US public charging ports grew 2% in Q1 2026 as DC fast chargers rose 5%, Alliance for Automotive Innovation reports
By Eve
Public Level 2 charging ports in the United States increased 1% and DC fast chargers rose 5% during the first quarter of 2026 compared to the end of 2025, lifting total charging ports by 2%, according to the Alliance for Automotive Innovation's Get Connected report released on 1 July. The trade group, which represents major carmakers including General Motors, Toyota and Volkswagen, noted that nearly 7.5 million EVs were operating on US roads during the quarter, even as EV sales fell 3.4% to 6.3% of total auto sales following the expiration of federal purchase incentives in Q3 2025.
Why it matters: The 5% quarterly rise in DC fast chargers signals continued infrastructure investment despite weaker EV sales, offering CPOs and site hosts evidence that rollout momentum persists. Procurement teams can use the Alliance data to benchmark deployment rates and assess whether federal incentive changes are reshaping the competitive landscape for new charging projects.