Toyota Builds EV Charging Ecosystem as China Crosses 50% EV Market Share and Solid-State Batteries Enter Production

Introduction

The electric vehicle industry reaches significant milestones this week as Toyota expands its charging ecosystem through strategic partnerships, China officially crosses the 50 percent EV market share threshold, and solid-state battery technology moves from laboratory to production line. At Shaffer Construction, Inc., we track these global developments to help Los Angeles property owners understand the accelerating transition to electric transportation and make informed decisions about their commercial EV charger installations and residential charging solutions. This week's news demonstrates how automakers, governments, and technology companies are working in concert to build the infrastructure and capabilities that will define the next decade of electric mobility.

Toyota Expands EV Charging Ecosystem Through Strategic Partnerships

Toyota is rapidly building out its EV charging ecosystem through a multi-pronged partnership strategy spanning North America and Europe. In March 2025, EVgo and Toyota Motor North America opened the first DC fast charging stations in Baldwin Park and Sacramento, California, built through Toyota's Empact vision. These co-branded stations, owned and operated by EVgo, each serve up to eight vehicles simultaneously and feature exclusively 350-kilowatt fast chargers capable of adding significant range in minutes. Source: Toyota USA Newsroom.

First announced in April 2023, Toyota's Empact vision aims to aid the transition of underserved communities to electrified vehicle transport as part of the company's broader mission of providing mobility for all. The strategy centers on three fundamental areas: access to charging, providing affordable mobility solutions, and reducing carbon emissions. EVgo also recently extended its charging program with Toyota to provide one year of complimentary charging for drivers who buy or lease the 2025 Toyota bZ4X battery electric crossover.

Toyota has also joined seven other automakers as an investor in IONNA, the charging network joint venture that plans to install at least 30,000 charging ports in North America by 2030. This investment gives Toyota and Lexus customers access to IONNA's growing network of high-powered DC fast chargers, with stations featuring both NACS and CCS connectors to support all battery electric vehicle drivers. Source: Toyota USA Newsroom.

For Los Angeles property owners, Toyota's aggressive expansion of charging infrastructure signals the continued mainstreaming of electric vehicles across all market segments. As even traditionally conservative automakers like Toyota invest heavily in charging access, the pool of EV drivers seeking convenient charging locations grows steadily larger. Properties that install charging infrastructure now position themselves to serve this expanding customer base. Shaffer Construction helps commercial clients evaluate site requirements and design installations that meet the practical needs of EV drivers while complementing business operations.

Toyota Partners with British Gas for European Vehicle-to-Grid Charging

In Europe, Toyota has formed strategic partnerships with energy providers to offer smart charging solutions including Vehicle-to-Grid technology. In Germany, Toyota is partnering with The Mobility House Energy, while in the United Kingdom the company is collaborating with British Gas. These partnerships will enable Toyota customers to access intelligent charging solutions that optimize when and how their vehicles charge based on electricity prices and grid demand. Source: Toyota Motor Europe.

The first outcomes of these energy partnerships will materialize in 2026 with the launch of Demand Side Response solutions, offering customers benefits such as lower energy costs through smart charging. Looking ahead, Toyota Motor Europe plans to expand its energy collaborations to additional countries and introduce more advanced Vehicle-to-Grid integration. This will allow EVs to not only draw energy from the grid but also return stored energy when needed, effectively turning vehicles into mobile energy storage assets.

Vehicle-to-Grid technology has significant implications for property owners with charging infrastructure. As we explored in our analysis of V2G charging technology, bidirectional charging enables properties to potentially use parked EVs as backup power sources or participate in utility demand response programs. While V2G is still emerging in the United States, California utilities are increasingly exploring these capabilities as tools for grid stabilization and peak demand management.

China Crosses 50 Percent EV Market Share Milestone

China has officially crossed the 50 percent threshold for electric vehicle market share, reaching what many analysts consider the tipping point for complete market transformation. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, 1.71 million new energy vehicles were sold in October 2025, accounting for 51.6 percent of total vehicle sales that month. Electric vehicle sales have maintained over 50 percent market share for each of the last five months, with year-to-date market share sitting at 51 percent. Source: Electrek.

This milestone arrived a decade ahead of the 50 percent sales target laid out in China's Energy-saving and New Energy Vehicle Technology Roadmap 2.0 published just a few years ago. The rapid acceleration reflects China's dominant position in EV manufacturing, with companies like BYD, CATL, and numerous domestic competitors driving relentless competition in pricing, range, and charging speed. China's NEV sales now exceed the combined total of the European Union's five largest markets, powered by a localized supply chain and gigascale battery production. Source: IEA Global EV Outlook 2025.

The significance of crossing 50 percent cannot be overstated. Historical precedent from Norway, which crossed 50 percent EV market share in 2020 and reached 90 percent by 2024, suggests that once this threshold is crossed, the transition accelerates dramatically. While the United States EV market share sits closer to 12 percent, the global supply chain effects of China's transition will benefit all markets through lower battery costs and improved technology. For California property owners, these dynamics reinforce that EV adoption is a when question rather than an if question, making early investment in charging infrastructure strategically valuable.

Solid-State Batteries Move from Laboratory to Production

The long-anticipated transition from prototype to production for solid-state batteries is finally underway. GAC Group announced that it has officially begun producing all-solid-state EV batteries, claiming to be the first manufacturer to meet conditions for mass production. The production line is already producing batteries above 60 amp-hours, the threshold experts consider necessary for vehicle applications. Previously, most solid-state batteries were limited to 20-40 amp-hours. Source: Electrek.

Mercedes-Benz demonstrated the potential of solid-state technology when a prototype EQS sedan equipped with a Factorial Energy battery drove 749 miles on a single charge in September 2025. The carmaker predicts next-generation solid-state batteries will increase driving range to over 620 miles for production vehicles. Meanwhile, SAIC Motor announced completion of its main production line for all-solid-state batteries, and Farasis Energy confirmed its solid-state batteries are entering pilot production with deliveries set to begin by year's end. Source: Knowable Magazine.

Solid-state batteries promise to be both cheaper and safer than current lithium-ion technology while delivering more range and faster charging times through increased energy density. Toyota plans to launch EVs with solid-state batteries in the 2027 to 2028 timeframe, with the company claiming its technology will deliver more than 620 miles of range and charge from 10 to 80 percent in less than 10 minutes. Source: SlashGear.

For property owners considering EV charging infrastructure, solid-state battery developments reinforce the importance of future-proofing installations. As battery technology improves and vehicles can accept faster charging rates, infrastructure installed today should anticipate higher power requirements. Shaffer Construction performs comprehensive electrical load studies to help property owners understand their current capacity and plan installations with appropriate conduit sizing and electrical capacity for future equipment upgrades.

Toyota Opens $14 Billion Battery Plant in North Carolina

In November 2025, Toyota started production at its all-new battery plant in Liberty, North Carolina. The nearly $14 billion facility represents Toyota's eleventh U.S. plant and the company's first and only battery plant outside of Japan. When fully operational, the plant will create up to 5,100 new American jobs, significantly boosting the region's economy while establishing domestic battery supply chains that reduce reliance on overseas manufacturing. Source: Toyota USA Newsroom.

The investment aligns with broader industry trends toward domestic battery production. As EV adoption accelerates, securing reliable battery supply becomes critical for automakers. Toyota's North Carolina plant will supply batteries for vehicles assembled at its U.S. manufacturing facilities, reducing logistics costs and supply chain vulnerabilities that became apparent during pandemic-era disruptions.

The plant's location in North Carolina connects to the state's expanding EV charging infrastructure. NCDOT has obligated approximately $7.2 million in NEVI funding to date and anticipates releasing requests for proposals in late 2025 or early 2026 for additional EV charging stations along Alternative Fuel Corridors. The state's map identifies 41 areas for new charging infrastructure as part of a seven-year initiative fueled by $109 million from the federal NEVI program. Source: WCNC Charlotte.

North Carolina Expands EV Charging Infrastructure Under NEVI

North Carolina is accelerating its EV charging expansion, with NCDOT announcing it will release an updated map of proposed charging locations later in December 2025. The state's current plan earmarks 41 areas for new fast charging infrastructure along prominent thoroughfares including I-26, I-40, and U.S. 64. This buildout is part of a broader seven-year initiative funded by approximately $109 million from the federal NEVI program.

The technical requirements for North Carolina's NEVI-funded stations are rigorous. Stations must achieve at least 97 percent reliability, remain publicly accessible at all hours, and operate for at least five years. Power capabilities must reach at least 600 kilowatts with at least four CCS ports supporting 150-plus kilowatts per port simultaneously. These specifications ensure that publicly funded infrastructure meets the needs of modern EVs and provides reliable service to drivers.

Governor Roy Cooper previously announced that North Carolina surpassed its initial goal of 80,000 zero-emission vehicle registrations two years early, demonstrating strong EV adoption in the state. As other states besides California advance their charging infrastructure, the national network becomes more robust, making EV ownership more practical for longer-distance travel. As we discussed in our analysis of NEVI funding implications, the federal program continues driving infrastructure deployment despite earlier uncertainties.

What These Developments Mean for Los Angeles Property Owners

This week's news reinforces several important themes for property owners considering EV charging investments. Toyota's multi-pronged partnership strategy demonstrates how automakers are ensuring their customers have access to convenient charging, whether through co-branded stations with EVgo, investment in the IONNA network, or European V2G partnerships. As automakers invest in charging access, they simultaneously validate the market opportunity for property owners who install their own infrastructure.

China's crossing of the 50 percent EV market share threshold signals where all markets are eventually heading. The tipping point dynamics observed in Norway and now China suggest that EV adoption accelerates once critical mass is achieved. California, already the national leader with 23 percent of new vehicle sales being electric, is further along this curve than other U.S. states, making charging infrastructure increasingly essential for competitive properties.

The movement of solid-state battery technology from laboratory to production promises vehicles with longer range and faster charging within the next few years. Property owners installing infrastructure today should consider these coming capabilities when planning electrical capacity and conduit sizing. The transition to electric transportation is accelerating across all fronts, from manufacturing to infrastructure to technology, creating a favorable environment for forward-thinking property owners to invest in charging capabilities.

Conclusion

From Toyota's expanding charging ecosystem partnerships to China crossing the historic 50 percent EV market share threshold, this week's developments confirm the accelerating global transition to electric transportation. Solid-state batteries entering production, Toyota's $14 billion North Carolina battery plant beginning operations, and continued NEVI-funded infrastructure expansion demonstrate the scale of investment flowing into electric mobility. For Los Angeles property owners, these trends underscore the strategic importance of installing EV charging infrastructure while incentive programs remain available and before the rapidly growing EV driver population makes charging access essential 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 the right charging solution for your needs.

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