Daily EV news · US · 20 October 2026
EV Charging
LAZ Parking and EverCharge launch multifamily charging service across 5,700 US sites
LAZ Parking and EverCharge have introduced LAZ Multifamily EV Charging Powered by EverCharge SmartPower for apartment buildings and condominiums across the United States. The service uses dynamic load management technology that adjusts charging power in real time, potentially enabling up to five times more charging ports with the same electrical capacity and reducing the need for costly infrastructure upgrades. LAZ Parking manages approximately 2.1 million parking spaces at 5,700 locations in the US and Canada, while EverCharge already operates more than 10,000 charging ports in over 1,000 multifamily buildings serving more than 50,000 registered drivers.
Why it matters
The partnership expands LAZ's North American charging network to 25,000 ports and demonstrates how smart load management can unlock multifamily charging deployments at scale without expensive electrical upgrades. For CPOs and installers, the EverCharge EVO3 Level 2 charger rollout across LAZ's 5,700 locations represents a significant procurement pipeline in the underserved multifamily residential segment.
Electrify America opens 24 charger station in Orlando
Electrify America has opened a 24 DC fast charger station at Sand Lake Corners South shopping centre in Orlando, Florida, marking the largest site in its network. Each unit delivers up to 350 kW and features CCS connectors exclusively, while the company tests NACS at a separate Florida Mall location. Electrify America now operates more than 350 charging stations across over 60 Florida locations, with a further 10 charger Orlando site at Curry Ford Road due in coming months.
Why it matters
The 24 unit deployment sets a new scale benchmark for Electrify America's rollout and targets high footfall tourist and transport corridors near Interstate 4, Orlando International Airport, and theme parks. Florida's 450,400 registered battery electric vehicles in 2025, second only to California, underline the state's importance for CPO expansion and infrastructure procurement.
Rivian starts work on $330,000 charging station on Houston's Southwest Freeway
Rivian commenced construction on 16 June of an electric vehicle charging station on Houston's Southwest Freeway, with completion targeted for mid-June 2027, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation reported by Community Impact. The project carries an estimated cost of $330,000 and will expand charging capacity along a key corridor. Rivian's charging sites are capable of adding up to 150 miles of range in 20 minutes.
Why it matters
The two year construction timeline and disclosed budget provide a benchmark for CPOs and contractors planning similar fast charging deployments on major US highway corridors. The project signals continued OEM investment in proprietary charging networks to support direct to consumer vehicle sales.
Contactless payment adoption grows at EV charging stations as operators prioritise user convenience
Contactless payment methods are gaining traction at public EV charging stations as drivers increasingly expect the same tap to pay convenience they use for daily purchases. The shift is driven by expanding public charging infrastructure serving more occasional users and new EV owners, alongside faster chargers that heighten expectations for speed. Operators are responding to demand for simpler payment processes that eliminate the need to download apps, register accounts, or input payment details before starting a charging session.
Why it matters
For CPOs and procurement teams, integrating contactless payment infrastructure can reduce friction for ad hoc users and improve station utilisation, particularly as the customer base broadens beyond regular subscribers to include travellers and first time EV drivers.
US EV charging construction faces standardisation gaps as 28 million ports target looms
The US Department of Energy estimates the country will need 28 million EV charging ports to meet demand, but installation practices vary widely between contractors despite increasingly consistent hardware. Charger manufacturers lack common wiring standards, and infrastructure approaches differ by installer, creating what industry observers call a Wild West scenario. Common issues include oversized conduit installations as manufacturers and customers anticipate future cable upgrades.
Why it matters
The lack of standardised construction practices threatens to slow deployment and inflate costs as the US races to build out charging infrastructure. CPOs and contractors face increased project risk and inconsistent quality without common installation standards across the 28 million port buildout.
Electric Vehicles
Volkswagen recalls 22,524 ID.4 EVs in US, imposing remote 80% charge cap to prevent battery fires
Volkswagen has recalled 22,524 model year 2023 to 2026 ID.4 electric SUVs in the United States due to fire risk, telling owners to limit charging to 80% capacity. The automaker notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on 6 October that certain charging profiles combined with state of charge over 80% may trigger thermal propagation in batteries supplied by SK Battery America. Unless owners opt out by 21 October via the myVW app, Volkswagen will remotely apply the 80% charge limit on or about 27 October 2026, with the recall stemming from an ongoing field study outside previous battery recalls.
Why it matters
The remote charge limitation affects over 22,000 vehicles and highlights supply chain risks for charge point operators, as reduced battery capacity may alter charging session durations and customer behaviour at public infrastructure. The recall also underscores due diligence requirements for procurement teams evaluating OEM partnerships, particularly regarding battery supplier quality and post-sale intervention capabilities.
GM to close Detroit Brownstown battery plant by summer 2026 as it shifts focus to petrol vehicles
General Motors will decommission its 480,000 square foot Brownstown Battery Assembly facility in Detroit by next summer when the lease ends, moving production to other nearby GM sites. The plant, opened in 2009, currently manufactures high voltage batteries for the Cadillac Celestiq EV and Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, plus drive units for the hybrid sports car. The closure forms part of GM's broader manufacturing shift that now prioritises petrol vehicles as the automaker absorbs billions of dollars in losses from its powertrain strategy changes.
Why it matters
The closure signals a major US automaker scaling back dedicated EV battery manufacturing infrastructure, potentially affecting component supply chains and procurement strategies for electrification projects. GM's pivot towards petrol production amid heavy EV losses may influence how fleet operators and charging infrastructure developers assess long term vehicle electrification commitments from traditional manufacturers.
Kia EV3 launches in US with lease from $321 per month, undercutting Bolt and Leaf
Kia has opened leasing and finance for its EV3 crossover in the United States, with the base 2027 Wind model available at $321 per month on a 36 month lease with $3,999 down and 10,000 mile annual limit. The entry model offers 201 horsepower and 221 miles of EPA range from a 58.3 kilowatt hour battery, while a long range variant with an 81.4 kilowatt hour pack and 321 miles costs $329 per month. An all wheel drive version is priced at $379 per month, with Kia positioning the EV3 below competitors including the Chevrolet Bolt and Nissan Leaf.
Why it matters
Aggressive pricing on a 300 mile plus range EV could shift fleet and workplace charging demand as corporate buyers evaluate cost per mile economics. The sub $400 lease for dual motor variants may accelerate adoption in commercial and municipal procurement cycles where total cost of ownership drives specification.
ABC Companies to enter US transit bus market in 2028 with diesel model, eyes 4,800 unit annual segment
ABC Companies announced at APTA TRANSform & EXPO 2026 in Chicago that it will launch COR Transit, a new heavy duty transit bus brand, with initial production targeted for 2028. The company will debut with a diesel powered 40 foot bus called the D40, with Altoona testing scheduled for 2027, and is targeting a market segment estimated at approximately 4,800 buses annually. The platform is designed to accommodate multiple fuel technologies, and ABC Companies will leverage its existing parts and service network serving 684 transit authorities across the US.
Why it matters
The entry of a new manufacturer into the US transit bus market, backed by ABC Companies' established service network, could reshape procurement options for transit authorities evaluating fleet replacement strategies. The 2028 timeline and multi fuel platform approach signals potential future competition in both diesel and alternative fuel segments, relevant for agencies planning long term capital programmes.
VinFast launches 500 vehicle electric taxi fleet in Los Angeles through Green SM
Vietnamese automaker VinFast has entered the North American ride-hailing market with Green SM, deploying an initial fleet of 500 VF8 electric SUVs in Los Angeles. The service, owned by parent conglomerate Vingroup, operates with professionally trained full-time drivers and marks Green SM's ninth global market. Los Angeles represents VinFast's first North American mobility venture as the automaker seeks greater US visibility beyond passenger vehicle sales.
Why it matters
A 500 vehicle electric fleet launch signals immediate charging infrastructure demand in the Los Angeles area, with potential for further expansion if the service scales. Fleet operators like Green SM typically require dedicated depot charging or priority access to public fast charging networks, creating procurement opportunities for charge point operators and equipment suppliers.
F-150 Lightning towed 6,000 pounds over 12,000 miles from Alaska without backup generator use
A Ford F-150 Lightning owner completed a 12,000 mile towing journey from Alaska through Canada and across the western United States hauling approximately 6,000 pounds of cargo, including ATVs, mountain bikes, camping gear and a backup generator that was never needed. The driver averaged 168 miles between charges while towing and reported no close calls, according to a post on the F-150 Lightning Reddit community covered by Torque News. The owner stated the most frustrating aspect was unhooking and rehooking the trailer at charging stops, not finding charging infrastructure.
Why it matters
The successful completion of a 12,000 mile heavy towing trip without range anxiety or backup power demonstrates real world viability of electric pickup trucks for long distance hauling, potentially reducing barriers to fleet electrification for contractors and logistics operators. The 168 mile average charging interval while towing 6,000 pounds provides a practical benchmark for route planning and charging infrastructure requirements in North American commercial applications.
Grid & Energy
California school bus fleet powers 1,000 homes via V2G chargers in two year trial
A fleet of 74 electric school buses in California has spent two years supplying power to approximately 1,000 homes using vehicle to grid chargers manufactured by Tellus Power, an Irvine based charging equipment maker. The California Energy Commission estimates that vehicle to home technology could save homeowners a few hundred dollars per summer and cut peak demand by up to 5GW statewide if broadly implemented. Tellus Power CEO Mike Calise and CTO Srikanth Kanaparthi say fleet installations allow easier aggregation of batteries compared to distributed residential projects.
Why it matters
The deployment demonstrates commercial viability of V2G infrastructure at fleet scale, offering a proven model for charging providers and fleet operators seeking grid services revenue. The project shows how fleet focused V2G installations can bypass the cost and complexity barriers that have limited residential adoption.
Policy & Market
Lower income communities risk being left behind in EV transition, Open Road Partnership warns
Motorists in lower income areas face the most barriers to adopting electric vehicles, according to new analysis by the Open Road Partnership (Vertu Motors, United Rental Group, Zenith and Enterprise Mobility). The study of 632 parliamentary constituencies across Great Britain found median wages of £32,400 in the 20 most challenged constituencies compared with £43,400 in the least challenged, with drivers in the former facing 1,014 potential users per charger versus 288 in the latter. Only 50% of households in the most challenged areas have potential access to off street parking, compared with 74% in the least challenged, while EVs account for 2.6% of vehicles in the most challenged areas against 4.9% in the least challenged.
Why it matters
The findings highlight a critical gap between government ZEV Mandate targets and consumers' ability to switch, pointing to the need for greater investment in charging infrastructure in lower income areas. CPOs and policymakers must address the threefold disparity in charger access and off street parking limitations to ensure equitable EV adoption and meet transition goals.