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April 10, 2025 – Electricity consumption at public charging stations (PCS) across the United States surged by over 72% in fiscal year 2025–26, underscoring a steady acceleration in electric vehicle adoption—both for personal and commercial use—as the country’s automotive sector pivots toward cleaner energy.
Data compiled by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) shows that public chargers consumed 848 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) in FY2024–25, jumping to 1,460 million kWh in FY2025–26. More than 74% of that electricity went to heavy‑duty public chargers powering electric buses, trucks, high‑capacity passenger coaches, and commercial fleet vehicles. Light‑duty and medium‑duty personal and commercial EVs accounted for the remaining 26%.
The sharp increase is largely attributed to the rapid electrification of commercial fleets, which rely on high‑capacity DC fast chargers. States like California, New York, and Texas have led the push, deploying thousands of new chargers along major freight corridors and transit hubs. According to the DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Office, the number of heavy‑duty public chargers in the U.S. grew by 40% year‑over‑year, enabling longer routes for electric trucks and buses.
“The 72% jump in charging consumption is a clear signal that fleet operators are moving beyond pilot programs and into full‑scale deployment,” said Dr. Amelia Torres, director of the DOE’s Clean Energy Transportation Initiative. “We’re seeing a virtuous cycle: more chargers attract more EVs, which in turn drives further charger investment.”
While the national average is impressive, regional disparities persist. The West Coast and Northeast posted the highest growth rates, consuming over 60% of the total public charging electricity. In contrast, the Midwest and Southeast are still catching up, hindered by permitting delays and grid capacity constraints.
The DOE’s data also highlights the importance of “fleet‑focused” charging hubs. These installations, often located near distribution centers and logistics parks, can deliver up to 350 kW per port. In FY2025–26, such hubs accounted for nearly half of the total electricity consumed at public chargers, even though they represent only 20% of the total charger count.
Although commercial fleets dominate the headline numbers, personal EV adoption is also gaining momentum. Light‑duty public chargers—Level 2 and some fast chargers—saw a 50% increase in electricity consumption, indicating that more drivers are using public infrastructure for top‑ups rather than relying solely on home charging.
“The convenience of public charging is improving, especially along major highways and in urban centers,” said James Carter, an analyst at the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). “We’re seeing a shift from ‘range anxiety’ to ‘charger availability anxiety,’ which is a good problem to have—it means demand is real.”
The surge in charging consumption has been supported by federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocated $7.5 billion for EV charging infrastructure. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program has already deployed over 12,000 new chargers in FY2025–26, with a focus on interstate corridors.
Private investment has also accelerated. Major charging networks like Electrify America, ChargePoint, and Tesla have expanded their networks, with Tesla opening its Supercharger network to non‑Tesla vehicles. This interoperability has boosted utilization rates, especially at stations near shopping centers and rest stops.
The DOE projects that public charging electricity consumption could double again in FY2026–27, as more school buses, delivery vans, and long‑haul trucks enter service. The agency is also piloting “grid‑integrated” charging stations that can supply power back to the grid during peak demand, turning EVs into mobile energy storage units.
“The 72% increase is not a one‑time spike,” Dr. Torres added. “It’s the beginning of a sustained upward trend as the U.S. moves toward its goal of 50% EV sales by 2030. The infrastructure is scaling to meet that demand.”
In a development that adds context to the data, the DOE released a complementary report earlier this week on public
