Electrify America has been recognised by the Business Intelligence Group with a 2026 BIG Innovation Award for its large-scale deployment of battery energy storage systems (BESS) across its U.S. electric vehicle charging network.
The award acknowledges Electrify America’s rollout of more than 170 BESS units nationwide, a move aimed at enabling Hyper-Fast charging in areas where grid capacity is limited. The systems allow charging stations to operate independently of real-time grid constraints by storing electricity during periods of low demand and discharging it during peak usage.
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Limited grid capacity has emerged as a major bottleneck for expanding high-power EV charging infrastructure, particularly in urban centres and remote corridors. Electrify America said its BESS strategy helps overcome those constraints by effectively decoupling charger output from available grid supply, allowing high-speed charging even where electrical upgrades would otherwise be required.
The Business Intelligence Group recognised Electrify America in its Top 10 Innovation category, highlighting the company’s focus on operationalising advanced infrastructure solutions rather than testing them in isolated pilots. “The organisations we recognised this year demonstrated disciplined execution and measurable impact,” said Russ Fordyce, chief recognition officer at the Business Intelligence Group.
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Electrify America operates the largest open Hyper-Fast charging network in the United States and has committed more than $2 billion to the development of zero-emission vehicle infrastructure. Its network spans 47 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, with the BESS installations supporting expansion into locations that have historically been underserved due to power limitations.
The company said the storage-backed charging approach is intended to support broader EV adoption by improving reliability and access to high-speed charging, while reducing dependence on immediate grid upgrades. Electrify America has not disclosed how many additional BESS units it plans to deploy, but said energy storage will remain a core component of its network expansion strategy.
