US EV Charging Network Grows 33% in 2025 as Tesla Superchargers Lose Market Share

The United States ended 2025 with nearly 68,000 public DC fast-charging ports—a 33% increase from the approximately 51,000 ports that existed at the start of the year. The expansion represents the most significant buildout of EV charging infrastructure in American history, yet it comes with a twist: Tesla's Supercharger network, long the gold standard for EV charging, is losing market share to competitors even as it continues to grow.

The Infrastructure Boom

According to data from the Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC), the U.S. added approximately 17,000 new DC fast-charging ports during 2025. This expansion was driven by a combination of federal incentives, state mandates, private investment, and the growing realization that charging infrastructure is essential to mass EV adoption.

The pace of growth accelerated through the year, with the final quarter seeing particularly strong additions. If the momentum continues, the U.S. could reach 85,000 to 90,000 DC fast-charging ports by the end of 2026—roughly triple the number from just three years ago.

"We're finally seeing the infrastructure catch up to the vehicles," observed John Bozzella, president of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. "Range anxiety has been the biggest barrier to EV adoption. That barrier is falling."

Tesla's Shifting Position

Tesla's Supercharger network remains the largest in America, with approximately 35,682 stalls and a 52.5% market share. But that share has fallen from 57% at the beginning of 2025—a notable erosion of the dominant position the company has held since pioneering the fast-charging concept.

The decline is partly a function of Tesla opening its network to non-Tesla vehicles. More than two-thirds of Superchargers in North America now accept EVs from other manufacturers, a strategic shift that generates additional revenue but also dilutes what was once an exclusive advantage for Tesla buyers.

Tesla's Supercharger expansion also slowed during 2025 following layoffs in the charging division that made headlines in April. While the company has since resumed growth, the disruption allowed competitors to close the gap.

The Competition Heats Up

Three networks are jockeying for position behind Tesla:

Electrify America operates approximately 5,350 ports across the country, making it the second-largest network. Backed by Volkswagen's $2 billion investment following the diesel emissions scandal, Electrify America has built stations along major highway corridors and in metropolitan areas.

EVgo has grown to roughly 4,900 ports, focusing on urban locations and retail partnerships. The company has emphasized reliability and customer experience, addressing complaints that have plagued some competitors.

ChargePoint operates about 4,456 DC fast-charging ports while also maintaining a much larger network of Level 2 chargers. ChargePoint's model differs from competitors in that it primarily sells hardware and software to site hosts rather than owning the charging infrastructure directly.

Combined, these three networks account for about 22% of the market—a substantial block that, while still far behind Tesla, is growing faster than the leader.

The NACS Transition

The charging industry is in the midst of a significant transition from the CCS1 connector standard to the North American Charging Standard (NACS), formerly known as the Tesla connector. Major automakers including Ford, General Motors, and Mercedes-Benz have announced plans to adopt NACS, validating Tesla's technology as the de facto standard.

This transition benefits Tesla in the long run—its connector becomes universal—but creates near-term complexity as networks add NACS ports alongside existing CCS connectors. The dual-standard period may extend into 2027 or 2028 before NACS achieves full dominance.

"NACS is going to be the standard, that's settled," said Drew Baglino, Tesla's former senior vice president of powertrain and energy engineering. "The question is how quickly the transition happens and who captures the growth."

Reliability Remains a Challenge

Despite the infrastructure expansion, reliability continues to frustrate EV drivers. Studies consistently show that a significant percentage of charging attempts fail due to equipment malfunctions, payment processing issues, or occupied stalls. Tesla's Supercharger network has historically led on reliability metrics, but even it isn't immune to occasional failures.

The Biden administration's National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program requires charging stations built with federal funds to meet 97% uptime standards. Whether operators can consistently achieve this target remains to be seen.

"Building chargers is the easy part," noted Consumer Reports analyst Chris Harto. "Keeping them working reliably is where the industry needs to improve."

The Investment Opportunity

The charging infrastructure buildout represents a multi-billion-dollar investment opportunity. Companies across the value chain—from charging equipment manufacturers to utilities to real estate owners hosting stations—stand to benefit from the expansion.

ChargePoint (CHPT), EVgo (EVGO), and Blink Charging (BLNK) are publicly traded pure-play charging companies, though all have faced challenges achieving profitability. Utilities like Duke Energy and Southern Company are investing in charging infrastructure as a growth opportunity.

Tesla's energy and charging business, while a smaller part of its overall revenue, has shown strong growth and could become more significant as the Supercharger network monetizes access from non-Tesla vehicles.

What This Means for EV Buyers

For current and prospective EV owners, the charging expansion is unambiguously good news. More stations mean less waiting, more route flexibility, and reduced anxiety about finding a charge when needed.

The NACS transition will eventually simplify charging for all EV owners, regardless of brand. A Ford driver will be able to use Tesla Superchargers as easily as a Tesla driver—a significant improvement over the current fragmented landscape.

However, the transition period may create temporary confusion. Adapters, app compatibility, and connector availability will vary by location and vehicle. Buyers should research charging compatibility carefully before purchasing a new EV.

Looking Ahead

The trajectory for 2026 points toward continued rapid expansion. Federal and state incentives remain in place, private investment continues to flow, and automakers are pressuring charging networks to expand to support their vehicle sales.

The competitive landscape will continue to evolve. Tesla's dominant position is no longer unassailable, but the company's head start and brand recognition provide durable advantages. Whether competitors can achieve the scale and reliability to truly challenge the Supercharger network remains an open question.

For now, the clear winner is the American driver considering an electric vehicle. The charging infrastructure that once seemed inadequate for mass adoption is rapidly becoming sufficient—and eventually, excellent. The EV revolution that has sometimes felt stalled may be about to accelerate.