Introduction

First quarter 2026 sales data reveals a shifting competitive landscape in the U.S. electric vehicle market, with Toyota posting a 78.8 percent surge in bZ electric SUV deliveries and Hyundai's IONIQ 5 climbing 14 percent to record levels even as the broader market adjusts to the expiration of the federal $7,500 EV tax credit. New York City has opened a new network of 360-kilowatt fast chargers at municipal parking lots across the five boroughs, ChargePoint and Eaton have introduced a 600-kilowatt vehicle-to-everything charging architecture that promises 10-minute charging sessions, EVgo has formalized a decade-long partnership with Kroger to install 150 fast-charging stalls annually at grocery locations nationwide, and Los Angeles has cemented its position as the city with the most EV charging stations in the United States after adding nearly 16,000 chargers over the past two years. For Los Angeles property owners and businesses, these developments reinforce that EV adoption is broadening across manufacturers and that investing in professionally installed charging infrastructure with a licensed electrical contractor like Shaffer Construction, Inc. positions properties to serve the growing and diversifying population of EV drivers.

Toyota and Hyundai Post Strong Q1 2026 EV Sales as Market Diversifies Beyond Tesla

First quarter 2026 sales results show that the U.S. EV market is becoming increasingly competitive, with several manufacturers posting significant gains even as overall new EV sales declined 28 percent year over year following the September 2025 expiration of the federal $7,500 tax credit. As Toyota reported in its Q1 2026 sales results, the updated bZ electric SUV lineup delivered 10,029 units in the first three months of 2026, a 78.8 percent increase over Q1 2025, while the Lexus RZ more than tripled its sales pace to 4,456 units. Hyundai's IONIQ 5 continued its hot streak with a 14 percent sales increase to 9,790 units, marking the brand's strongest first quarter for electric vehicles. General Motors held relatively steady with 25,900 EV deliveries, while Tesla moved an estimated 122,196 units, down 4.6 percent but still commanding the largest share of the U.S. EV market.

The diversification of EV sales across manufacturers is a critical signal for charging infrastructure planning. As CarBuzz noted in its Q1 analysis, the market is shifting from a Tesla-dominated landscape to one where Toyota, Hyundai, GM, and other brands are capturing meaningful share, which means charging stations need to accommodate a wider range of vehicles with different connector types and charging speeds. As we covered in our analysis of the Q1 sales drop and used EV surge, the installed base of EVs on the road continues to grow even when new sales fluctuate, and the used EV market added 93,500 sales in Q1 alone at prices now within $1,300 of comparable gas vehicles. For Los Angeles property owners, the broadening manufacturer mix means that charging infrastructure investments serve an expanding customer base. Shaffer Construction installs charging systems compatible with all major EV brands throughout Los Angeles, ensuring that residential and commercial properties are equipped to serve the increasingly diverse EV market.

New York City Deploys 360-Kilowatt Fast Chargers at Municipal Parking Lots Across Five Boroughs

New York City has opened a new eight-unit fast-charging station at a municipal parking lot in downtown Flushing, Queens, featuring 360-kilowatt chargers capable of delivering an 80 percent charge in 10 to 15 minutes, as part of a broader initiative to deploy 66 EVolve NY fast chargers across 10 NYC Department of Transportation municipal parking facilities in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. As Electrek reported, the city has committed to installing over 300 EV chargers by 2027 with future deployments increasingly targeted at underserved communities to ensure equitable access to charging infrastructure. The New York Power Authority, which operates the EVolve NY network of 300 fast chargers statewide, plans to expand its total network to 400 chargers over the next year.

New York City's approach of deploying ultra-fast chargers at publicly owned parking facilities offers a model that cities across the country are watching closely, particularly for addressing the charging needs of residents who live in apartments and lack access to home charging. The 360-kilowatt power level represents the leading edge of public fast-charging technology, delivering speeds that make a charging stop comparable in time to a gasoline fill-up. For Los Angeles, where a significant portion of the population rents and many neighborhoods lack sufficient public charging, the NYC model demonstrates how municipal investment in charging infrastructure can complement private installation on commercial and residential properties. As we discussed in our report on the national DC fast-charging network surpassing 70,000 stalls, the combination of public and private charging investment is essential to meeting growing demand. Shaffer Construction works with commercial property owners throughout Los Angeles to design and install fast-charging systems that serve both tenants and the general public, with electrical infrastructure engineered to support the high-power charging capabilities that drivers increasingly expect.

ChargePoint and Eaton Launch 600-Kilowatt V2X Charging Architecture With 10-Minute Charging Capability

ChargePoint and Eaton have introduced the Express Grid, a 600-kilowatt vehicle-to-everything charging architecture that represents a significant leap forward in both charging speed and grid integration capability. As ChargePoint announced, the Express Grid system can charge compatible passenger EVs in approximately 10 minutes and scales to megawatt-class power for heavy-duty commercial applications. The system is V2G-enabled, meaning it can synchronize onsite renewable energy, battery storage, and EV batteries with local energy markets, allowing fleet operators and property owners to cut fueling costs while providing grid services. Eaton custom engineers each Express Grid configuration and ships site-ready power packages with an optional skid-mounted setup designed to speed installation, reduce equipment requirements, and simplify grid connections.

The Express Grid architecture addresses one of the most persistent challenges in high-power charging deployment: the electrical infrastructure required to deliver 600 kilowatts to a single vehicle, or megawatt-level power to commercial trucks, demands careful engineering of utility connections, transformers, switchgear, and distribution panels. Select customers in North America can order Express Grid systems now, with deliveries beginning in the second half of 2026. As we noted in our coverage of ChargePoint's network consolidation strategy, the company is pivoting toward higher-value infrastructure solutions that command premium positioning in the market. For Los Angeles commercial property owners considering future-proof charging installations, the emergence of 600-kilowatt-class chargers underscores the importance of designing electrical infrastructure with headroom for power levels that are evolving rapidly. Shaffer Construction provides electrical load studies and infrastructure design services that account for both current charging requirements and the trajectory toward higher-power systems, ensuring that properties are not locked into obsolete electrical configurations as the technology advances.

EVgo Formalizes Decade-Long Kroger Partnership to Install 150 Fast-Charging Stalls Annually Through 2035

EVgo has formalized an expanded partnership with the Kroger Family of Stores to install at least 150 fast-charging stalls annually through 2035, bringing high-power charging to grocery store locations across the United States where drivers can charge while they shop. As Electrek reported, the partnership builds on a collaboration that began in 2022 and will deploy up to 16 high-power fast-charging stalls at select Kroger-family locations including Kroger, Foods Co., Fred Meyer, Fry's Food Stores, Harris Teeter, King Soopers, and Smith's Food and Drug branded stores. The first new station under the expanded program is already operational in Salt Lake City, Utah, with additional locations targeted in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Washington, and other states. EVgo expects its total network to exceed 15,000 stalls nationwide by the end of 2029.

The grocery store charging model is particularly significant because it aligns charging time with an activity that most drivers already do regularly, eliminating the need for a dedicated charging trip. A typical grocery shopping visit of 30 to 45 minutes maps well to the charging time of current DC fast chargers, and as ultra-fast systems like the 360-kilowatt units in New York City become more widespread, even a quick 15-minute stop could deliver a substantial charge. For Los Angeles, where Kroger operates Ralph's and Food 4 Less locations throughout the metro area, the EVgo partnership signals growing retail interest in hosting charging infrastructure. As we covered in our discussion of California's 2026 building code EV charging requirements, commercial properties that proactively install charging infrastructure position themselves ahead of regulatory mandates while attracting the growing population of EV drivers. Shaffer Construction helps Los Angeles retail and commercial property owners evaluate site feasibility, design charging layouts that maximize customer convenience, and install systems that meet all applicable electrical codes and utility interconnection requirements.

Los Angeles Leads the Nation in EV Charging Stations After Adding 16,000 Chargers in Two Years

Los Angeles has solidified its position as the city with the most EV charging stations in the United States, with nearly 36,000 public chargers now in service after adding approximately 16,000 new chargers over the past two years, a 77 percent increase in available charging infrastructure. As EVCandi reported, the rapid expansion has been supported by federal funding including $15 million Charging and Fueling Infrastructure grants secured by the Bureau of Street Lighting, LA County, LA Metro, and Los Angeles World Airports from the Federal Highway Administration. The growth reflects both the city's aggressive policy push and the private sector's response to California's position as the nation's largest EV market, where more than 94 percent of residents now live within 10 minutes of a charging station.

The 77 percent increase in just two years demonstrates the velocity of infrastructure deployment that is now possible when federal incentives, state mandates, and private investment align. Los Angeles's scale advantage, with more EV chargers than any other U.S. city, creates a virtuous cycle where the availability of charging drives further EV adoption, which in turn drives further charging investment. For residential and commercial property owners throughout Los Angeles, the city's charging leadership means that EV drivers have high expectations for charging access at their homes, workplaces, and retail destinations. Properties without charging infrastructure risk losing tenants, customers, and competitive positioning in a market where EV ownership is increasingly mainstream. As we detailed in our coverage of the national fast-charging milestone and Ionna's $250 million California commitment, the investment flowing into Los Angeles charging infrastructure shows no signs of slowing. Shaffer Construction has been installing EV charging systems for residential and commercial clients across Los Angeles throughout this expansion, providing the electrical expertise, permitting knowledge, and installation quality that property owners need to participate in the city's charging infrastructure growth.

Conclusion

The Q1 2026 sales data confirms that the EV market is diversifying rapidly, with Toyota, Hyundai, and other manufacturers posting significant gains that are broadening the base of EV drivers who need charging infrastructure. New York City's deployment of 360-kilowatt municipal chargers and ChargePoint's introduction of 600-kilowatt V2X architecture demonstrate that charging technology is advancing toward speeds that make electric refueling comparable to gasoline, while EVgo's decade-long Kroger partnership proves that the retail charging model is scaling nationwide. Los Angeles's position as the city with the most EV charging stations in the country, backed by a 77 percent increase in just two years, underscores that the demand for professional charging infrastructure installation in this market has never been stronger.

Ready to install EV charging infrastructure that meets the growing demand from electric vehicle drivers across Los Angeles? Shaffer Construction, Inc. provides expert design, permitting, and installation services for residential and commercial charging systems, electrical load studies, and complete project management that helps you capture available incentives including the federal 30C tax credit and LADWP rebates before their respective deadlines.

Shaffer Construction, Inc.
325 N Larchmont Blvd. #202
Los Angeles, CA 90004
Phone: (323) 642-8509
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.shaffercon.com