A New Generation of Charging is Here

The EV charging industry is changing.

After years of rapid expansion focused on port counts and coverage maps, a new generation of operators is emerging with a different priority: the experience itself.

This week, Ohm Analytics released their Q3 2025 US EV Charging Market Report, tracking trends across the commercial charging landscape. Ohm is the leading research firm covering EV charging infrastructure, with data used by more than 600 companies including major automakers, utilities, and charging networks. Their quarterly reports have become essential reading for anyone following this industry.

Among their findings this quarter: 38 emerging charge point operators are challenging legacy networks by focusing on reliability and brand loyalty rather than simply adding more chargers to more parking lots.

Rangeway was named among this next generation of operators.

What the Data Shows

The report paints a picture of an industry at an inflection point. DCFC installations grew 38% year over year in Q3 2025, a record quarter for fast charging deployment. State and utility programs contributed over $1 billion in available funding through 2025 alone, with more programs launching in 2026. The reinstatement of the NEVI program will further accelerate corridor charging infrastructure.

But the most interesting finding is not about volume. It is about who is building and why.

Ohm Analytics highlights Red E as an example of the trajectory emerging operators can achieve. In 2023, Red E had 51 ports in Michigan. Today, they have deployed over 1,100 ports across 43 states. The report notes that these newer operators represent an opportunity precisely because they are focused on profitability and reliability rather than racing to plant flags.

The implication is clear: the next phase of this industry will not be won by whoever has the most chargers. It will be won by whoever builds the charging experience that travelers actually want to use.

Why Experience Matters

While existing networks continue their coverage race, new entrants are asking a different question: what do EV travelers actually need during a 20 to 30 minute charging stop?

For us, the answer has always been clear. Travelers need indoor comfort. They need clean restrooms, reliable connectivity, and a space designed for the charging experience rather than bolted onto an existing parking lot. They need to know that every stop will meet the same standard, regardless of weather or location.

We think like hotel operators, not utility companies. That is not a marketing slogan. It is the operating philosophy behind every decision we make.

That conviction led us to build something the industry has not offered before: a climate-controlled Driver’s Lounge at every location. Not as a premium tier. Not at select flagship sites. At every single Rangeway location, whether it is a full-service Basecamp with a staffed café or a streamlined Waystation with automated retail.

This is not incremental improvement. It is a fundamentally different approach to serving travelers.

What This Means for Travelers

The trends in this report translate to better options for EV drivers. More charging infrastructure is coming online. More funding is flowing into the sector. More operators are recognizing that reliability and experience quality determine whether travelers trust a network enough to build their routes around it.

Commercial charging deployment is expected to remain resilient through 2026 despite broader EV sales fluctuations. The infrastructure is being built for the long term, not just for this year’s sales numbers.

For travelers planning road trips, this means the landscape is improving. For those who have endured one too many parking lot charging sessions in extreme heat or freezing cold, it means alternatives are emerging.

Looking Ahead

We are building Rangeway for travelers who want their journey to include stops worth making, not just stops they have to endure. Being recognized alongside other operators who share that focus on quality over quantity validates the approach we have taken from day one.

The industry is moving in the right direction. We are proud to be part of what comes next.