Daily EV news · US · 29 January 2026
EV Charging
North Carolina to relaunch business EV charging grant scheme this spring
The North Carolina Department of Transportation will issue a request for proposals this spring for businesses willing to install public EV chargers with state financial assistance. The programme is supported by federal funding and marks a resumption of the state's support for commercial charging infrastructure deployment.
Why it matters
The RFP creates a fresh procurement opportunity for charging operators and installers in North Carolina, with state co-funding likely to lower capital barriers for site hosts and accelerate network expansion across the state.
US DC fast charger ports jumped 30 per cent in 2025 with over 18,000 added
US networks installed more than 18,000 new DC fast charging ports in 2025, up from roughly 14,000 in 2024, according to Paren's latest industry report. Q4 2025 alone saw 5,769 ports deployed, 44 per cent higher than Q4 2024 and exceeding Paren's own 16,700 port forecast for the full year. Tesla beat projections by around 13 per cent, while Mercedes Benz HPC surpassed expectations by 193 per cent and Ionna by 48 per cent.
Why it matters
The accelerating rollout, especially at larger, higher capacity stations, signals sustained infrastructure investment despite cautious EV market sentiment. Procurement teams and CPOs can expect fiercer competition for high throughput sites and faster network expansion from both established and emerging operators.
Washington state awards 12 million dollars for EV chargers at 14 highway locations
Washington state has allocated 12 million dollars in funding to install electric vehicle chargers at 14 highway points across the state. The Seattle Times reported the procurement award, which forms part of the state's effort to expand charging infrastructure along major transport corridors.
Why it matters
The 14 site award creates immediate installation and supply opportunities for CPOs and equipment vendors targeting highway corridor projects. The multi million dollar state procurement signals continued public investment in fast charging networks along key travel routes.
Washington State selects EV charging projects for federal funding allocation
Washington State has announced the selection of electric vehicle charging projects that will receive federal funding, though the article excerpt does not specify the number of projects, funding amounts, or programme details. The decision was reported by Washington State Standard and distributed via Google News.
Why it matters
Federal funding allocations signal which charging corridors and site types US states are prioritising, helping CPOs and contractors identify upcoming procurement pipelines and competitive positioning in Washington's EV infrastructure buildout.
PSE&G scales New Jersey's first utility-led EV programme to 45,000 chargers with make-ready support
Public Service Enterprise Group has expanded its Clean Energy Future Electric Vehicle Program, approved by New Jersey regulators in 2021, to deploy approximately 45,000 chargers across residential, business and public sites in its service territory. The utility offers customer incentives for home and business installations alongside make-ready support that covers infrastructure upgrade costs. Dawn Neville, PSE&G's senior manager of electric transportation, describes the programme as requiring flexibility and persistence to scale from pilot to full deployment.
Why it matters
The programme demonstrates a utility-led procurement model combining customer incentives with grid-side make-ready investment, offering a template for other US utilities navigating regulatory approval for large scale charging rollouts. For charge point operators and contractors, PSE&G's 45,000 charger target represents significant installation and upgrade work across New Jersey's largest utility service area.
Electric Vehicles
InspireNOLA Charter Schools deploys 42 electric school buses in Louisiana
InspireNOLA Charter Schools has put 42 electric school buses into service in Louisiana, marking a significant fleet electrification in the US charter school sector. The deployment was reported by The Buzz EV News, though specific charging infrastructure details and funding sources were not disclosed in the available excerpt.
Why it matters
A 42 bus rollout signals substantial charging infrastructure demand at school depots, creating procurement opportunities for depot charging hardware, installation and managed services. Charter school electrification projects often rely on EPA Clean School Bus grants, pointing to a replicable funding model for CPOs targeting the education vertical.
New York senator calls electric school bus mandate largest unfunded burden on property taxpayers
New York State Senator O'Mara told the education budget panel that the state's electric school bus mandate represents the largest unfunded mandate ever imposed, warning it will place severe financial strain on local property taxpayers. The senator's testimony comes as districts face requirements to electrify fleets without dedicated state funding to cover vehicle and infrastructure costs.
Why it matters
School districts are major fleet operators and potential anchor customers for charging infrastructure, but unfunded mandates may slow procurement or force districts to seek alternative financing models. The political pushback signals potential delays or amendments to New York's electrification timeline, affecting CPO planning and utility investment in the education sector.
Grid & Energy
Ford names Lisa Drake to lead new BESS manufacturing unit repurposing underutilised battery plants
Ford Motor Company has appointed Lisa Drake as president of a new energy division announced in December, which will repurpose two underutilised battery plants in the United States to manufacture battery energy storage systems for commercial and residential use. The shift follows slower than expected adoption of fully battery powered electric vehicles and Ford's strategic pivot toward hybrids and internal combustion engine vehicles. The move redirects manufacturing capacity originally built during a period of optimistic EV adoption forecasts.
Why it matters
The repurposing of automotive battery manufacturing capacity into stationary storage production could increase BESS supply and potentially lower costs for commercial charging operators seeking on site energy storage. Ford's pivot also signals broader market recalibration that may affect future battery supply chains and pricing for EV infrastructure projects.
Policy & Market
US automakers submit USMCA compliance comments to government amid trade review
Automotive News reports that vehicle manufacturers have filed formal responses to the US government regarding the United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade framework. The submissions come as part of an ongoing review process affecting cross border automotive production and supply chains across North America. Specific details of manufacturer positions were not disclosed in the available excerpt.
Why it matters
USMCA rules govern regional content requirements for vehicles and components, which directly affects where EV batteries and charging equipment can be sourced to qualify for incentives. Any changes to the agreement could reshape procurement strategies for charging networks planning North American rollouts.