A Commercial EV Infrastructure Shift Is in Motion
The promise of a national EV charging network has been a central pillar of the U.S. government’s electrification agenda. Through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, the federal government aimed to build thousands of fast-charging stations across the country, spaced every 50 miles along key corridors. Yet, as of mid-2025, that vision has stalled, forcing companies operating electric vehicle (EV) fleets to rethink how and where they deploy charging infrastructure.
The pause in NEVI’s rollout, triggered by the Federal Highway Administration’s withdrawal of guidance in early 2025, has left more than half of the program’s $5 billion in funding unallocated. Although some states have resumed operations following a legal injunction, the overall program remains shrouded in uncertainty.
This is unfolding just as the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) accelerates the wind-down of key EV incentives. Most notably, the §30C commercial charging tax credit now sunsets in June 2026, and the EV purchase credits (for new and used vehicles) will end in September 2025, five years earlier than anticipated. These changes in policy mean fleet operators can no longer rely on corridor-based public charging to support their electrification goals, as the economics and construction timelines for public infrastructure are now too volatile to depend upon.
A Structural Shift
As a result, a structural shift is underway toward “behind-the-fence” solutions, or privately owned charging infrastructure located on-site at fleet depots, logistics hubs and service yards. These installations offer enhanced control, more predictable uptime and better integration with dispatch and maintenance workflows. They also reduce exposure to external policy reversals and utility interconnection delays.
But depot charging alone doesn’t meet every need. Fleets operating across regions, or those lacking sufficient utility capacity at their facilities, are increasingly exploring off-grid and distributed energy options. These systems can combine battery storage, mobile charging units and renewable inputs, allowing operators to deploy energy where it’s needed, when it’s needed, without waiting on utility approvals or public funding.
This approach offers both speed and resilience, especially in disaster-prone areas, remote environments or underserved corridors where off-grid charging ensures operational continuity. It also provides a critical hedge against regulatory whiplash as federal incentives recede and centralized programs become less reliable.
Many Industries Are Looking for Options
Industries like rideshare, autonomous vehicles, school transportation, drayage and rural logistics, which often face infrastructure gaps, are especially well-suited for these approaches. The ability to charge vehicles without fixed infrastructure reduces capital constraints and accelerates fleet deployment timelines, both of which are essential as policy and market conditions evolve.
While public infrastructure will continue to play a role, it is no longer the centerpiece, shifting the infrastructure burden squarely on the private sector. The companies that invest now in behind-the-fence and off-grid capabilities will be better prepared to navigate this transition, positioning themselves to scale efficiently, weather regulatory changes, and maintain reliable fleet operations in a more uncertain and decentralized future.
Story by David Piperno. Photos courtesy of SparkCharge.
