy storage solutions. The company has headquarters in Hamburg and Austin, working with a globally networked team to drive innovation in the field of energy and help its customers achieve long-term success.
About the EnBW HyperNet
The EnBW HyperNet® already provides motorists with access to more than 900,000 charging points in Europe. The EnBW mobility+ app always finds the nearest charging option in these countries. Drivers can also use the app for convenient and contactless payment. After a one-off registration, customers can also simply connect their vehicle at most of EnBW’s own fast-charging points and immediately start charging. Transparent prices per kilowatt-hour apply at all charging points within the EnBW HyperNet.
The energy company operates Germany’s largest fast-charging network and is continuously expanding the EnBW HyperNet in line with demand. With the SMATRICS EnBW joint venture, it also operates the largest fast-charging network in Austria, where it is working diligently to expand the nationwide charging infrastructure.
The EnBW mobility+ service regularly comes out on top in independent tests, including being crowned best e-mobility provider in Germany for the seventh time in a row. It has also been rated “very good” as a charging infrastructure provider by connect (connect 12/2025 issue) and won awards for the best HPC charging tariffs (triple test victory for EnBW mobility+ charging rates S, M and L, elektroautomobil, 01/2025), best HPC charging network operator (AUTO BILD 09/2025 and 07/2022), best charging infrastructure operator in Germany (AUTO BILD 29/2024, connect 11/2022 and 12/2021), best charging app among independent providers (AUTO BILD 26.06.2025 and Computerbild 12/2023) and access to the largest charging network in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (AUTO BILD 27/2023, 22/2022 and 20/2021).
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Such statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about XCHG Limited's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "objective," "target," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in XCHG Limited’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and XCHG Limited does not undertake any duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.
EnBW and XCharge enter into long-term partnership: Albina Iljasov, Head of XCharge Europe, and Martin Roemheld, Chief Executive Officer E-Mobility EnBW, source: XCharge Europe GmbH
BRUSSELS (AP) — The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes across the Middle East are quickly dragging Europe in, forcing the continent into defensive action to protect military bases and evacuate citizens caught up in the conflict.
The Middle East is home to some of Europe's key trading partners, and a number of strategic trading routes. Many Europeans live in cities such as Beirut, Dubai or Jerusalem, while large communities from countries including Turkey, Egypt and the Gulf states have settled across Europe. Europeans weren’t consulted on this U.S.-Israeli operation but are now dealing with the fallout.
While refusing to directly join the war, Britain, France and Germany have said they would work with the United State to help stop Iran’s attacks. The U.K. will allow U.S. forces to use British bases to attack Iran’s missiles and launch sites.
But Europe itself is not immune. Cyprus, holder of the European Union’s rotating presidency, had to insist that it was not involved in the conflict after a Shahed-type drone damaged a U.K. air base on the island’s southern coast over the weekend. The Shaheds were developed by Iran but have already been used in Europe, by Russia in its war on Ukraine.
Wary of other attacks at home, some European countries are also beefing up security at train stations and airports.
Still, almost no European leader has criticized the U.S.-Israeli attacks. Many are satisfied to see the downfall of an Iranian regime that has for years arrested European citizens and challenged Europe’s economic interests.
Spain has been a rare dissenting voice. “One can be against a hateful regime,” Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Sunday, “and at the same time, be against a military intervention that is unjustifiable, dangerous and outside of international law.”
At the same time, helping to foster stability in the volatile Middle East region is a European priority. Fears over a sustained hike in oil prices, and the possibility of a new wave of unpredictable migration mean that the continent must remain involved.
Europe’s major short-term priority is ensuring the safety of thousands of citizens caught up in the war as it spreads.
Concerns about getting people out were raised during an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers over the weekend. No joint evacuation effort was launched, but one could be needed imminently.
Germany says that about 30,000 German tourists are stuck on cruise ships, in hotels or at closed airports and cannot get back home because of the conflict. Most of them are in the Middle East but some are further afield, stranded because their travel connections run through Abu Dhabi, Qatar or Dubai. A military evacuation was not possible due to airspace closures.
The Czech Republic, meanwhile, has sent two planes to Egypt and Jordan to bring home Czech nationals, dozens of whom have traveled by bus from Israel. Another four planes were to be sent to Oman to pick up more of the estimated 6,700 Czechs in the region.
Iran has been threatening ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil traded passes, and ships have been attacked there. Calls have mounted for the EU to help protect merchant vessels.
In response, France was sending two more warships to beef up Operation Aspides, the bloc’s naval mission in the region. But they would only deploy to the distant Red Sea and Gulf of Aden — gateways to the Suez Canal, which links the Red Sea to the Mediterranean — to join three other ships already in place.
Operation Aspides was set up two years ago, to help defend maritime traffic against possible attacks by Houthi rebels based in Yemen. But while the Houthis have expressed support for Iran, they did not immediately announce any military action on its behalf.
Discussion is underway on a review of the operation’s mandate and a possible toughening of its rules of engagement, but no changes are expected soon.
Maintaining stability in the wider Middle East is a key European concern. Iran’s acts of retaliation in several countries have been widely condemned.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is expected to convene a meeting with Gulf Cooperation Council countries at foreign minister level later this week, as the bloc continues to try to reassure Iran’s neighbors and other vulnerable countries nearby.
“Iran’s attacks of a number of countries in the Middle East are inexcusable. The events must not lead to further escalation that could threaten the region, Europe and beyond, with unpredictable consequences,” Kallas said after chairing Sunday’s emergency talks.
The EU intends to drive diplomatic efforts to help reduce tensions, and still aims to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons despite its nuclear development deal falling apart after the Trump administration pulled the U.S. out.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in an interview that the United States’ and Israel’s war against Iran is crucial for security in Europe. He said the allies could support the effort even without direct involvement in military operations, through logistics and access.
Rutte, a former prime minister of the Netherlands, said he unreservedly approves of Trump’s decision to attack Iran and kill its supreme leader, raising the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran.
“It would be a stranglehold on Israel. It could potentially mean Israel’s defeat,” Rutte told German public broadcaster ARD in its Brussels studio on Monday.
When asked the possibility of NATO entering the war, Rutte said absolutely no one believed that NATO would be involved. “This is Iran, this is the Gulf, this is outside NATO territory,” he said.
NATO troops deployed for 18 years to Afghanistan and its 2011 air campaign helped topple Libya’s late leader Moammar Gadhafi.
Officials say the EU has no preferred candidate to take over in Tehran, and in any case it’s too early to tell who might be best to back as future leader. The foreign ministers primarily expressed “solidarity with the Iranian people.”
They offered support to “their fundamental aspirations for a future where their universal human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully respected.”
The Europeans insist that a genuine popular movement against the regime arose in recent months but that it was shut down in an unprecedented wave of violence. Thousands were killed and tens of thousands detained.
One thing is clear. The EU is unlikely to back any leadership pushed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. The IRGC was added the bloc’s terror list last month, making it almost impossible for the Europeans to take them seriously as an interlocutor.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)
A Fighter Jet takes off from the U.K.'s RAF Akrotiri air base after it was hit by a drone strike early morning near Limassol, Cyprus, Monday, March, 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
A traveler checks departure times as many flights are cancelled at Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, as many airlines canceled flights due to the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
