US EV News
Daily EV news · US · 12 October 2026
Stories
EV Charging
Oregon to California EV trip highlights fast charging price rises despite improved network coverage
Transport Evolved documented a Ford F-150 Lightning journey down Interstate 5 showing that while routing has become easier, Electrify America pricing in Oregon has risen from 43 cents per kilowatt hour in 2022 to 61 cents, with some California sites charging 69 cents plus demand charges. A nearly 100 kilowatt hour session at Seven Feathers in southern Oregon cost two and a half to three times the equivalent home charging rate.
Why it matters
Rising public charging costs relative to home rates may affect EV adoption and highlight pricing transparency issues, with users calling for roadside price displays similar to petrol stations. The gap between network availability and cost competitiveness presents a challenge for CPOs balancing infrastructure expansion with user affordability.
EV Realty acquires Inland Empire site for electric semi truck charging hub
EV Realty has announced a new electric semi truck charging hub at 2151 E. Philadelphia Street in California's Inland Empire, described as the West Coast's largest warehousing submarket. The site will feature broad turning areas, highway access and trailer friendly pull through designs as demand for commercial truck charging grows alongside rising diesel prices and fleet electrification.
Why it matters
The hub targets a concentrated logistics corridor where fleets are adopting electric trucks from BYD, Volvo and Tesla, creating procurement opportunities for charging infrastructure tailored to heavy duty vehicle requirements.
Electrify America operates 6,029 DC fast-charging ports across 1,191 US sites
Electrify America now runs 6,029 DC fast-charging ports at 1,191 locations in the United States, making it the second largest DC charging network after Tesla Supercharger, according to InsideEVs citing the US Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center. Over the past year, the network's port count grew by 16% and station count by around 10%, with 202 ports added in the second quarter alone, representing 6.7% of all US DC fast-charging ports. ChargePoint, the third largest operator, installed 333 ports in the same quarter and holds 6.1% market share, while Walmart's network added more ports than any other non-Tesla company in the quarter, reaching 916 ports across 110 stations.
Why it matters
The figures confirm Electrify America's dominant position among non-Tesla networks and provide procurement teams with current scale benchmarks for the US fast-charging market. Walmart's aggressive second quarter rollout signals a major retail-led expansion that could reshape site partnership opportunities for CPOs and equipment suppliers.
US charging network hits record expansion despite EV sales halving after tax credit removal
The US electric vehicle charging industry installed nearly 2,000 new charging stations with more than 12,000 ports by early October 2026, matching the pace of 2025's record year (3,885 stations, 19,839 ports), according to Paren Data Organization. This expansion continues despite US EV sales halving year on year and market share dropping from 12% in Q3 2025 to around 6% in 2026 following elimination of federal tax credits and fuel consumption regulations under President Trump.
Why it matters
Charge point operators are building ahead of demand rather than reacting to current sales, signalling confidence in long term EV adoption and creating procurement opportunities even as automakers scale back electrification plans. The divergence between installation rates and vehicle sales suggests infrastructure investors are positioning for future growth cycles independent of short term policy shifts.
California opens 28 million dollar fund paying up to 100,000 dollars per DC fast charging port
California has launched a 28 million dollar funding round that covers up to 100 percent of eligible costs for public DC fast charging infrastructure, with grants reaching 100,000 dollars per port. The highest payment tier applies only to ports rated above 275kW, despite charger manufacturers' data indicating that the number of plugs at a site drives utilisation more effectively than individual port power ratings.
Why it matters
The programme represents significant public capital available to charge point operators and contractors, though the emphasis on high power ratings over plug density may shape project economics and site design decisions for applicants seeking maximum grant support.
Electric Vehicles
Battery electric buses dominate global procurement with 13,165 firm orders against 65 hydrogen buses
A global procurement register covering 388 sourced records across 81 countries shows transit agencies have placed firm orders for 13,165 battery electric buses compared to just 65 hydrogen fuel cell buses. The battery electric orders come from 55 purchasing bodies, while all hydrogen buses were ordered by only two agencies, indicating a clear market preference after years of operational testing and infrastructure investment.
Why it matters
The procurement data reveals that transit agencies with real world operating experience are backing battery electric technology at scale, providing a clear signal for charging infrastructure investors and equipment suppliers about where sustained fleet demand will materialise.
Kia EV3 arrives at US dealerships after Mexico production announcement
The Kia EV3, which won World Car of the Year in 2025 and the Golden Steering Wheel award in 2024, is now available at US dealerships. The model will be built in Mexico for the North American market, as announced two months prior. The EV3 was initially launched three years ago with no indication it would reach the US market.
Why it matters
A World Car of the Year winner entering US showrooms signals fresh competition in the compact EV segment, potentially driving demand for charging infrastructure scaled to smaller, more efficient vehicles. CPOs and site hosts may see new traffic patterns if the model gains traction despite traditional US preference for larger vehicles.
US lawmakers introduce bipartisan bill to extend Clean School Bus Program to 2031
Representatives Jahana Hayes, Buddy Carter and Greg Landsman have introduced legislation to reauthorize the EPA's Clean School Bus Program for five more years through fiscal year 2031. The programme, established under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act with $5 billion allocated through 2026, has awarded $2.6 billion to over 1,100 school districts across 49 states to replace existing buses with more than 8,000 low or zero emission vehicles. The Alliance for Electric School Buses, comprising environmental and advocacy groups, has endorsed the extension.
Why it matters
The reauthorization would sustain federal funding for electric school bus procurement beyond 2026, maintaining a major demand driver for zero emission vehicle manufacturers and charging infrastructure providers. Continued programme funding offers long term revenue visibility for suppliers serving the education sector's fleet electrification needs.
F-150 Lightning owner reports 9,000 miles of home charging cost same as previous monthly petrol bill
A Ford F-150 Lightning driver posted on the r/F150Lightning subreddit that roughly 9,000 miles of home charging over one year cost approximately $450, matching what they previously spent monthly on petrol for a Raptor. The owner installed a home charger nearly one year ago and fast charged only once during that period. Multiple commenters confirmed similar savings, though outcomes vary by local electricity rates.
Why it matters
The case illustrates total cost of ownership advantages that can drive fleet electrification decisions and underscores the importance of home charging infrastructure in achieving operational savings. Wide variation in utility pricing means CPOs and site hosts must tailor business models to local tariff structures to replicate these economics at scale.