Daily EV news · US · 6 August 2026

i-charging, headquartered in Atlanta and Portugal, has secured Intertek ETL certification for its i-light charger, confirming compliance with UL 2202, UL 2231 and CSA C22.2#346 electrical safety standards required in the US and Canadian markets. The i-light unit delivers up to 1.5 MW per output via MCS or up to 800 kW via CCS, targeting medium and heavy-duty EVs with a 10-inch touchscreen and optional 37-inch transparent display. The certification, announced 6 August 2026, removes a regulatory barrier and allows legal installation and operation across North America.

Why it matters: ETL certification is a mandatory gate for high-power DC chargers in US and Canadian procurements, so i-charging can now compete for fleet and depot tenders requiring MCS or 800 kW CCS outputs. Operators gain a certified 1.5 MW option for heavy-duty projects without waiting for field approvals.

ChargePoint has partnered with Mercedes-Benz to provide business customers in the UK and Germany with an end to end fleet charging solution, covering site planning, installation, operation and ongoing service. The offer uses ChargePoint's AC and DC hardware alongside its smart energy management and fleet charging software, with potential integration of solar PV and battery storage to reduce costs. The companies plan to expand the partnership to additional markets in 2025.

Why it matters: The turnkey model removes the need for fleet operators to manage multiple vendors across the charging infrastructure lifecycle, potentially simplifying procurement for businesses electrifying company car fleets. The partnership signals growing collaboration between automakers and CPOs to bundle vehicles with charging infrastructure as a single commercial offer.

A new owner of a 2015 Fiat 500e asked on Reddit whether the vehicle could use Tesla chargers, prompting a community explanation of its charging constraints. Commenters confirmed the 2015 model supports only AC level 2 charging via J1772 connectors and Tesla destination chargers with an adapter, but cannot use DC fast chargers at all. The exchange serves as a practical guide for buyers evaluating older electric vehicles and their compatibility with existing charging infrastructure.

Why it matters: The discussion underscores the importance of backward compatibility and connector standards for charge point operators serving a growing secondhand EV market. Procurement teams planning public or workplace networks must account for older vehicles limited to AC charging, ensuring J1772 availability alongside newer CCS and NACS ports.

EVgo will install hundreds of Tesla V4 Superchargers at its stations in major US cities, becoming one of the first US networks to build Tesla's own charger design under the Supercharger for Business programme. Each V4 unit will deliver up to 500 kW at 1,000 volts and feature Magic Dock technology for both NACS and CCS1 vehicles. Construction begins autumn 2025, with first sites opening in the second half of 2026, as part of EVgo's broader expansion backed by a $1.25 billion federal loan to add 7,500 new charging stalls nationwide.

Why it matters: The licensing arrangement shows a new procurement route for charge point operators seeking Tesla hardware without full franchise commitments, while the 500 kW specification and dual connector compatibility may influence technical requirements in upcoming tenders. EVgo reports 700% demand growth over three years, signalling accelerating utilisation that could inform business case assumptions for public and private site hosts.

Rhode Island has the densest EV charging network in the United States, with 1,018 charging ports serving 8,300 registered EVs, or 746 EVs per 100,000 residents, according to a study by Ladah Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Las Vegas. Despite the highest density, the state ranked 24th overall nationally with a total score of 92.17, reflecting moderate EV adoption alongside strong infrastructure readiness. Mississippi, West Virginia and Louisiana led the overall rankings.

Why it matters: The study highlights Rhode Island as a market with infrastructure capacity ahead of demand, signalling potential for CPOs to scale operations as EV adoption grows. The density metric underscores the state's readiness to absorb rapid EV growth, a key consideration for procurement teams evaluating network expansion opportunities.

Travel centre operator Pilot, automaker General Motors and charging provider EVgo have opened more than 300 fast-charging sites with 1,300 stalls across 40 US states since launching the network in 2022. The rollout covers approximately 75% of the contiguous US, spanning over 2.2 million square miles, and marks the halfway point towards a target of up to 2,000 stalls at up to 500 locations nationwide.

Why it matters: The milestone demonstrates the pace at which a major multi-party charging deployment can scale across a continental market, offering procurement teams a benchmark for large-scale rollout timelines. The partnership model between a fuel retailer, OEM and CPO also highlights how site access and capital can combine to accelerate network density.

The Maryland Department of Transportation has released the state's first Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Plan, mapping EV charging needs through 2031 and coordinating deployment across counties, utilities and private partners. The plan includes a new Maryland EV Charging Suitability Tool that identifies existing public chargers and priority expansion areas, and builds on the state's National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure programme, which will invest approximately 63 million dollars in federal funding along corridors and within communities. MDOT will update the plan every three years.

Why it matters: The statewide plan and interactive mapping tool give CPOs and contractors clear visibility of priority deployment zones and public funding flows, helping target bids and site selection. The 63 million dollar NEVI allocation signals sustained procurement activity across Maryland over the next five years.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has allocated $4 million through its Zero-Emission Vehicle Rebate and Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure programmes, with $400,000 supporting 55 battery-electric vehicles for 14 municipalities and $3.6 million funding 74 Level 2 charging ports and 24 fast chargers across 23 municipalities statewide. In the Finger Lakes region, Tompkins County received $22,500 for three battery-electric vehicles, the Town of Victor received $7,500 for one vehicle, and the Village of Naples received $18,490 to install four Level 2 charging ports. Since 2016, the Municipal Zero-Emission Vehicle Rebate Programme has awarded more than $2.25 million, supporting 286 electric vehicles and 115 plug-in hybrids.

Why it matters: The $3.6 million infrastructure allocation represents a significant procurement opportunity for CPOs and installers targeting municipal contracts in New York, with 98 charging ports being deployed across 23 communities. The programme's track record of awarding over $2.25 million since 2016 signals sustained state commitment to municipal fleet electrification and charging infrastructure expansion.