Tesla 3D Maps, Porsche Exits China Charging, Ford Plug & Charge

Introduction

On this Christmas Eve, the EV charging industry brings developments that will shape the driver experience into 2026. Tesla has introduced innovative 3D Supercharger site maps in its holiday software update, Porsche announced it will close its proprietary charging network in China by March 2026, and Ford has expanded Plug and Charge to IONNA stations just in time for holiday travel. 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 technology improvements are enhancing the charging experience, strategic network shifts in global markets, and holiday travel charging preparedness.

Tesla Introduces 3D Supercharger Site Maps in Holiday Update

Tesla's 2025 Holiday Update introduces live 3D Supercharger site maps that display real-time views of charging locations, solving last-mile navigation challenges that have frustrated EV drivers. The new feature shows not only the physical layout of each Supercharger site but also live occupancy status for each stall, including whether spots are available, occupied, or down. The maps accurately reflect disabled stalls, vehicle orientation, towing stalls, and nearby businesses, allowing drivers to plan their approach before arriving. Source: Not A Tesla App.

Tesla is piloting the feature at 18 select Supercharger sites across California and Texas, with plans to expand to all locations over time. Max de Zegher, Tesla's Director of Charging North America, confirmed the company will refine the feature before broader rollout. The visualization addresses a common pain point for EV owners: arriving at a Supercharger only to find all stalls occupied creates unnecessary delays, particularly during peak holiday travel periods. The feature requires AMD Ryzen hardware, though vehicles without the hardware may still access the underlying availability data. Source: InsideEVs.

For property owners considering charging installations, Tesla's investment in user experience features demonstrates the importance of providing clear, accessible information to EV drivers. Properties that communicate charging availability, provide clear wayfinding to charging locations, and maintain reliable equipment create positive experiences that build customer loyalty. As we covered in our analysis of U.S. charging network growth, the industry added 16,700 fast charging ports in 2025, making station visibility increasingly important.

Porsche to Close China EV Charging Network by March 2026

Porsche has confirmed plans to close its self-operated charging hubs in China starting March 1, 2026, affecting approximately 200 stations. The company will discontinue its Porsche Premium Charging service in China and transition to partnerships with third-party charging operators. The shutdown applies only to Porsche-exclusive fast charging stations, while dealer chargers, destination charging, and third-party network access will remain available to Porsche owners. Source: Electrive.

The decision follows challenging market conditions for Porsche in China, where sales fell 26 percent in the first nine months of 2025 as economic weakness and competition from domestic brands eroded market share. China now has over 1.2 million public fast chargers through networks like TELD and State Grid, reducing the value proposition of proprietary charging networks. Porsche posted a $1.1 billion quarterly loss in October, its first since going public in 2022, with operating margins collapsing from 14.1 percent to 0.2 percent. Source: Bloomberg.

For U.S. property owners, Porsche's China exit illustrates how mature public charging networks can reduce the need for proprietary brand-specific infrastructure. As public networks expand and standardize around NACS connectors, EV drivers benefit from access to any compatible charger regardless of vehicle brand. Properties that install open-network charging equipment serve all EV drivers rather than limiting access to specific brands.

Ford Expands Plug and Charge to IONNA for Holiday Travel

Ford has expanded Plug and Charge functionality to IONNA stations nationwide, simplifying the charging experience for holiday travelers. IONNA, the joint venture backed by eight automakers, currently has 1,110 fast chargers either operational or under construction with a goal of 30,000 by 2030. Ford's Plug and Charge allows drivers to simply plug in their vehicle without apps, cards, or payment terminals, with authentication and billing handled automatically. Source: The Cooldown.

The expansion adds to Ford's growing list of Plug and Charge compatible networks, which already includes Electrify America, EVolve NY, and Tesla Superchargers. Ford reports over 99 percent Plug and Charge success rate across its BlueOval Charge Network. With over 1,200 chargers at more than 330 Ford dealerships across the U.S. and Canada, Ford Charge at dealerships will support Plug and Charge at all locations by early 2026. BMW, General Motors, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Rivian drivers can also use Plug and Charge at IONNA stations. Source: Ford Authority.

For commercial property owners, Plug and Charge compatibility reduces friction for EV drivers and eliminates common support issues related to payment and authentication. As more vehicles and networks support the ISO 15118 standard underlying Plug and Charge, properties with compatible equipment deliver seamless experiences that match driver expectations. Shaffer Construction helps clients select equipment supporting the latest charging standards.

Pennsylvania Receives $112 Million Federal Approval for EV Charging

Pennsylvania has received federal approval to spend the remaining $112 million in NEVI program funds for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This follows the state's opening of its first federally-funded charging station on the Pennsylvania Turnpike at Blue Mountain Service Plaza, with a second station at New Stanton expected to open this week. Working with Applegreen Electric, Pennsylvania plans to install 80 new universal EV charging stations across all 17 Turnpike service plazas by the end of 2027. Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Governor Josh Shapiro's administration successfully challenged earlier attempts to freeze NEVI program funds, helping keep projects moving forward. PennDOT's Corridor Connections Funding Opportunity, released October 7, 2025, began accepting proposals on December 22 through January 30, 2026. The Pennsylvania Turnpike is one of the state's most heavily traveled roads, particularly during holiday travel periods, making charging infrastructure along the corridor essential for EV adoption.

Pennsylvania's continued NEVI progress demonstrates that federal infrastructure investment can proceed despite policy disputes. For California property owners, the expanding interstate charging network supports EV adoption by reducing range anxiety for travelers from other states visiting Los Angeles or California residents traveling elsewhere. As we discussed in our analysis of Pennsylvania's first NEVI station, the growing national network creates a comprehensive ecosystem supporting long-distance EV travel.

Holiday Travel Charging: Tips and Infrastructure Readiness

With millions of Americans traveling for Christmas, EV charging infrastructure faces peak demand. Industry data indicates the busiest travel periods occur between 12 PM and 1 PM and 3 PM to 4 PM, with charging stations experiencing corresponding peaks. EV drivers are advised to charge early in the morning or after 4 PM to avoid congestion, maintain battery charge around 80 percent for optimal battery health, and use trip planning tools to identify available charging locations along routes.

The U.S. currently has over 81,000 EV charging stations with more than 250,000 individual charging ports, representing a 17 percent increase compared to the start of 2025. Tesla's Supercharger network, the largest with over 34,700 stalls, set new usage records during Thanksgiving travel. Electrify America recently demonstrated the capability of its Hyper-Fast charging network through a 1,765-mile journey across 14 states from Portland, Maine to Key West, Florida, a route popular during holiday travel.

For property owners, holiday travel patterns reinforce the value of charging infrastructure at hotels, retail centers, and destination properties. Travelers arriving in Los Angeles seek convenient charging during their stay, while local residents appreciate charging access at holiday shopping destinations. Properties with reliable charging availability during peak periods build loyalty among EV drivers who value dependable access.

What These Developments Mean for Los Angeles Property Owners

This week's developments highlight several important themes for property owners evaluating charging infrastructure investments. Tesla's 3D Supercharger maps demonstrate that user experience continues improving, raising driver expectations for charging information and accessibility. Properties that provide clear communication about charging availability and location create positive experiences matching these elevated expectations.

Porsche's exit from China's proprietary charging network illustrates how mature public networks reduce the need for brand-specific infrastructure. As U.S. networks standardize around NACS and interoperability improves, properties with open-network equipment serve the broadest range of vehicles and drivers.

Ford's Plug and Charge expansion to IONNA shows the industry moving toward seamless authentication experiences. Equipment supporting ISO 15118 and Plug and Charge eliminates common friction points, improving customer satisfaction and reducing support requirements.

Pennsylvania's continued NEVI progress despite federal funding disputes demonstrates infrastructure momentum. The expanding interstate network supports EV adoption nationally, benefiting California property owners by increasing the appeal of electric vehicles for potential residents and visitors.

Conclusion

This Christmas Eve brings developments that will shape the EV charging experience into 2026. Tesla's 3D Supercharger maps enhance navigation, Porsche's China network exit signals the maturation of public charging infrastructure, and Ford's Plug and Charge expansion simplifies holiday travel. Pennsylvania's $112 million federal approval keeps NEVI progress on track. For Los Angeles property owners, these trends reinforce the strategic value of investing in EV charging infrastructure while utility rebate programs remain available and before charging access becomes a standard expectation rather than a competitive differentiator. Wishing all a safe and happy holiday season.

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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