Rome, January 5, 2026 — Italy’s antitrust authority has opened an investigation into A2A and two of its subsidiaries over alleged abusive conduct in the market for electric vehicle charging services.
The Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM) said it is examining whether A2A E-Mobility and A2A Energia engaged in margin squeeze and discriminatory practices in breach of Article 102 TFEU and Italy’s competition law. The case follows a complaint filed in January 2024 by an independent mobility service provider active in EV charging services.
According to the authority, A2A E-Mobility — which installs and operates public charging infrastructure — may hold a dominant position in multiple local markets, particularly in Lombardy. AGCM data show that A2A controls close to 60% of low-power public charging points in Milan and more than 65% in Brescia, with similarly high shares across numerous local catchment areas.
Margin Squeeze Concerns
The authority said preliminary evidence suggests that wholesale roaming tariffs charged by A2A E-Mobility to rival mobility service providers may exceed the retail prices offered by A2A Energia to end users through its own charging app. This pricing structure could prevent competing providers from operating profitably and restrict their ability to match A2A’s consumer-facing offers.
AGCM also raised concerns over A2A Energia’s subscription-based charging packages, which allegedly deepen the margin squeeze by offering per-kilowatt-hour prices below wholesale rates. These offers are reportedly further discounted for customers who already purchase electricity or gas from A2A.
The conduct under scrutiny may amount to exclusionary abuse by foreclosing non-integrated competitors from the downstream charging services market, the authority said.
Local Dominance and Market Access
AGCM highlighted that A2A’s strong presence in major urban areas makes it an unavoidable trading partner for mobility service providers seeking national or local coverage. The authority also noted A2A’s vertically integrated structure and its historical presence in electricity distribution in Milan and Brescia as factors reinforcing its market position.
The investigation will assess whether A2A’s pricing practices hinder competition, limit interoperability between charging networks and slow the development of innovative business models in electric mobility.
Next Steps
The probe targets A2A E-Mobility, A2A Energia, and parent company A2A, which the authority said may be liable under parental responsibility principles. The investigation must be concluded by June 30, 2027.
Source: https://www.agcm.it/dotcmsdoc/bollettini/2026/1-26.pdf
