Daily EV news · US · 16 October 2026
EV Charging
US fast charging network passes 80,000 ports as Tesla adds 1,411 stalls in Q3
The United States now has 80,964 public fast charging ports across 14,614 locations after operators installed 4,106 ports at 664 stations in Q3 2026, according to Paren's quarterly industry report. Tesla led deployment with 1,287 new ports plus 124 through its Supercharger for Business programme, while average site sizes grew to five ports for non-Tesla stations and 13.1 ports for Tesla locations. Urban areas accounted for 90% of new stations opened in the quarter, though Tesla's Supercharger prices rose faster than the national average.
Why it matters
Larger average site sizes and concentrated urban deployment signal maturing infrastructure planning that could reduce queuing and improve utilisation rates for charge point operators. Tesla's pricing increases alongside its capacity expansion may indicate tightening margins or demand-led pricing power in high-traffic corridors.
Osborne builds charging hubs for Tesla, IONNA and EVgo across United States
Kansas based general contractor Osborne, in business since 1976, is building charging sites for major charge point operators including Tesla, IONNA and EVgo. The firm handles construction work for CPOs and charging as a service providers, who design and coordinate infrastructure but subcontract the physical build. Osborne's role covers the construction layer of the charging stack, working with turnkey providers who offer single point of contact packages to fleet operators.
Why it matters
General contractors like Osborne are essential to the charging infrastructure supply chain, executing site builds for CPOs and CaaS providers who increasingly dominate procurement. Understanding which contractors win work from major operators helps identify capacity and delivery partners in the infrastructure rollout.
Electric Vehicles
US buyers seek smaller, cheaper EVs as crossover dominance pushes efficiency down and costs up
A Reddit discussion highlighted that the crossover style 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 delivers roughly 3.4 to 3.9 miles per kilowatt hour, around 22% less efficient than the older 2021 Ioniq EV's 4.5 to 5 miles per kilowatt hour. Shoppers report that battery improvements have not led to meaningful price cuts, with one buyer opting for a used Volkswagen ID.4 over a new Nissan Leaf due to market availability and lower cost. The shift to heavier crossovers increases battery size, weight, and cost, potentially deterring drivers from switching from petrol vehicles.
Why it matters
Lower efficiency in popular crossover EVs means higher energy consumption per vehicle, which could increase demand for charging infrastructure capacity and frequency of use at public sites. Price sensitivity and the appeal of smaller, cheaper models suggest that fleet and retail charging operators may need to plan for a broader mix of vehicle types if manufacturers respond to consumer demand for compact EVs.
Volkswagen recalls several thousand EVs globally over battery fire risk, urges 80% charge limit
Volkswagen is recalling several thousand electric vehicles worldwide, including the ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID. Buzz and Cupra Born models produced between 2023 and 2026, after internal quality checks found high-voltage battery cells from SK Battery America do not meet requirements. The company has already filed a recall with the US NHTSA covering 22,524 ID.4 SUVs and is urging owners to limit charging to 80% capacity until a fix is available, as charging beyond this level could trigger thermal propagation or battery fires. This follows an earlier recall of close to 100,000 EVs globally earlier in the year, with Volkswagen's Product Safety Committee now seeking additional clarifications from the battery supplier on specific production dates.
Why it matters
The recall highlights ongoing battery quality and supply chain risks for major OEMs, potentially affecting charging infrastructure planning as operators may see reduced utilisation if thousands of VW EV owners limit charging to 80%. CPOs and site hosts should monitor whether similar battery issues emerge across other manufacturers using the same supplier, as this could influence demand patterns and warranty considerations for charging hardware.
BMW iX5 range estimate rises to 450 miles ahead of US launch
BMW has raised the expected EPA range for its iX5 60 xDrive electric SUV to 450 miles, up from an initial target of 435 miles announced earlier this year. The automaker revealed the updated figure at a press launch this week, with official EPA certification expected in the coming weeks. BMW determined that 400 miles is the threshold beyond which customers stop worrying about range, and the 450 mile target accounts for real world driving conditions.
Why it matters
Higher range figures influence fleet procurement decisions and charging infrastructure planning, as longer range vehicles reduce the density of charging points needed for commercial operations. The iX5's Gen 6 technology and 450 mile capability may shift CPO site planning assumptions for premium SUV segments in the US market.
Green SM launches all-electric taxi service in Los Angeles with VinFast fleet
Vietnamese mobility company Green SM has launched an all-electric taxi service in Los Angeles, marking its first North American entry and ninth global market. The LA fleet consists entirely of VinFast VF 8 models, with rides bookable via app, hotline or street hailing. Founded in Vietnam in 2023, Green SM already operates in Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Kazakhstan, Denmark and the Netherlands.
Why it matters
The launch signals growing fleet electrification in US ride-hailing and taxi markets, creating potential charging infrastructure demand as Green SM scales its VinFast fleet in Los Angeles. Operators entering new markets typically require depot charging installations and may partner with public charging networks to support driver operations.
Tesla Roadster specs revealed: 1,341 HP, 310 to 320 mile range, 500 kW charging and 2028 production target
Tesla executives Lars Moravy and Franz von Holzhausen disclosed full specifications for the new Roadster in a Top Gear video, confirming the 3,700 pound rear wheel drive EV will produce 1,341 HP and achieve 310 to 320 miles of real world range. The vehicle uses a bespoke 800 to 1,000 volt battery pack with nickel based lithium ion cells capable of 500 kW charging, with production scheduled for 2028 in Texas.
Why it matters
The 500 kW charging capability sets a new benchmark for ultra fast charging infrastructure requirements, while the confirmed production timeline gives charging network operators three years to prepare for high power demand from premium EV segments.
Rivian R2 towed five days after delivery due to zonal control module fault
A Rivian R2 owner reported that their electric SUV lost screens, low beam headlights and power steering five days after delivery on 28 September, requiring a tow to a service centre. Rivian technicians diagnosed an internal fault in the East Zonal Control Module and replaced the East right hand ECU and an under hood harness cowl, with the vehicle remaining in service for more than a week. The incident was documented by YouTube creator The Duke of Middleville.
Why it matters
Early hardware failures in new EV models can affect fleet adoption confidence and highlight the importance of robust quality control in emerging electric vehicle platforms. The zonal architecture fault points to potential supply chain or integration issues that could impact service network readiness for newer EV brands.
Grid & Energy
US solar owner faces battery storage decision after utility switches from net metering to net billing
A homeowner with a 9.45 kilowatt solar array and two EVs is evaluating whether to add a 13.5 kilowatt hour Tesla Powerwall 3 after their utility replaced 1:1 net metering with net billing, cutting export compensation to a fraction of retail rates. The change eliminated months of banked credit kilowatt hours and prompted the owner to consider battery storage to cover overnight household use while charging both EVs during daylight. The case was discussed in a Reddit thread on r/diySolar, with commenters noting that EV charging can exceed typical backup power needs.
Why it matters
The shift from net metering to net billing is driving residential demand for battery storage and altering the economics of home EV charging, creating new opportunities for installers and battery suppliers as solar owners seek to maximise self consumption. Utilities changing compensation structures may accelerate behind the meter storage adoption, particularly among multi EV households.
Morgan Stanley cuts US share of global computing capacity forecast to 55% citing 32 GW power shortfall
Morgan Stanley has revised its estimate of the US share of global computing capacity down to 55% from 60%, driven by a projected power shortfall of 32 GW between 2026 and 2028. The report noted that US companies are increasingly looking overseas, citing Nvidia's plans for 2 GW of data centre capacity in Australia by 2027, but said international expansion will not fully offset domestic power constraints. Europe's limited capacity, lengthy planning approvals and geopolitical instability in the Middle East were highlighted as barriers to offshoring demand.
Why it matters
A 32 GW power shortfall in the US between 2026 and 2028 intensifies competition for grid capacity between data centres and EV charging infrastructure, potentially affecting site energisation timelines and grid connection costs for CPOs and charging developers.
Policy & Market
US falls to 16th place globally for EV sales share as 49 countries pull ahead
The US now ranks 16th among 56 countries for battery electric vehicle sales share in 2026, with 49 nations including India, Malaysia and Brazil overtaking it, according to energy think tank Ember's new EV sales tracker. Global BEV sales rose 11% year on year to account for 18% of all new car sales in the first eight months of 2026, driven by falling technology costs, high fuel prices and supportive policies such as Japan's upfront cost subsidy, which helped double Japanese BEV sales this year. The 56 tracked countries represent over 90% of global electric car sales and over 80% of all car sales worldwide.
Why it matters
The US lagging in EV adoption signals weaker near term demand for charging infrastructure investment compared to faster growing markets, potentially redirecting CPO and OEM capital towards countries with stronger policy support and consumer uptake. Procurement teams should monitor policy shifts like Japan's subsidy model, which demonstrate how government intervention can rapidly accelerate deployment needs.