EV analysts warn of an "emerging charging divide" between rural and urban areas. Despite political resistance, the number of EV fast-charging ports continues to grow.

Data from Paren shows 45% of rural counties had at least one fast-charging port in Q1 2025, compared to 76.5% of metropolitan counties. The U.S. has around 60,000 DC fast-charging ports, with 3,600+ added this year alone.

Utilization Gaps and Investment Risks

Rural areas lag due to low utilization rates. Urban areas like San Francisco and Miami see 30-40% usage during peak hours, but rural regions often remain in the low teens.

States like North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana show the lowest usage and fewest ports. Paren's Loren McDonald says rural EV markets can't sustain private investment: "There aren't enough cars on the road to support the infrastructure."

NEVI Program Suspended Amid Political Strife

The $5B NEVI program was paused by the Trump administration in February 2025, halting state-level deployment and triggering lawsuits. By then, $3.3B had been allocated and 57 NEVI-funded stations built in 15 states, including rural-heavy Ohio.

In Arizona's La Paz County, a Supercharger station with 84 ports anchors a 140-port hub, the largest in any rural county.

In May, the Government Accountability Office ruled that DOT lacked the authority to suspend NEVI, but litigation continues. Some states have since frozen new funding rounds.

Incentives Beyond NEVI

McDonald emphasizes other funding sources: utility programs and tax credits help cover setup costs and hardware.

He compared today's EV buildout to the 1930s Rural Electrification Act: "Government support is essential to make it happen where the market won't."

EV sales rose in 2024, and the IEA expects continued growth in 2025 despite policy setbacks.