## 5 Conclusions  
This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the electric vehicle recharging infrastructure in the Trentino-South Tyrol region, focusing on data from a three-year period (2021-2023). During this time, the number of charging points grew from 673 to 970, representing a 1.4-fold increase, while the consumed energy surged from 938 MWh to 4133 MWh, a 4.4-fold increase. This significant discrepancy between the growth rates of charging points and energy consumption highlights a rapidly increasing demand for recharging, leading to higher utilization rates per charging point. Given the steady growth of the overall EV fleet, this trend is expected to continue, particularly as the current penetration of battery electric vehicles in Italy is still in its early stages. As more battery electric vehicles enter the market, the demand for efficient and strategically located charging infrastructure will likely intensify, resulting in higher utilization rates and increased revenue potential for charging point operators. The data analysis reveals that the most effective charging point locations are small villages with high tourist attraction (e.g., Riva del Garda, Vipiteno, Badia, Dobbiacco, Ortisei), cities with conveniently located charging stations (e.g., Bolzano, Trento, Merano, Bressanone), and sites close to major travel routes (e.g., Vipiteno, Chiusa). These locations consistently demonstrate higher charging rates and utilization, underscoring the importance of strategic placement in the planning of future charging infrastructure. In terms of utilization patterns, the study found that the median utilization time per charging session for AC stations is approximately three times longer than that for DC chargers (around 100 min versus 30 min), while the median energy delivered per session by DC stations is about three times that of AC stations (27 kWh versus 9 kWh). Despite the differences in charging time and energy delivery between AC and DC categories, the variation within each category remains limited. A daily usage profile resembling a \"mountain\" shape was observed for both AC and DC chargers, with a steep rise in usage beginning at 7 AM (AC) and 8 AM (DC), a flat profile through the day with a slight dip around noon, and a clear decline starting at 4 PM. This pattern is consistent across all days of the week, with Saturdays showing particularly strong occupancy rates, especially for DC chargers. By comparing these findings with simulation results, the study validated the accuracy of predictive models for grid-impact assessments. The results underline the importance of high-quality input data for reliable grid planning and emphasize the need for strategically located charging points to support the ongoing transition to electric mobility. Future research should focus on understanding the long-term grid impacts of increasing EV adoption, exploring the integration of renewable energy with EV charging infrastructure, and refining predictive models to better anticipate future trends. These efforts will be crucial in ensuring the sustainable growth and effective management of EV infrastructure. Conceptualization, A.E.P., A.Z. and W.S. ; methodology, A.E.P., G.R., M.G.P., A.Z. and W.S. ; software, A.E.P. ; validation, A.E.P. and G.R. ; formal analysis A.E.P. and G.R. ; investigation, A.E.P. ; resources, A.E.P. ; data curation, A.E.P. ; writing--original draft preparation, A.E.P., G.R., M.G.P., A.Z. and W.S. ; writing--review and editing, A.E.P., G.R., M.G.P., A.Z. and W.S. ; visualization, A.E.P. ; supervision, A.Z. and W.S. ; project administration, A.Z. and W.S. ; funding acquisition, A.Z. and W.S. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. The monitoring part of the research was funded within the framework of the project Zero Emission LIFE IP LifeAlps LIFE17 IPC/IT/000005, an EU-funded project within the LIFE IP program of the European Commission.