Daily EV news · US · 19 March 2026
EV Charging
BMW i3 offers 400 kW charging but US infrastructure lags at 250 kW maximum
The 2026 BMW i3, built on the Neue Klasse platform with 800 volt architecture, can accept 400 kW DC fast charging to add 250 miles of range in 10 minutes. However, the vast majority of the United States' roughly 60,000 DC fast charging ports cannot deliver that speed, with Tesla Superchargers capped at 250 kW and Electrify America standardising at similar levels as of early 2026.
Why it matters
The mismatch between vehicle capability and installed infrastructure highlights a critical procurement gap for charge point operators: networks must upgrade hardware to 400 kW outputs or risk losing custom from next generation EVs that can charge significantly faster than current plugs allow.
Stellantis opens Tesla Supercharger access for Dodge, Jeep, Ram, FIAT and Maserati EVs in North America
Stellantis has enabled its battery electric vehicles from Dodge, Jeep, Ram, FIAT and Maserati to access the Tesla Supercharger network across the United States and Canada. The move expands fast charging options for Stellantis EV drivers by adding Tesla's network to existing public charging infrastructure. PR Newswire carried the announcement.
Why it matters
The integration adds competitive pressure on independent CPOs as a major OEM steers customers toward Tesla's proprietary network. Procurement teams planning multi brand fleet charging may need to account for Tesla connector compatibility in future RFPs.
Stellantis (global) · Tesla (us) · Dodge (us) · Jeep (us) · Ram (us) · FIAT (global) · Maserati (global) · Source
US EV charging landscape shaped by grants, bankruptcies and acquisitions across 80 operators
As of November 2025, more than 80 companies operate as charging network providers across 77,000 public locations in the United States, according to the US Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center. Only seven companies run more than 1,000 locations, and fewer than half manage 100 sites or more. The article, published in March 2026, examines how the network evolved through federal grants, corporate settlements, bankruptcies and acquisitions rather than a unified plan, with recent rollbacks of federal EV support adding further uncertainty.
Why it matters
Procurement teams and site hosts face a fragmented supplier base where consolidation risk remains high, making partner selection and contract terms critical. The concentration of scale among just seven operators suggests future M&A activity could reshape tender landscapes and service continuity for existing charge point agreements.
Electric Vehicles
Mercedes to launch two AMG crossover EVs and US-first G-Wagen convertible
Mercedes-Benz plans to introduce two new AMG crossover electric vehicles alongside a G-Wagen convertible that will debut first in the United States, according to Automotive News. The announcement signals the German automaker's expansion of its performance EV lineup and marks a strategic US market focus for the convertible variant.
Why it matters
New premium EV models from Mercedes will drive demand for high-power charging infrastructure at dealerships and destination sites. The AMG performance variants typically require robust charging capabilities, creating procurement opportunities for CPOs targeting luxury automotive partnerships.
Policy & Market
US federal and state EV fee proposals set charges at 200 to 250 dollars per year, two to three times typical gas tax contributions
A federal proposal by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves would impose a 200 dollar annual fee on electric vehicle owners, more than double the roughly 95 dollars per year the average petrol car driver pays in federal fuel tax based on 11,484 miles driven at 22.3 mpg. Many US states are already charging EV owners at 200 to 250 dollars per year or higher, with the 200 dollar fee equivalent to federal tax on about 1,087 gallons of petrol, enough to drive over 100,000 miles in an average petrol car. The proposals come as EVs represent roughly 10 per cent of new car sales in the US.
Why it matters
Punitive fee structures that charge EV owners significantly more than petrol drivers for road funding may slow adoption rates and complicate business cases for charging infrastructure investors who rely on growing EV fleets. Procurement teams and charge point operators should monitor state level fee rollouts, as higher ownership costs could dampen demand forecasts in key markets.