Daily EV news · US · 3 September 2026

Brooklyn based HEVO Inc. has been granted US Patent No. 12,703,258 B2 covering a wireless charging network that links charging stations, location enabled vehicles and a central server to manage charging sessions. The patented system allows vehicles to request wireless charging while the server evaluates station availability, occupancy and proximity to coordinate activities, and includes foreign object detection that automatically stops power transfer when an obstruction is detected. The patent expands HEVO's intellectual property portfolio for its Rezonant wireless charging hardware and Journey software platform.

Why it matters: The patent strengthens HEVO's position in the emerging wireless charging segment, giving the firm exclusive rights to networked coordination features that could influence procurement specifications for depot and on street wireless infrastructure. Foreign object detection and automated safety protocols may become baseline requirements in future tenders as operators seek to de risk wireless deployments.

Automaker-backed Ionna led J.D. Power's 2026 US Electric Vehicle Experience Public Charging Study with a score of 807 out of 1,000, ahead of Mercedes-Benz and Rivian Adventure Network, while Tesla's Supercharger fell to fourth with 701 against a segment average of 666. The study surveyed 6,594 EV and plug-in hybrid owners across 10 categories including safety and nearby amenities. Ionna, founded in 2024 by BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis and Toyota, opened its first Rechargery site in October 2024.

Why it matters: The results signal that newer OEM-backed networks may challenge Tesla's long-held dominance in user satisfaction, potentially reshaping procurement priorities for site hosts and fleet operators evaluating charging partnerships. CPOs and developers should monitor whether automaker-affiliated brands can scale their high satisfaction scores as they expand beyond initial flagship locations.

Eric Garrison tested NIO's fifth generation battery swap station and BYD's flash charging hub in Shanghai, using a Zeekr 7X and a NIO Firefly. The BYD session charged the Zeekr from near zero to 82% in 14 minutes and 39 seconds, reaching output in the hundreds of kilowatts. The comparison, shared on YouTube, underscores the gap between Chinese EV infrastructure and what is available in the United States.

Why it matters: The real world demonstration of sub 15 minute charging and automated battery swaps at scale shows the operational benchmarks Chinese OEMs and charge point operators are already meeting. For Western CPOs and site developers, it signals the speed and convenience thresholds that will shape customer expectations and competitive positioning as Chinese brands expand globally.

San Francisco installed its first two curbside chargers nearly a year before a March ceremony where Mayor Daniel Lurie announced a new ordinance centralising permits under the Municipal Transportation Agency. The city aims for 100 curbside chargers by 2030, a pace Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman questioned at a City Hall hearing, noting other cities already operate hundreds of on street devices. Delays stem from limited permit staff, street space competition, electrical constraints and fragmented departmental authority, alongside broader California regulatory challenges.

Why it matters: The stark contrast between San Francisco's two chargers and the hundreds deployed elsewhere highlights procurement and permitting bottlenecks that slow public charging rollout. Centralised permitting and clearer departmental ownership may offer a template for CPOs and local authorities struggling with similar installation delays.

Walmart installed 368 public fast-charging ports across its US stores in the second quarter, trailing only Tesla among networks, and has now opened its 100th owned and operated fast-charging station across 20 states. A test visit to a Freehold Township, New Jersey Supercenter resulted in a 40 minute session that added zero charge to a Toyota bZ Woodland, highlighting operational teething troubles despite the retailer's rapid rollout momentum.

Why it matters: Walmart's aggressive expansion into EV charging infrastructure demonstrates the scale at which big-box retail can deploy chargers, yet the reported reliability failure underscores the operational and maintenance challenges that CPOs and site hosts must address to convert footfall into revenue and repeat custom.

Swedish freight technology company Einride announced on 18 August that it will deploy 500 Tesla Semis for Amazon delivery routes in California, Texas, New Jersey, Illinois, and Georgia, marking the largest publicly disclosed commitment for Tesla's Class 8 electric truck. The first trucks are expected in September, with the remainder delivered over 24 months, expanding Einride's electric fleet from around 250 trucks to roughly 750. The deployment surpasses WattEV's previously announced 370 truck Tesla Semi order for California port drayage.

Why it matters: This 500 vehicle order signals growing confidence in electric heavy duty logistics at scale and will require coordinated charging infrastructure across multiple states to support Amazon's delivery operations. The staged rollout over two years offers a benchmark for CPOs planning depot charging capacity and uptime requirements for commercial fleet electrification.

Octopus Energy has released Octopus Charge, a free iOS and Android app that consolidates access to 211,221 public EV chargers in the United States and Canada. The app integrates 24 partner networks including Shell Recharge, ChargePoint, EVgo, Blink, bp pulse, FLO, EV Connect, Circle K, and Circuit Électrique, allowing drivers to locate, start sessions, and pay without additional fees beyond each network's listed price. Features include an EV route planner, real time availability, and filters for charging speed, connector type, and network operator.

Why it matters: For CPOs and network operators, the app creates a unified discovery and payment layer that could shift driver behaviour towards networks offering competitive pricing and reliable uptime data. Procurement teams evaluating interoperability solutions now have a live North American benchmark for multi network aggregation at scale.