Daily EV news · US · 28 October 2026
EV Charging
EV Realty explains site selection for heavy-duty truck charging hubs
EV Realty, launched in 2022, focuses on building charging hubs for electric trucks, which differ from passenger EV sites in both design and business model. The company targets fleet customers who run regular routes and require subscription based charging, with most current hubs located near the Los Angeles and Long Beach port complexes in Southern California. Site selection prioritises strategic locations near warehouses and logistics centres where fleet operators can reliably charge on predictable schedules.
Why it matters
Procurement teams planning heavy-duty charging infrastructure need to understand that fleet focused hubs require different site criteria and commercial models than consumer charging networks. The concentration of early deployments around major ports and logistics hubs signals where near term demand and grid readiness align for large scale truck charging projects.
Pennsylvania awards 53 EV charging stations to Bucks County in $37 million southeastern deployment
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced a $37 million investment to install 515 new public EV charging ports across southeastern Pennsylvania, with 53 stations allocated to Bucks County. The funding comes through the Community Charging programme, part of over $100 million in federal investment for public charging infrastructure beyond the $58 million already committed to Alternative Fuel Corridors. Secretary Mike Carroll said the deployment responds to growing EV infrastructure demand in the region.
Why it matters
The award signals substantial procurement opportunities in southeastern Pennsylvania as the state accelerates NEVI implementation, with contractors and CPOs positioned to compete for installation and operation contracts across 515 charging ports. The scale of federal funding flowing through state programmes demonstrates the pipeline of publicly funded charging work available to the supply chain.
US EV to charger ratio hits 28 to one as infrastructure lags demand in some states
The US had more than 262,000 public charging ports in 2025, averaging one port for every 28 registered EVs, according to the Department of Energy. EV sales fell nearly 50% from Q3 to Q4 2025 after the Trump administration repealed the $7,500 Clean Vehicle Tax Credit in October 2025 and froze billions in charging infrastructure funding. Sales have since recovered, topping 250,000 units in the latest 2026 quarter, but infrastructure buildout has not kept pace in certain states.
Why it matters
A widening gap between EV adoption and charging port availability in some US states signals uneven procurement and deployment, creating potential bottlenecks for CPOs and site hosts. The recovery in EV sales without matching infrastructure investment may drive urgent demand for new charging projects where ratios are worst.
Seattle to install 200 curbside EV chargers by 2030
Seattle City Light and the Seattle Department of Transportation will install up to 200 new curbside Level 2 charging stations by 2030, funded by the voter approved Seattle Transportation Levy. The chargers, providing up to 9.6 kW of power, target residents without private driveways in a city where around half of homes are apartments or condominiums. A 2023 to 2024 pilot installed 58 chargers at 31 curbside locations and drew high usage numbers.
Why it matters
The programme creates a procurement pipeline for Level 2 hardware suppliers and installers through 2030, with selection criteria favouring underserved neighbourhoods. The pilot's high usage validates the curbside model for cities with dense housing, potentially informing similar municipal tenders across the US.
ChargePoint opens three tier reseller partner programme across UK and Europe
ChargePoint has launched a channel partner programme for resellers in the UK, France, and the DACH, Benelux and Nordic regions, offering hardware discounts, financial incentives, deal protection, marketing resources and technical training. The programme operates in three tiers (bronze, silver and gold) based on annual performance and completion of training, with increasing discounts on charging hardware, software subscriptions and performance based rebates. Silver and gold partners can pursue joint marketing initiatives and access ChargePoint's consultancy and sales resources through a web portal.
Why it matters
The structured reseller programme expands ChargePoint's route to market in Europe, creating new procurement pathways for commercial customers through certified local partners. Tiered incentives and deal protection mechanisms may accelerate deployment by enabling smaller installers to compete for contracts with manufacturer backing.
Electric Vehicles
Used EV sales hit record 3.3% of US secondhand market as lease returns and fuel costs drive demand
Used electric vehicle sales reached a record 3.3% of total used vehicle sales in the US last month, up from 2.9% in August, according to Cox Automotive. The surge follows a wave of off-lease EVs returning to market and rising petrol prices, with models including the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E now available for under $25,000. Tesla leads used EV brands, followed by Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai and BMW, while the Nissan Ariya posted the strongest month-on-month growth at 42.5% in September.
Why it matters
A growing secondhand EV market at accessible price points could accelerate fleet electrification and expand the addressable customer base for charge point operators, particularly in workplace and destination charging segments. The shift also signals maturing residual values and lease cycles that may influence future fleet procurement strategies.
ORNL launches Motor Decide platform to rank electric motor technologies by critical material risk and supply chain stability
The US Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed Motor Decide, a platform that evaluates electric motor technologies based on performance, critical material availability, supply chain stability, technology maturity and long term resilience. The system uses modelling and scenario analysis to assess how motor technologies perform under fluctuating material costs and supply chain disruptions, particularly for critical minerals such as copper and rare earth elements. Motor Decide works alongside ORNL's existing Motor AI platform, allowing manufacturers to select motor approaches and then generate detailed design configurations.
Why it matters
The platform gives EV manufacturers and charging infrastructure suppliers a tool to de-risk motor procurement decisions amid volatile critical mineral markets, potentially influencing which motor technologies win contracts in future charging hardware and vehicle programmes. By quantifying supply chain vulnerabilities, Motor Decide could shift procurement towards motor designs that reduce dependency on constrained rare earth supplies.
Ford Fathom EV preorder terms allow dealer markups, raising buyer concerns over repeat of F-150 Lightning pricing
Ford's Fathom EV, a work-focused electric pickup priced at $28,350 before destination, has drawn criticism after reservation language confirmed dealers set final selling prices. Torque News reported that the wording echoes the F-150 Lightning launch, when some buyers faced markups of $10,000 at delivery. A $3,000 to $5,000 dealer surcharge would represent a 10% to 16.7% increase on the sub-$30,000 vehicle.
Why it matters
Dealer pricing discretion on affordable EVs may undermine fleet and commercial adoption if final costs exceed budget thresholds. The issue highlights procurement risk for buyers relying on advertised pricing to justify electrification business cases.
Ford casts 5,000 unicastings for Fathom EV truck in Tesla style shift
Ford has produced more than 5,000 large aluminium unicastings for its Fathom electric pickup, due in 2027 at $28,350, with each truck using two castings that replace 146 individual parts. The castings are made at Ford's Shelbyville Technical Center and shipped to Louisville Assembly Plant for testing, following the manufacturing approach Tesla introduced with its Giga Press six years ago. Ford is working on cutting cycle time and designing the castings for modular repairability, addressing the repair cost concerns that have made other automakers hesitant about larger cast parts.
Why it matters
The shift to unicasting signals a major change in EV manufacturing that could reshape supply chains and reduce part counts, potentially affecting procurement strategies for assembly tooling, casting equipment and repair infrastructure. Ford's focus on modular repairability may also influence how fleet operators and charging site developers plan for vehicle servicing and downtime at depot charging locations.
GM unveils fourth generation EV platform with production lithium manganese rich battery and simplified drive units
General Motors has launched its fourth generation electric vehicle platform featuring the world's first production lithium manganese rich (LMR) battery, developed with LG Energy Solution through the Ultium Cells joint venture. The new platform delivers approximately 20 per cent more range per kilowatt hour, with the LMR chemistry offering 33 per cent more energy density than lithium iron phosphate at comparable cost. GM's redesigned electric motors and power electronics cut drive unit parts by 40 per cent, creating a smaller and lighter system for high volume vehicle segments.
Why it matters
The production ready LMR battery technology and simplified drivetrain architecture signal a major procurement shift for charging infrastructure providers, as higher energy density vehicles with extended range will influence charging speed requirements and site utilisation patterns. GM's focus on high volume segments at LFP comparable pricing could accelerate EV adoption rates, driving demand for expanded charging networks across the United States.
Grid & Energy
Connecticut homeowner considers $40,000 battery storage addition to $51,000 solar array
A Connecticut resident received a quote for a 17 kilowatt solar array comprising 40 panels at $51,000, rising to $91,000 with battery storage included, according to a Reddit discussion. The installer projected a 15 year payback period, with the system priced at approximately $3 per watt, which commenters confirmed is typical for Connecticut. The solar installation is part of a broader home renovation that already includes a new roof.
Why it matters
The pricing benchmark of $3 per watt for residential solar in Connecticut, and the $40,000 premium for battery backup, offers procurement teams and installers a reference point for quoting combined solar and storage projects in the Northeast US market. The 15 year payback calculation highlights the financial considerations that may influence homeowner adoption of backup power systems as alternatives to traditional generators.
Puget Sound Energy customer saves $320 annually by charging EV overnight on time of use tariff
A Puget Sound Energy customer driving 1,100 electric miles per month reported annual savings of around $320 by charging exclusively during overnight off-peak hours at 12 cents per kilowatt-hour, avoiding weekday peak windows of 7 to 10 a.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. when rates reach 32 cents in summer and 55 cents in winter. The household shared month by month bill comparisons on Reddit demonstrating the savings under the utility's time of use plan versus standard rates, even with central air conditioning use.
Why it matters
The case illustrates how time of use tariffs can deliver measurable cost savings for EV drivers willing to shift charging behaviour, a model that could inform tariff design and customer engagement strategies for charge point operators and utilities seeking to manage grid demand and improve the economics of home charging.
California Rivian owner explores vehicle to home backup after $20,000 battery storage quotes
A Santa Barbara resident facing repeated power outages has turned to their Rivian electric truck as a backup power source after receiving home battery storage quotes exceeding $20,000. The owner plans to use the vehicle's 1,500 watt inverter to power essential appliances including a refrigerator, lights and small devices via extension cords or transfer switches during grid failures. The case highlights growing interest in vehicle to home solutions as an alternative to conventional stationary battery installations for households experiencing frequent blackouts.
Why it matters
The inquiry reflects price sensitivity in the residential energy storage market and potential competition between vehicle to home capabilities and traditional battery procurement. As EV manufacturers add bidirectional charging features, installers and battery suppliers may face pressure to offer more affordable backup solutions for customers with limited power needs.
Policy & Market
Democrat proposes $15,000 EV tax credit bill with no cosponsors as market faces uncertainty
Representative Greg Landsman introduced the 21st Century Vehicle Choice Act on 22 October, proposing a $15,000 credit for new EVs and $8,000 for used models by doubling each half of the existing $7,500 Inflation Reduction Act credit to $7,500. The bill, referred to three House committees without a single cosponsor, would make credits permanent after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act terminated them for vehicles acquired after 30 September 2025. It retains existing requirements including North American assembly, MSRP caps of $55,000 for cars and $80,000 for trucks and SUVs, and foreign entity of concern rules.
Why it matters
The bill's lack of political support creates market uncertainty that could delay EV purchases and affect charging infrastructure investment decisions, as buyers may wait for incentives unlikely to materialise while existing credits have already expired. Charging point operators planning site rollouts must account for demand volatility driven by shifting federal policy rather than stable procurement signals.