Daily EV news · US · 1 September 2026

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has launched its third and largest National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funding round, offering up to $41.2 million in federal grants for fast charging sites across Greater Minnesota. The programme requires an 80 per cent federal share from Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds and a 20 per cent grantee match. MnDOT has previously awarded more than $16 million across two rounds, supporting 24 fast charging sites along I-94, I-35 and I-90, with eight stations now operational.

Why it matters: This $41.2 million procurement represents the largest single NEVI opportunity in Minnesota to date, targeting rural and regional corridors where charge point operators can secure federal capital support with a one fifth private match. The state's EV fleet grew from 9,000 to 90,000 vehicles since 2018, signalling sustained demand for the infrastructure this round will fund.

ChargePoint and Eaton will supply charging infrastructure for Big Blue Bus, the public transit agency serving Santa Monica and the greater Westside region of Los Angeles County, as part of a $56 million investment in electric transit fleet infrastructure. The project will deploy 130 DC fast charging ports using ChargePoint's Express Plus equipment alongside Eaton's medium voltage switchgear, switchboards and panelboards, supporting the Santa Monica Department of Transportation's goal to operate a fully zero emission fleet by 2032. ChargePoint CEO Rick Wilmer described the deployment as one of the company's largest transit projects to date.

Why it matters: The 130 port order signals sustained demand for high power depot charging at scale and demonstrates how US transit agencies are committing capital to meet zero emission fleet deadlines. For charging suppliers and electrical contractors, the project illustrates the bundled infrastructure scope required to electrify large municipal bus operations.

A Michigan resident renting a Chevrolet Bolt was billed $418 after using a ChargePoint charger at a Hyundai dealership, accessed via EVgo's roaming agreement. The charger's rate was $5 per kilowatt hour and $5 per minute for a 44 minute session on the Bolt's 65 kWh battery. EVgo eventually issued a $405 goodwill refund after the customer disputed the charge, as reported by WXYZ.

Why it matters: Roaming agreements between networks can expose drivers to opaque or extreme pricing set by site hosts, raising questions about transparency obligations and whether CPOs and roaming partners need clearer consumer safeguards to protect brand trust and avoid regulatory scrutiny.