Rick Wilmer outlook
ChargePoint CEO Rick Wilmer said demand for electric vehicles in North America is stronger than portrayed in the media. He noted that requests for proposals for the company’s charging solutions have not slowed and that growth was recorded in the most recently reported quarter. Wilmer said high demand has pushed up used electric vehicle prices and that 96% of EV users stick with electric when replacing their vehicles.
North American moves
Affordable electric pickup trucks from Slate and Ford also indicate that charging demand will increase in the future. According to Wilmer, interest in used electric vehicles priced at the same level as their gasoline-powered equivalents shows that demand exists when the right vehicle and price are offered. He said automakers have also begun developing models that are better suited to the expectations of the North American market.
North American timeline
According to ChargePoint data, charging sessions increased by 34% in 2025, while growth in new charger installations was 16%. Wilmer said that at workplaces operating five days a week and eight hours a day, drivers have difficulty finding an available charger once utilization exceeds 30%. He explained that installing chargers at workplaces encourages employees to buy electric vehicles, which in turn quickly exacerbates the capacity problem.
ChargePoint has developed more affordable and powerful Level 2 (AC, 240 V) chargers for North America and partnered with Eaton on its smart breaker technology for bidirectional charging.
Wilmer figures
The company is targeting more affordable solutions that could power homes during outages. However, Wilmer said that for V2G to become widespread, standardization is needed across the automotive industry and electricity providers, and vehicles must gain support for AC bidirectional charging. He added that current DC solutions are expensive and bulky for residential use.