The expansion of public fast-charging infrastructure in the United States slowed in the second quarter of 2026 as charging network operators shifted their focus from rapid expansion to improving reliability and profitability, according to charging data platform Paren.
Operators installed 4,382 new fast-charging ports across 806 stations during the quarter, down 10% from the 4,865 ports and 891 stations added in the same period last year. However, installations increased 24% compared with the first quarter.
Networks Shift Focus
Paren said charging companies are increasingly building larger stations with more high-power chargers while investing in customer amenities such as restrooms, cafés and waiting areas.
Loren McDonald, chief analyst at Chargeonomics, said the industry is placing greater emphasis on operating performance rather than network expansion.
“A two-quarter year-over-year decline is not definitive proof of a slowdown.”
“Combined with recent CPO layoffs and pullbacks, it reinforces the industry’s new mantra: operations, customer experience, and profitability.”
Tesla remained the largest contributor to new deployments, adding 1,185 charging ports during the quarter. Walmart, ChargePoint, Red E and Electrify America were also among the leading network operators by new installations.
Growth Concentrated in Key States
Average charger utilization remained stable at 15.8%, suggesting new infrastructure is keeping pace with demand.
California accounted for the largest share of new deployments with 120 stations, followed by Texas, Florida, Illinois and New York. Together, the five states represented about 40% of all new fast-charging ports added during the quarter.
Meanwhile, several states saw little or no expansion. North Dakota added no new public fast-charging ports, while Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota each added one station.
Paren said the charging industry continues to invest despite slower deployment growth, anticipating continued expansion of the U.S. electric vehicle market.
