EVgo Autocharge+ Hits 5 Million Sessions as California's 2025 EV Charging Mandates Take Effect
Introduction
As 2025 draws to a close, the EV charging industry continues demonstrating remarkable growth while new regulatory requirements reshape the landscape for property owners. EVgo's Autocharge+ feature has surpassed five million charging sessions, Rivian has opened over 90 percent of its Adventure Network to all electric vehicles, and California's 2025 EV charging mandates are now in full effect with significant implications for building owners. At Shaffer Construction, Inc., we track these developments to help Los Angeles property owners navigate the evolving requirements for commercial EV charger installations and residential charging solutions. This week's news underscores both the growing convenience of EV charging and the increasing regulatory pressure on property owners to provide charging infrastructure.
EVgo Autocharge+ Surpasses Five Million Sessions
EVgo announced that its Autocharge+ feature has surpassed five million charging sessions, demonstrating the growing adoption of seamless plug-and-charge technology. The company has experienced sixfold growth in enrollment since 2023, with over 300,000 customers now registered for the service. Nearly 30 percent of all EVgo charging sessions are now initiated using Autocharge+, reflecting driver preference for frictionless charging experiences. Source: Stock Titan.
Autocharge+ eliminates the need for drivers to use apps, cards, or payment terminals when charging. Vehicles enrolled in the program are automatically identified when connected to a charger, and billing occurs seamlessly through the registered payment method. Nearly 80 different EV models are now eligible for Autocharge+, with the highest enrollments coming from drivers of Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, and Rivian vehicles. This technology, also known as Plug and Charge or ISO 15118, is becoming the industry standard for public charging convenience.
For commercial property owners considering EV charger installations, the success of Autocharge+ highlights the importance of choosing networked charging equipment that supports modern payment and authentication standards. Properties that install advanced charging infrastructure provide better experiences for EV drivers, potentially attracting more customers and tenants. As we discussed in our analysis of EVgo's record growth, the company's strong performance validates the market opportunity for property owners who invest in charging infrastructure.
Rivian Adventure Network Opens to All Electric Vehicles
Rivian has significantly expanded access to its Adventure Network, with over 90 percent of charging stations now available to all electric vehicles regardless of brand. This represents dramatic growth from just 40 percent accessibility at the end of Q1 2025, increasing to 50 percent in late May, 65 percent by the end of Q2, 78 percent in mid-September, and now exceeding 90 percent. The network maintains an impressive 98 percent uptime and has grown to over 850 chargers across 123 sites in 37 states. Source: EV Charging Stations.
Rivian is also aligning with the industry shift to the North American Charging Standard. In July 2025, the company began installing NACS connectors at key Charging Outposts, starting with Joshua Tree, Yosemite, and the Hamptons. Currently, 20 stalls across the network feature NACS connectors, with expansion ongoing. All 2026 and newer Rivian vehicles include built-in NACS charge ports, enabling direct access to over 21,500 Tesla Superchargers, while 2022-2025 vehicle owners can use NACS DC adapters. Source: EV Charging Stations.
The latest Rivian software update adds Plug and Charge functionality at Electrify America and IONNA stations across the United States, further simplifying the charging experience. Additionally, Rivian's Smart Charging Schedule Recommendation feature helps owners reduce home charging costs by automatically shifting sessions to off-peak hours, with potential savings of up to 20 percent annually or as much as $900 per year in certain markets. For property owners, Rivian's network expansion and commitment to interoperability demonstrate how the charging landscape is consolidating around open access and standardized connectors, making equipment selection decisions simpler.
SparkCharge Launches AI Platform for Fleet Charging Infrastructure
SparkCharge, operator of the world's largest off-grid electric vehicle fleet charging network, announced the launch of SparkAI, the first AI-driven charging infrastructure planning platform specifically designed for commercial EV fleet deployments. The platform addresses a critical industry challenge: more than 80 percent of electrification projects face grid capacity limitations that can delay deployments by 18 to 24 months. Source: GlobeNewswire.
SparkAI combines real-world intelligence, project location-specific datasets, weather forecasts, and a comprehensive global EV database to create optimized charging infrastructure plans for fleet owners and operators. The platform helps fleet operators reduce total infrastructure and operating costs by 15 to 30 percent through accurate forecasting and intelligent system sizing. SparkAI is immediately available across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The emergence of AI-powered planning tools reflects the growing complexity of commercial fleet electrification. Properties hosting fleet charging operations benefit from sophisticated analysis that optimizes charger placement, power requirements, and operational scheduling. Shaffer Construction performs comprehensive electrical load studies to help property owners understand their current capacity and plan installations that accommodate fleet charging demands without requiring costly utility service upgrades.
California's 2025 EV Charging Mandates Now in Effect
California's comprehensive 2025 EV charging requirements are now fully in effect, imposing significant obligations on property owners and charging network operators. Beginning January 1, 2025, the California Energy Commission must assess the uptime of EV chargers statewide, with considerations for equitable access across income levels. EV chargers purchased through state incentive programs or funded by ratepayer charges must now meet a 97 percent uptime requirement and share real-time data on availability and accessibility. Source: Alternative Fuels Data Center.
Assembly Bill 1738 requires the California Department of Housing and Community Development to adopt regulations requiring the installation of EV charging stations in parking facilities of existing buildings, not just new construction. This represents a significant expansion beyond previous requirements under AB 2075, which applied only to new buildings. Existing buildings must now provide charging power at Level 2 or higher, with inclusion of DC fast chargers in their parking facilities. Source: Paired Power.
California has also streamlined permitting requirements effective September 30, 2025. Cities and counties with populations above 250,000 must approve EV charger installation applications within five to ten business days, depending on the number of chargers proposed. Applications are automatically approved after 20 to 40 business days if the jurisdiction does not act. These provisions significantly accelerate the installation timeline for property owners ready to add charging infrastructure.
Multifamily Housing EV Charging Requirements Intensify
Multifamily property owners face increasingly stringent EV charging requirements under California's CALGreen building standards. For new multifamily housing and hotels, 40 percent of parking spaces must be capable of supporting a low-power Level 2 EV charger, and 10 percent of parking spaces must be equipped with Level 2 chargers at the time of construction. Looking ahead to 2026, California's building codes will require that at least one parking space per unit in multi-family developments be EV Ready, meaning equipped with a 240-volt, 20-amp outlet or charger. Source: Alternative Fuels Data Center.
These requirements reflect California's recognition that many residents live in multifamily housing and cannot easily install home chargers without building owner participation. The California Energy Commission estimates the state will need 2.11 million public and shared private charging stations by 2035, including 83,000 fast chargers, to support the 15.2 million passenger plug-in EVs expected on California roads. Achieving this goal requires 513 new chargers installed per day through the end of 2030.
Significant incentives remain available to offset multifamily installation costs. The California Energy Commission's Communities in Charge Project provides over $56 million specifically for multi-family residential complexes, funding Level 1 and Level 2 EV chargers at apartment buildings and condominiums. Various utility programs, including PG&E's Multifamily Housing and Small Business EV Charger Program, cover substantial portions of installation costs. As we detailed in our guide to EV charger funding, layering multiple incentive programs can make installations remarkably affordable for property owners who act while programs remain funded.
U.S. Charging Infrastructure Gap Remains Significant
Despite rapid progress, the United States faces a substantial gap between current charging infrastructure and projected needs. Through Q2 2025, publicly available EV chargers increased 12 percent from 2024, while total EVs on the road also grew 12 percent. During the quarter, 9,424 new public chargers were added, representing a ratio of 41 new EVs for every new public charging port. More than one million additional public chargers are required to meet the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's infrastructure estimate for 2030. Source: Repairer Driven News.
The infrastructure gap creates opportunity for property owners. As public charging demand grows faster than public infrastructure deployment, properties that offer charging become increasingly valuable to EV drivers. Workplace charging, retail charging, and multifamily residential charging all address segments of this unmet demand. Properties without charging capabilities face growing competitive disadvantage as the EV driver population expands and drivers increasingly factor charging access into decisions about where to live, work, and shop.
The trend toward higher-capacity infrastructure continues accelerating. Large charging operators are standardizing around 10 chargers per site with 350 to 400 kilowatt capacity, and the share of 250-plus kilowatt chargers has risen sharply to 38 percent from 24 percent among non-Tesla networks. This shift toward higher power reflects growing demand for faster charging speeds as battery technology improves and drivers expect shorter charging sessions.
What These Developments Mean for Los Angeles Property Owners
This week's news carries significant implications for Los Angeles property owners. EVgo's Autocharge+ milestone and Rivian's network expansion demonstrate that the charging experience continues improving, making EV ownership increasingly practical for more drivers. As charging becomes more seamless and networks become more interoperable, the pool of potential EV drivers seeking convenient charging locations grows steadily larger.
California's 2025 mandates create new compliance obligations for property owners, particularly those with existing buildings that must now consider EV charging installations. The requirement for 97 percent uptime on incentive-funded chargers underscores the importance of professional installation and ongoing maintenance. Properties that install charging infrastructure should partner with experienced contractors who understand both the technical requirements and the regulatory landscape.
The infrastructure gap between current deployment and projected 2030 needs represents both challenge and opportunity. Properties that install charging now capture early-mover advantage while incentive programs remain well-funded. The combination of CEC incentives, utility rebates, and federal tax credits creates a favorable window for investment that may not persist indefinitely as programs reach funding limits or eligibility requirements change.
Conclusion
From EVgo's five million Autocharge+ sessions to California's 2025 charging mandates taking effect, this week's developments highlight both the growing sophistication of EV charging infrastructure and the increasing regulatory pressure on property owners to provide charging access. Rivian's expansion of its Adventure Network to over 90 percent non-Rivian accessibility and SparkCharge's AI-powered fleet planning platform demonstrate how the industry continues innovating to serve the rapidly growing EV population. For Los Angeles property owners, these trends reinforce the strategic importance of investing in EV charging infrastructure while incentives remain available and before regulatory requirements make installations mandatory rather than optional.
Ready to explore EV charging options for your Los Angeles property? Contact Shaffer Construction, Inc. for a complimentary site assessment and expert guidance on navigating California's EV charging requirements.
Shaffer Construction, Inc.
325 N Larchmont Blvd. #202
Los Angeles, CA 90004
Phone: (323) 642-8509
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Website: www.shaffercon.com