What It Takes for CPOs to Scale EV Charging Networks in 2026: 3 Priorities to Address Now

From Range Anxiety to Charge Anxiety

Public charging infrastructure has grown significantly in the past two years. In the U.S., DC fast-charging networks expanded under programs such as the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. In Europe, public charging points surpassed one million by mid-2025 (EVBoosters analysis of European Alternative Fuels Observatory [EAFO] data) and are expected to reach 1.2 million by year-end.

However, driver satisfaction is declining. The 2025 J.D. Power U.S. EVX Public Charging Study (with PlugShare, 7,428 drivers) found non-charging visits fell to 14% from 19% the previous year, indicating improved reliability. Despite this, overall satisfaction dropped as costs, payment friction, and lack of price transparency became more significant concerns than charger functionality.

Source:JDPower

The FIA European Bureau’s 2025 study supports these findings, recommending simpler pricing, clearer cost communication, and better accessibility across the EU. For charge point operators (CPOs), the main challenge has shifted from charger availability to delivering a seamless charging experience. Three priorities are critical.

1. Create a Frictionless Driver Experience

   Charge anxiety has replaced range anxiety as the main barrier to EV adoption. Charge anxiety is the concern that the charging experience will be frustrating, even when chargers are available nearby. This includes issues such as broken chargers, unclear pricing, cumbersome payment systems, and long waits. The J.D. Power study confirms that improving EV charging network reliability alone does not increase driver satisfaction. Media coverage in the U.S. describes a “dissatisfaction paradox” where reliability improves but overall satisfaction declines.

   What are the most common friction points EV drivers face at public charging stations?

   The table below maps the most frequently reported driver pain points to the EV charging management platform capabilities that address them.

   Driver Friction Point	Platform Capability That Addresses It
   No visibility into charger location, availability, or operational status	Real-time map with live availability, power rating per connector, and estimated wait times
   Arriving at broken or out-of-service chargers	In-app fault reporting, remote diagnostics, and prioritized dispatch to reduce repeat failures
   Payment friction and complex account setup	Unified driver account, multiple payment methods, roaming support, and optional Plug & Charge
   Lack of price transparency and unexpected costs	Display of tariffs, idle fees, and peak/off-peak rates before session start; estimated session cost
   Confusing session information during charging	Live session progress showing energy delivered, power level, and estimated time to target state of charge

   For CPOs, the driver-facing app or portal is the primary brand touchpoint. Failed payments, unclear tariffs, or confusing session flows directly impact retention and utilization. CPOs should set clear reliability and satisfaction KPIs and invest in tools that streamline charging, simplify sign-up, and ensure consistency across AC and DC sessions.

2. Prioritize Smarter Energy Management on Site

   As DC fast-charging and session volumes grow, site-level demand strains local grid connections and exposes operators to demand charges and capacity limits. The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Global EV Outlook 2025 confirms that electrification is shifting significant energy demand to electricity grids, especially at the distribution level.

   
   Without load management, sites with multiple high-power DC chargers must provision grid capacity for peak combined load, which is often uneconomical. Smart energy management allows CPOs to share power dynamically, cap site load, and prioritize connectors based on real-time demand. This enables more charging stalls per grid connection and can delay or avoid costly upgrades.

   How can CPOs manage energy while scaling their charging infrastructure?

   The following tactics directly address site-level energy challenges:

   • Implement dynamic load management to adjust power per charger based on the number of active sessions and contractual grid limits.
   • Phase power upgrades based on measured utilization rather than worst-case assumptions, using data from actual session patterns to time capital investments.
   • Integrate on-site generation and storage (e.g., solar and battery storage systems) to increase effective capacity during peak times and reduce grid dependency.
   • Use tariffs aligned with energy constraints (such as peak/off-peak rates and idle fees) to shape demand and protect margins.
   • Design sites with backup strategies such as storage, redundant equipment, and fail-over modes to ensure some chargers remain operational during partial outages, protecting driver trust and revenue.

   In the EU, the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) requires high-power fast-charging stations every 60 km along major highways, with minimum power output increasing through 2027. Meeting these requirements cost-effectively depends on intelligent site-level energy management to balance grid constraints and charging demand

3. Utilize Data to Inform Business Growth

   As networks expand, CPOs collect valuable operational data, including charger health, session logs, pricing, revenue, site performance, and driver behavior. Systematic use of this data supports revenue growth, capital efficiency, and lower operating costs. The IEA’s Global EV Outlook 2025 highlights that data-driven decision-making is essential in a rapidly expanding and competitive market.

   Data used for initial site selection, such as traffic, dwell patterns, EV density, and proximity to amenities, should continue to guide expansion. Best practices in data-driven site selection now extend from choosing locations to optimizing existing sites. CPOs can identify high-utilization sites for expansion, low-utilization sites for redesign or pricing changes, and use analytics to adjust tariffs based on demand and capacity.

   Leading CPOs treat driver experience, energy management, and data as an integrated system. Driver charging patterns and satisfaction inform analytics, which guide energy strategies and expansion. Energy constraints and site performance then shape pricing and experience design. This closed loop is what separates high-performing CPOs from the rest, enabling profitable scaling, continuous service enhancement, and a measurable return on every infrastructure investment.