bp pulse Arizona Debut, Blink $20M Funding, SparkCharge Off-Grid Hub

Introduction

The EV charging industry continues its geographic expansion and business model evolution as bp pulse debuts in Arizona with 400-kilowatt chargers, Blink Charging raises $20 million to expand its DC fast charging network, and SparkCharge launches an innovative off-grid charging hub for Zipcar's fleet in Boston. At Shaffer Construction, Inc., we track these developments to help Los Angeles property owners understand the evolving charging landscape and make informed decisions about their commercial EV charger installations and residential charging solutions. This week we examine how major networks are expanding into new markets, what new funding means for infrastructure growth, and why off-grid charging solutions are gaining traction for fleet operators.

bp pulse Opens First Arizona Charging Site with 400kW Chargers

bp pulse has opened its first electric vehicle charging site in Arizona, located off Interstate 10 at a Petro Travel Center in Eloy. The site features 16 charging bays with power up to 400 kilowatts, enabling rapid charging for the latest EVs capable of accepting high-power delivery. The location includes amenities typical of travel centers including a convenience store, restrooms, on-site diner, and barber shop, providing drivers with options during charging sessions. Source: Electrek.

The Arizona debut accompanies additional bp pulse site openings in Texas, Florida, and Ohio. The El Paso, Texas location off Interstate 10 features 12 charging bays with 400-kilowatt speeds and both CCS and NACS connectors. The Fort Lauderdale, Florida site near the airport offers 16 chargers at 150 and 400 kilowatts, supporting ride-hailing drivers, EV rental returns, and airport traffic. The Ohio location in Hebron off Interstate 70 provides six charging bays at 400 kilowatts. All sites offer both CCS and NACS connectors for maximum vehicle compatibility. Source: Charged EVs.

These openings are part of bp pulse's broader strategy to build EV charging across bp's retail footprint including bp, Amoco, ampm, Thorntons, and TravelCenters of America locations. bp pulse has also announced plans to add EV chargers at Waffle House locations starting in 2026. Globally, bp pulse operates more than 40,000 charging points and plans to reach 100,000 stalls by 2030. For Los Angeles property owners, bp pulse's expansion demonstrates how major energy companies are investing in charging infrastructure alongside traditional fuel retail, validating the long-term market opportunity for EV charging at commercial properties.

Blink Charging Raises $20 Million to Expand DC Fast Charging Network

Blink Charging announced the pricing of a public offering of 26.7 million shares of common stock at $0.75 per share, with gross proceeds expected to total approximately $20 million. The company intends to use the net proceeds primarily to fund capital expenditures expanding its owned and operated DC fast charging network. The funding comes as Blink has become the fifth-largest DC fast charging network in the United States, having recently surpassed EV Connect with 1,621 ports. Source: GlobeNewswire.

Under CEO Mike Battaglia, who assumed the role in February 2025, Blink has emphasized commercial viability over reliance on government subsidies. Blink ended 2024 with 4,000 charging stalls and achieved a record 24 percent network utilization. The company expects NEVI and government programs to represent approximately 10 percent of capital expenditures in 2025, with the remainder funded through commercial operations and capital raises. Blink also acquired SemaConnect and transitioned its chargers to the Blink network, consolidating market position. Source: IndustryWeek.

The investment signals continued confidence in DC fast charging infrastructure despite near-term market volatility. As we covered in our analysis of record 2025 fast charging deployment, the industry is on pace to open 16,700 new fast charging ports this year. For commercial property owners, the continued flow of capital into charging infrastructure validates the strategic importance of providing charging access at retail, hospitality, and workplace locations.

SparkCharge and Zipcar Launch Off-Grid Charging Hub in Boston

SparkCharge, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, and Zipcar have launched the first off-grid mobile DC fast charging hub for shared electric vehicles in the Northeast. Located at Zipcar's maintenance facility in East Boston, an Environmental Justice community, the project delivers scalable EV infrastructure without traditional grid constraints. The Mobile Battery-Powered Trailer provides 320 kilowatts of DC fast charging, enabling on-site mechanics to rapidly recharge vehicles before dispatching them across Greater Boston for Zipcar members and rideshare drivers. Source: Electrek.

The trailer integrates with Zipcar's existing onsite power, drawing supplemental energy from the facility to recharge its high-capacity batteries between sessions. This approach ensures consistent high-speed charging without overloading the local grid, addressing one of the primary barriers to fleet electrification in urban areas with constrained electrical infrastructure. SparkCharge CEO Joshua Aviv noted that electrification should never be limited by grid location or infrastructure timelines, emphasizing how fleets can deploy at scale in any community. Source: GlobeNewswire.

SparkCharge recently raised $30.5 million to expand its mobile EV charging platform throughout North America and has delivered over 4 million kilowatt-hours to customers, eliminating approximately 500,000 gallons of gasoline use. The company also launched SparkAI, an AI-driven charging infrastructure planning platform for commercial fleet deployments. For property owners managing fleets or seeking flexible charging solutions, off-grid mobile charging offers an alternative to traditional fixed infrastructure, particularly valuable at locations with electrical capacity constraints. Shaffer Construction performs comprehensive electrical load studies to help property owners evaluate both traditional and innovative charging approaches.

Top Five Networks Control 80 Percent of DC Fast Charging Market

The top five DC fast charging networks now represent 80.5 percent of the total U.S. market, demonstrating significant consolidation in the fast charging sector. Tesla's Supercharging network remains dominant with nearly 32,000 stalls and 54.6 percent market share. Electrify America, EVgo, and ChargePoint follow with relatively similar network sizes between 4,150 and 4,900 ports each. Blink has risen to fifth position, having surpassed EV Connect. Source: EV Charging Stations.

Despite this consolidation at the top, the overall market continues expanding with new entrants. By the end of 2025, the U.S. is expected to have 63 charge point operators compared to 50 at the end of 2024. Growth of smaller players has been spurred partly by federal and state funding availability through NEVI and other programs. In 2024, four charge point operators opened 400 or more new ports, whereas 12 operators are likely to reach that threshold in 2025. Source: Paren Q2 2025 Report.

ChargePoint maintains distinct leadership in Level 2 destination charging with over 38,500 locations, more than eight times Tesla Destination Charging locations. This bifurcation between DC fast charging for travel corridors and Level 2 charging for destinations reflects different use cases: fast charging serves drivers needing rapid top-ups during trips, while Level 2 charging serves locations where vehicles park for extended periods. As we discussed in our analysis of workplace charging benefits, Level 2 installations at commercial properties align well with typical dwell times for employees, shoppers, and hotel guests.

Federal Funding Continues Flowing to Charging Infrastructure

EV charging companies continue tapping federal government funding from the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. In recent weeks, more than 40 states have solicited or signed contracts to build new charging stations in rural areas, underserved cities, and locations where infrastructure might not otherwise make economic sense. By the end of September, states had awarded contracts for 990 additional stations according to Atlas Public Policy. Source: Bloomberg.

ChargePoint Holdings CEO Rick Wilmer noted that the funding flow has accelerated deployment planning across the network's partners. However, the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Tax Credit (30C) providing up to $1,000 for residential installations and 30 percent of costs for commercial installations is scheduled to expire for chargers placed in service after June 30, 2026. Property owners considering installations should factor this deadline into their planning timelines.

California continues leading in federal funding capture. The California Energy Commission received a $55.9 million grant from the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Round 2 to install 21 public EV charging stations with at least 130 high-powered ports plus hydrogen refueling infrastructure. For Los Angeles property owners, the combination of federal programs, state incentives, and utility rebates from LADWP and Southern California Edison creates a favorable window for investment. As we detailed in our analysis of LADWP and SCE rebate programs, acting while these programs remain funded maximizes cost savings.

What These Developments Mean for Los Angeles Property Owners

This week's developments highlight several important themes for property owners evaluating charging infrastructure investments. bp pulse's expansion into Arizona, Texas, Florida, and Ohio demonstrates how major energy companies are investing across geographic markets, validating the long-term opportunity for EV charging at commercial locations. The 400-kilowatt charging speeds at new bp pulse sites reflect evolving expectations for fast charging performance.

Blink's $20 million capital raise to expand DC fast charging infrastructure signals continued investment despite market volatility. The company's emphasis on commercial viability rather than government subsidy dependence suggests a maturing business model for charging network operators. For property owners, this validates the potential for charging infrastructure to generate returns through user fees rather than solely through incentive programs.

SparkCharge's off-grid charging hub with Zipcar demonstrates innovative solutions for locations with electrical capacity constraints. The 320-kilowatt mobile charging approach enables fleet electrification without traditional infrastructure investments, potentially valuable for property owners managing vehicle fleets or seeking flexible charging solutions. Market consolidation with the top five networks controlling 80 percent of DC fast charging underscores the importance of selecting equipment compatible with major networks while Level 2 destination charging remains more fragmented with opportunities for property-based installations.

Conclusion

From bp pulse's Arizona debut with 400-kilowatt chargers to Blink's $20 million capital raise and SparkCharge's innovative off-grid fleet charging hub, this week's developments demonstrate the EV charging industry's continued expansion and evolution. Market consolidation among top networks, growing charge point operator counts, and sustained federal funding flow all point toward a maturing infrastructure ecosystem. For Los Angeles property owners, these trends reinforce the strategic value of investing in EV charging infrastructure while incentive programs remain available and before charging access becomes a standard expectation rather than a competitive differentiator.

Ready to explore EV charging options for your Los Angeles property? Contact Shaffer Construction, Inc. for a complimentary site assessment and expert guidance on selecting the right charging solution for your needs.

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