Daily EV news · US · 1 November 2026
EV Charging
ConnectDER meter socket adapters approved by Pepco for installs in the Washington DC area
ConnectDER makes meter socket adapters, also known as meter collars, for solar, battery storage and EV charging, which connect at the existing meter socket outside a home and can avoid a service panel upgrade or added service capacity. The devices are UL-listed and National Electrical Code compliant, with approvals now in 54 US utility service territories, the latest being Pepco, which serves the Washington DC area. The company says its EV MSA can allow a high-power charger to be added without upgrading an existing 100-amp panel, as reported on 1 November 2026.
Why it matters
Avoiding panel upgrades can cut cost and installation time on residential charger projects, which matters to installers and programme buyers working on home charging. Utility approval in the Washington DC area opens another market where this approach can be specified.
Ionna reports CCS1 connector issues at some US fast-charging sites that could damage vehicle charging ports
Ionna has issued an update on CCS1 connector problems at some of its DC fast-charging stations, following official notification from its hardware manufacturer and customer reports on Reddit. In the worst case, the affected connectors may damage EV charging ports. The operator says it responded quickly with a full campaign to resolve the problem, including daily preventive health checks, as reported by EVChargingStations.com.
Why it matters
Connector faults that risk damaging vehicles raise reliability, liability and warranty questions for any CPO or site host relying on the same hardware. Buyers should look closely at manufacturer notification processes, inspection regimes and field response commitments when specifying and contracting DC charging equipment.
Brooklyn Navy Yard Sought Operator for Up to 30 EV Charging Spaces
The Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation issued a request for proposals on 30 May 2025 for a private partner to install and operate up to 30 EV charging spaces, as reported by Environment Energy Leader. The scheme covers up to 20 spaces for tenants and up to 10 for public use, with outdoor parking leased to an operator responsible for installation, maintenance and management. The original deadline was 14 August 2025, and the solicitation is now archived in New York City's procurement records.
Why it matters
The opportunity is closed, but it shows a lease-based, operator-led model that mixes tenant and public access on a 300-acre campus with more than 550 businesses and over 13,000 workers. CPOs tracking similar landlord-led solicitations can use it as a benchmark for scope and structure.
Electric Vehicles
Eli teases faster L7e ZERO MX electric microcar ahead of EICMA in Milan
Eli Electric Vehicles has teased the ZERO MX, a new L7e vehicle, and a Race Edition in an Instagram post ahead of EICMA in Milan. The current European Eli ZERO is an L6e light quadricycle with a top speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), while L7e vehicles can typically reach 80 to 90 km/h (50 to 56 mph). Eli's Italian website lists an L7e ZERO at 85 km/h (53 mph) with a claimed range of up to 200 km (124 miles), though the teaser does not confirm that these figures apply to the ZERO MX.
Why it matters
A faster microcar could widen the trips these vehicles cover, which may change charging demand patterns in urban and suburban settings. Specifications remain unconfirmed, so CPOs and procurement teams should wait for the full reveal before planning around it.
Peterbilt adds battery electric trucks to Sourcewell purchasing contract, extended through July 2028
Peterbilt has added its medium and heavy duty battery electric trucks to its cooperative purchasing agreement with Sourcewell, and the contract now runs through July 2028. The agreement gives Sourcewell's more than 50,000 member organisations access to competitively solicited contracts with pre-negotiated pricing and terms across Peterbilt's full Class 5 to 8 lineup, including on-highway, vocational and medium duty BEVs. Peterbilt says the arrangement can spare state and municipal agencies from running their own lengthy bidding processes.
Why it matters
Cooperative purchasing removes a major procurement hurdle for public fleets, which could speed up electric truck orders from US state and local agencies. For CPOs and charging suppliers, that points to potential depot charging demand from public sector fleets that can now buy vehicles faster.
Electric Dodge Charger lists 9% above the petrol model but costs more than twice as much to lease
The 2026 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack (electric) has an MSRP of $60,690, against $55,690 for the gas-powered Charger Scat Pack, a $5,000 gap. On a 36 month lease, the electric car is $1,312 a month with $6,269 due at signing, versus $573 a month and $5,769 at signing for the gas version, according to CarsDirect figures cited by The Drive. Excluding taxes and fees, the effective monthly cost is about $1,486 for the electric model and $733 for the gas model, roughly 103% higher.
Why it matters
Weak lease pricing on a headline electric model suggests Stellantis is not subsidising lease support for the Charger, which may limit fleet and consumer uptake and slow the arrival of new charging demand from this model. CPOs and site planners should be cautious about assuming strong volume from US muscle car EV segments when forecasting utilisation.
Rivian reports stronger Amazon demand for its EDV commercial van
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe told an earnings call this week that the company has seen a significant step up in demand from Amazon for its EDV delivery van, with revenue from Amazon nearly tripling this year. Scaringe said Amazon, an early Rivian investor, is buying more vans because of their lower running costs. The report sets this alongside Rivian's announcement that its R2 crossover, which reached the market in June and is eventually set to cost $45,000, was its best selling vehicle in the third quarter.
Why it matters
More EDVs in Amazon's delivery fleet in the United States points to growing demand for depot charging at logistics sites. Charge point operators and installers serving last mile fleets should watch for related procurement.
Grid & Energy
Kern County asthma programme replaces California homeowner's gas appliances with electric ones, plus free solar and battery storage
Maria Perez, a homeowner in Kern County, California, has had her gas appliances replaced with electric ones, and received solar panels and battery storage, all at no cost through the Kern CASA Project. Her property was the first home to get a full retrofit under the programme, according to KBAK as reported by The Cool Down. The project provides eligible households with free health and energy improvements, with the aim of removing gas appliances that worsen asthma.
Why it matters
Publicly backed home electrification schemes that bundle solar and storage show how household electrical loads are being upgraded, which can shape future home charging demand and local grid planning. For CPOs and installers, programmes like this point to emerging funded channels and partnerships built around health and energy outcomes, though this report gives no figures on scale or any EV charging component.
Policy & Market
US Department of Energy publishes national battery strategy and launches Battery Manufacturing Accelerator
The US Department of Energy has released a national battery strategy targeting a fully integrated domestic battery supply chain by 2030 and US leadership in battery technology and manufacturing by 2035. DOE projects US battery demand across transportation and energy storage will nearly quadruple, from 179 GWh in 2025 to 707 GWh in 2035. It also launched the Battery Manufacturing Accelerator (BattMan), led by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory with Argonne, Oak Ridge, the National Laboratory of the Rockies and five universities as partners, as reported by EVNews on 1 November 2026.
Why it matters
A stated push for domestic supply chains and lower manufacturing costs could shape future battery availability and pricing for charging hardware, including storage-backed sites. Organisations wanting to collaborate can approach BattMan, which may open routes to partnership and funding conversations.
Expanded Section 179 deduction could speed US fleet electrification, as diesel nears $7 a gallon
An update on how the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act strengthened the Section 179 deduction, with national diesel prices approaching $7 a gallon and Tesla's $290,000 Semi trucks now reaching paying customers. The IRS does not distinguish by fuel type, so over-the-road tractor units are 3-year property under the 20-year recovery threshold for 100% bonus depreciation, and electric Semis qualify just as diesel rivals do. The same rules can potentially cover electric garbage trucks, vocational trucks, battery electric reefer trailers and some large electric forklifts, and the IRS has since issued Notice 2026-11 with further guidance.
Why it matters
Fuel-neutral accelerated depreciation improves the upfront economics of electric heavy vehicles, which can strengthen fleet demand for depot and megawatt-class charging. CPOs and installers pitching to fleets can use the tax treatment to support the business case, though buyers should check the detail of Notice 2026-11 with their tax advisers.