America's charging network passes 71,000 fast-charging ports — what every plug-in driver needs to know now
As of April 1, 2026, there are 71,398 public DC (direct current) fast-charging ports operating across the United States, according to data from EVChargingStations.com. That count grew by more than 3,500 stalls in Q1 2026 alone — roughly 30% more than the 2,700 stalls added during the same quarter in 2025. For Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) and Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) drivers, the infrastructure available for longer trips is expanding steadily. For Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) drivers, a denser public network means more opportunities to extend electric-only range on daily travel.
Growth in the network is meaningful. But understanding how to use it — and what it costs — matters as much as knowing where stations are located.
WHAT THE THREE CHARGING LEVELS ACTUALLY DO
Every plug-in vehicle charges through one of three power levels, and each level is built for a different use case. Level 1 uses a standard 120-volt household outlet and adds approximately 3–5 miles of range per hour — practical for overnight PHEV top-offs or light BEV charging when time is not a constraint. Level 2 uses a 240-volt circuit and delivers roughly 20–30 miles of range per hour, making it the standard for home charging installations and the most common type at workplace and retail stations. DC fast charging — sometimes called Level 3 — can restore 100 to 200 miles of range in 20 to 30 minutes at high-output stations, built specifically for highway travel and longer-distance trips. Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) do not plug in at all — their battery replenishes automatically through regenerative braking while driving, requiring no external charging equipment.
THE NEVI PROGRAM HAS RESUMED AFTER A 2025 PAUSE
The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, backed by $5 billion in federal funding through FY 2026, resumed momentum after a 2025 funding freeze was overturned by federal court order. Updated guidance from the Federal Highway Administration now gives states greater flexibility in how and where NEVI funds are deployed, including the ability to build stations on any public road once designated highway corridors are certified complete. As of early 2026, nine states have opened new rounds of grant funding for station installation, with $885 million apportioned nationally for FY 2026. Updated program rules also allow states to direct NEVI dollars toward medium- and heavy-duty charging upgrades after light-duty corridor requirements are met. For everyday drivers, the practical result is a steady pipeline of new public charging stations along established highway corridors nationwide.
More stations are being funded and built. And one of the country's most widely used charging networks changed what drivers will pay starting last month.
CHARGEPOINT ADDED NEW SESSION FEES STARTING IN MARCH 2026
Beginning in March 2026, ChargePoint began applying network access fees on top of the per-kWh or per-minute rates set by each station operator. Account holders now pay an additional $0.25 per Level 2 session and $0.49 per DC fast-charging session. Guest users — those without a ChargePoint account — pay $0.49 for Level 2 and $0.99 for DC fast charging. These fees do not apply to workplace charging, zero-energy sessions, or roaming partner stations such as EVgo and Blink. BEV and PHEV drivers who rely on ChargePoint locations regularly should calculate whether a subscription plan reduces their total cost compared to paying as a guest at each stop.
THE CONNECTOR STANDARD IS SHIFTING — AND IT AFFECTS WHERE YOU CAN CHARGE
Most major automakers — including General Motors, Ford, Rivian, Hyundai, and Kia — have adopted the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector, formalized as SAE J3400, beginning with 2025 model-year vehicles. EVgo, reporting its first-ever quarter of positive adjusted EBITDA on March 3, 2026, announced an NACS-first 2026 strategy targeting 1,400 to 1,650 new stalls and more than 400 NACS connectors across the network by year-end. Drivers whose vehicles use the older CCS1 (Combined Charging System Combo 1) port can still access NACS stations with a certified adapter, which typically retails between $150 and $300. Knowing which connector your vehicle uses — and whether an adapter is needed — is a practical step that eliminates unnecessary delays at any public charging stop.
HOME CHARGING REMAINS THE FOUNDATION
J.D. Power's 2026 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Home Charging Study found that BEV owners with a permanently mounted Level 2 home charger reported the highest satisfaction of any charging configuration — 733 points out of 1,000. For the vast majority of BEV and PHEV drivers, home charging handles daily needs comfortably, with public DC fast charging reserved for longer travel. Public infrastructure is the supplement; home is the anchor.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR DRIVERS RIGHT NOW
The public charging network is more capable and more widespread than it has ever been — but it is also more layered in terms of fees, connectors, and configuration. Drivers who understand their vehicle's charging level, confirm their connector type, and account for current network fee structures will have a smoother experience at every public stop. Infrastructure is advancing; driver knowledge is the final piece that makes it all work.
Contact Gateway EV Advisor today to talk about your EV questions. Gateway EV Advisor, Your Archway to Electric Driving.
Sources
EVChargingStations.com — Largest DC Fast-Charging Networks in the US: April 2026 — April 1,
2026
GreenCars — NEVI Charging Network Reboots in 2026 — 2026
EV Connect — New ChargePoint
Fees: What's Changing and Who Pays More — March 2026
J.D. Power — 2026 U.S. Electric Vehicle
Experience (EVX) Home Charging Study — 2026
GlobeNewswire — EVgo Inc. Reports Record Fourth
Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results — March 3, 2026
Government Market News — California Opens $79M
in Funding for EV Charging Stations Along Highways — 2026
U.S. News — NACS vs. CCS: What EV
Shoppers Need to Know in 2026 — 2026
driveelectric.gov — SAE J3400 Charging Connector — 2026