If we zoom in a bit, we notice the most important point. ABB started installing chargers 10 (!!) years before Kempower.
Furthermore, the majority of ABB’s chargers are AC chargers.
TL;DR: Nearly half of all energy charged throughout Kempower’s history came from this year. There could potentially be as many DC chargers as ABB as early as next year, despite the 10-year head start. Kempower’s charged energy is growing the fastest among the trio. ABB e-Mobility reported a -€26 million loss in Q3.
Even more important than these are the coming years. ABB and Alpitronic do offer modular systems, but Kempower has been delivering them from the very beginning. It’s only a matter of time before other operators switch to them instead of individual chargers. I see next year as that point in time.
1. Kempower (Finland)
Kempower has quickly emerged as one of the world’s most significant providers of DC high-power charging, especially in Europe and North America.
-
Start of installations: The first commercial public charging station was opened in Norway in July 2020. The company’s roots lie in Kemppi Oy’s welding technology, and research into EV charging began as early as the start of the 2010s.
-
Number of chargers: Kempower is estimated to have approximately 45,000–50,000 installed charging points (satellites) globally by the end of 2025.
-
Energy charged 2025: 519.5 GWh was charged between January and September 2025. The forecast for the full year is approximately 700–750 GWh.
-
Growth rate (2024 vs 2025): * Energy: Growth has been a staggering 94% (compared to 268 GWh in Jan–Sep 2024).
- Number of chargers: The installed base has grown by about 30–40% per year.
-
Energy per charger (2025): Approximately 15.5 MWh per charging point per year. (This figure is lower than competitors’ because, in Kempower’s system, power is often distributed among several satellites).
2. ABB E-mobility (Switzerland/Sweden)
ABB is a market veteran and historically the largest player in traditional DC charging.
-
Start of installations: ABB started its EV charging business in 2010 and installed the first Terra 51 fast chargers around 2010–2011.
-
Number of chargers: According to September 2025 data, ABB has approximately 69,000 DC chargers (fast chargers) installed worldwide. (If AC chargers are included, the number exceeds one million).
-
Energy charged 2025: Estimated at approximately 6.0 TWh (6,000 GWh). In the September 2025 review, the company reported a cumulative total energy of 4.59 TWh.
-
Growth rate (2024 vs 2025): * Energy: Approximately 65–70% growth in charged energy.
- Number of chargers: Approximately 25% growth in the number of DC units.
-
Energy per charger (2025): Approximately 87 MWh per DC charger. ABB’s figures are high because many of their devices are heavy-duty 150–360 kW units.
3. Alpitronic (Italy)
Alpitronic (Hypercharger brand) is currently the European market leader in public high-power charging (e.g., Ionity and ABC-lataus use these).
-
Start of installations: The first public Hypercharger was installed in Merano, Italy, in 2018. The product itself was launched in 2017.
-
Number of chargers: The company overtook Tesla in installed high-power points in Europe in 2024. At the end of 2025, active chargers are estimated to be around 86,000 units (including North American expansion).
-
Energy charged 2025: Estimated at approximately 6.0 TWh. (The figures are nearly level with ABB, but Alpitronic’s growth is steeper).
-
Growth rate (2024 vs 2025): * Energy: Approximately 75–80% growth.
- Number of chargers: Approximately 50% growth in the installed base within a year.
-
Energy per charger (2025): Approximately 70 MWh per charger. Alpitronic’s chargers have a very high utilization rate along motorways.
Summary Comparison (Estimates 2025)
| Feature | Kempower | ABB (DC only) | Alpitronic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start year | 2020 | 2010 | 2018 |
| Number of chargers | ~47,000 (points) | ~69,000 (units) | ~86,000 (units) |
| Growth in charged energy | ~94% (highest) | ~68% | ~78% |
| Energy / charger (yr) | 15.5 MWh | 87 MWh (highest) | 70 MWh |
Note: Kempower’s “energy per charger” figure is lower because their modular architecture distributes power among multiple posts (satellites). ABB and Alpitronic more frequently sell compact “all-in-one” cabinets with higher unit-specific power. However, Kempower is currently growing the fastest in relative terms when measured by the amount of energy charged.