What Happens to New EV Fast-Charging Stations After 90 Days?

When a new fast charging station opens, it often carries high expectations. But Paren’s latest analysis of 892 fast charging stations that came online in 2025 reveals a clear truth: the first 90 days are incredibly tough.

Our methodology:

US fast charging stations which opened in 2025 and that have least been running for 90 days
We average utilization rate on the last week leading to their 90th day
We categorized stations per port size: 1-2, 3-4, 5-8 and 8+ ports
We grouped utilization by bins: under 5%, from 5% to 16%, 16% to 25% and over 25%
Paren datasets used: US Nationwide metadata, Utilization

Takeaway #1 - The first 90 days are challenging, no matter the operator

63% of stations do not achieve a 5% average utilization rate on the last week leading to their 90 days after opening.

New EV fast charging station utilization under 5% after 90 days chart

Takeaway #2 - A cold start is the norm. Even more so for small stations.

89% of stations do not meet the average national utilization rate of 16% after 90 days. Stations with a small port count were more prone to a slower adoption.

EV charging station utilization growth curve after opening

79% of stations not hitting 5% had four ports or less. 54% of stations not meeting the national average were also stations with four ports or less.

EV charging station performance benchmarks 90 days post-opening

Takeaway #3 - High performers in the first 90 days are stations with 5 or more ports

Comparison of high vs low performing new EV charging stations

71% of the stations outperforming the national average in their first 90 days have at least 5 ports. California continues to prove its EV leadership: 41% of its 96 new stations exceeded the 16% utilization benchmark.

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