Organisation launches framework tender for 400kW EV charging stations
Framework seeks up to three suppliers to deliver, install and commission ultra-high-power EV chargers and services for heavy-duty and commercial use.
Framework seeks up to three suppliers to deliver, install and commission ultra-high-power EV chargers and services for heavy-duty and commercial use.
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ORLEN Unipetrol RPA s.r.o. has launched a multi-supplier framework for ultra-high-power electric vehicle charging, seeking up to three partners to deliver, install and commission 400 kW all-in-one stations and provide related services at yet-unspecified locations.
Published on 22nd July 2026, the contract notice sets out plans for a framework agreement covering the delivery, installation and commissioning of all-in-one charging stations with a minimum power of 400 kW. The deal also includes associated services, signalling a requirement for long-term support rather than one-off hardware purchases.
The 400 kW minimum places these chargers firmly at the heavy-duty end of the market, suited to vehicles such as buses and trucks as well as high-utilisation commercial fleets. At this power level, operators can turn vehicles around quickly, a key factor for depot operations and long-distance freight or coach services where downtime is costly.
The framework is open to up to three suppliers, allowing ORLEN Unipetrol RPA s.r.o. to balance competition with resilience of supply. A multi-supplier structure makes it easier to standardise on certain technical requirements while retaining flexibility to scale deployment and manage risks in a still-maturing technology area.
Although the summary does not specify the number of sites, the geographic scope or the duration of the agreement, the framework model points to a sustained rollout over several years. The reference to related services suggests that performance, reliability and lifecycle support will matter as much as headline charging speed.
The focus on very high power and all-in-one configurations mirrors the way many public transport operators are now approaching electrification. Recent procurements across Europe show bus companies and transport authorities building dedicated charging hubs designed around intensive, timetable-driven operations.
In July 2026, Busbetrieb Josef Ettenhuber GmbH published a contract notice for comprehensive charging infrastructure for battery-electric buses at its depots. The project spans planning, installation and maintenance services across multiple lots, underlining how depot electrification is now treated as a full infrastructure programme rather than a simple equipment purchase.
Also in July 2026, Dopravní podnik města Olomouce, a.s. set out plans in a contract notice to construct charging stations for electric buses at four locations. The scope covers the necessary supplies and services as well as the preparation of construction design documentation in line with specific regulations, pointing to the engineering complexity of integrating high-capacity chargers into existing urban networks.
Earlier, in June 2026, Verkehrsbetriebe St. Gallen launched a procurement to acquire charging infrastructure for battery-electric buses, combining depot chargers, mobile charging stations and project services such as planning, installation and maintenance. By bundling hardware with project and lifecycle support, the operator is building flexibility into how and where buses can be charged.
Together, these bus-sector projects illustrate the operating environments that 400 kW all-in-one chargers are likely to serve: depots and hubs where fleets of large vehicles must be charged quickly and predictably. The framework from ORLEN Unipetrol RPA s.r.o. slots into that landscape by seeking heavy-duty equipment and accompanying services that can support demanding commercial use.
ORLEN Unipetrol RPA s.r.o. is not alone in specifying all-in-one charging systems. In February 2026, Comune di Bari issued a framework agreement for the supply of all-in-one electric charging stations and management software for the local public transport service. That combination of integrated hardware and digital control reflects a shift towards chargers as managed assets within wider mobility systems.
Utilities and energy providers are also locking in arrangements for fast-charging hardware and services. In April 2026, WIEN ENERGIE GmbH sought framework agreements for the supply and service of DC fast charging stations to enhance its charging infrastructure network. The scope covers hardware delivery alongside associated installation and operational services, suggesting a long-term, programme-level approach.
At a national level, transport authorities are bundling charging infrastructure into multi-service contracts. In March 2026, Trafikverket Myndighet published a contract notice for a framework agreement under which suppliers will install charging stations, carry out related construction work, and provide operation, maintenance and billing solutions. Here, the business of running chargers is as central as putting them in the ground.
Against this backdrop, the ORLEN Unipetrol RPA s.r.o. framework stands out for the sheer power rating of the stations it seeks, but structurally it follows the same pattern: multi-year relationships with a limited pool of suppliers, combining delivery, installation, commissioning and ongoing services in a single commercial envelope.
While some buyers procure chargers directly, others are turning to concession models that shift more responsibility and risk onto private operators. Under these arrangements, concessionaires typically invest in, deploy and operate the infrastructure while commercialising charging services on public land.
In April 2026, Stadt Garbsen issued a contract notice seeking a concessionaire for the construction and operation of public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. The project envisages 47 locations with defined charging configurations and operational commitments running until 2038, illustrating the long time horizons now attached to urban charging networks.
More recently, in July 2026, the Assemblée nationale launched a procurement for a concessionaire to conduct studies, deploy, operate and commercialise electric vehicle charging stations at its own risk. This kind of institutional estate project shows how charging is becoming part of core facilities planning alongside security, ICT and building services.
Other public bodies are focusing on equipping staff and visitor car parks, depots and administrative sites with a mix of slow and fast chargers, often under framework agreements that can be called off as fleets evolve. In that context, ORLEN Unipetrol RPA s.r.o.'s focus on very high power positions its framework as a potential complement to softer charging layers rather than a replacement.
Building out ultra-high-power charging is not only about plugs and parking bays. It also depends on robust power conversion equipment, storage and support services able to keep critical systems running.
In January 2026, ESCOTA Société des Autoroutes Estérel, Côte d'Azur, Provence, Alpes put in place a framework agreement for the supply and commissioning of inverters and batteries for its motorway network and buildings, explicitly excluding installation work. The focus on supplying and bringing into service core electrical equipment highlights how motorway operators are strengthening the backbone that future roadside infrastructure will rely on.
In May 2026, Národní agentura pro komunikační a informační technologie, s. p. published a contract notice for a framework agreement covering service support, technical assistance, preventive inspections, consulting, implementation, operational services and the supply of hardware and software for Benning power sources used in the critical communication infrastructure of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic. Although this contract targets communications systems rather than transport, the emphasis on long-term service, upgrades and resilience is directly relevant to high-power charging networks.
By including related services alongside the delivery and commissioning of 400 kW stations, the ORLEN Unipetrol RPA s.r.o. framework aligns with this broader trend. Buyers are increasingly seeking suppliers who can design, integrate and support complex power systems over many years, not simply ship equipment.
The summary of the ORLEN Unipetrol RPA s.r.o. tender does not yet spell out how many charging locations are planned, where they will be sited or how long the framework will run. As more detail emerges, those points will determine the framework's real impact on heavy-duty electric transport.
For suppliers, the opportunity sits at the intersection of very high-power hardware and service-rich contracts. The presence of similar frameworks for bus depots, public-transport networks, utilities and national transport agencies suggests that technical compatibility, reliability and the ability to integrate with existing energy and billing systems will be at least as important as price.
Taken together, the current wave of procurements points to a maturing European market for high-capacity charging, where frameworks and concessions are the preferred tools to secure long-term investment. The ORLEN Unipetrol RPA s.r.o. framework adds another significant piece to that picture, signalling continued demand for suppliers able to support commercial and heavy-duty electric vehicles at scale.
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