Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Faces Bottleneck

ChargePoint, a leading electric vehicle (EV) charging network operator, has reported a significant increase in charging sessions on its platform, which grew by 34% in 2025. This surge occurred alongside a mere 16% increase in new charging port installations, indicating a growing disparity between EV infrastructure and the rising demand from drivers. Currently, over one million EV drivers utilize ChargePoint's services monthly, with the company adding 190,000 new charging ports to its network in 2025. Despite this expansion, the utilization of existing chargers is outpacing new installations by nearly 20 percentage points.

ElectrekChargePoint data shows charging infrastructure gap

Rick Wilmer, CEO of ChargePoint, emphasized that the demand for charging infrastructure is now driven more by the total number of EVs on the road rather than just new sales figures. He stated, “New EV sales are no longer the primary benchmark for charger demand; it’s the total number of EVs on the road.” This shift suggests that those investing in charging infrastructure in 2026 could see a faster return on investment due to increased utilization pressure.

ElectrekChargePoint data shows charging infrastructure gap

ChargePoint's data indicates that nearly 60% of the 19.3 billion electric miles enabled by its network over the past 18 years occurred in the last two years alone. The company manages approximately 375,000 public and private charging ports directly and provides access to over 900,000 additional roaming ports globally. However, the growth in charging sessions raises concerns about potential bottlenecks, particularly if the installation of new chargers does not accelerate to meet the increasing demand.

ChargePoint data shows charging infrastructure gapElectrek

While ChargePoint's data highlights a pressing issue, it is important to note that utilization can vary significantly by region and charger type. Factors such as site design and the type of chargers—whether they are workplace Level 2 chargers or public DC fast chargers—can influence the actual experience of EV drivers. A 34% increase in charging sessions does not necessarily mean that all drivers are facing long wait times; it could also reflect improved charger uptime and turnover rates.

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As the EV market continues to expand, the pressure on charging infrastructure is expected to grow. If the trend of charging session growth outpaces infrastructure development, the performance of charging stations may become a critical factor in the competitive landscape of EV adoption. Stakeholders in the industry are urged to consider these dynamics as they plan for future infrastructure investments.

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• “New EV sales are no longer the primary benchmark for charger demand; it’s the total number of EVs on the road.” — Rick Wilmer, CEO of ChargePoint

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• “If session growth continues to outpace infrastructure growth, charging performance, not just charger availability, could quickly become the real competitive battleground.” — ChargePoint Analysis

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