Top EV Charging Trends for Q2 2025: DCFC Accelerates, L2 Holds Steady, Incentives Reshape Demand

There is promising growth in DC Fast Charging alongside mixed results for Level 2 — and PowerFlex continues to help customers deploy reliable, scalable EV charging where it matters most.

As more organizations electrify, intelligent, right-sized EV charging infrastructure is essential. Ohm Analytics’ Q2 2025 EV Charging Market Report offers a timely view into how the market is meeting this demand. Let’s dive into the key trends observed in Q2 and how they translate into action for site hosts, fleets, and property owners.

Missed last quarter’s analysis? Read: Top EV Charging Trends for Q1 2025: PowerFlex Expands Its Industry Leadership

Level 2: Flat Quarter, Healthy Momentum YTD

Ohm’s Q2 data shows Level 2 (L2) installations were essentially flat for the quarter year over year, even as the year-to-date trend remains positive.

• Q2 2025 L2 ports: 29,103 (−1% YoY vs. Q2 2024)
• YTD 2025 (Q1+Q2): 57,238 (+9.8% YoY vs. YTD 2024)

The demand profile remains familiar: Multi-unit dwellings (MUDs), workplaces, and municipal/government sites continue to drive most L2 activity. While quarter-to-quarter variability can look noisy on the surface, it’s largely explained by incentive window timing, procurement and permitting cycles, and equipment delivery. In Q2, California and New York led volumes, with Florida, Texas, and Washington rounding out the top five. Notably, Texas and New York posted large year-over-year gains in absolute L2 additions, reflecting robust pipelines shaped by local incentives and building-readiness requirements.

What we hear from hosts is consistent with the data; they want to expand access without oversizing infrastructure. That pushes attention to managed charging, panel right-sizing, and making the most of existing service. For MUDs and workplaces in particular, smart load management keeps total cost of ownership in check while supporting more drivers, and that’s where software-driven optimization is becoming table stakes.

DC Fast Charging: Continued Acceleration and Higher-Power Mix

DC Fast Charging (DCFC) extended its role as the growth engine for public charging in Q2.

• Q2 2025 DCFC ports: 5,474 (+7% YoY)
• YTD 2025 (Q1+Q2): 10,792 (+13.8% YoY)

Growth remains concentrated along travel corridors and high-utilization metro routes. Operators are prioritizing reliability, throughput, and uptime, often with denser sites and cabinet-based power sharing to balance performance and capex. We’re also seeing a gradual shift toward higher-power units to support faster turnarounds and align with corridor requirements; this dovetails with the emphasis on minimum power levels in federal programs and the broader push for more predictable driver experiences.

In practice, the sites that perform best aren’t just about nameplate power. They’re designed for real-world throughput: smart queuing, good ingress/egress, appropriate cable lengths, intuitive layouts, and a service strategy that keeps uptime high. More chargers per site, better power distribution, and operational discipline around maintenance have all emerged as trends in Q2.

Rip & Replace Projects on the Rise

As utilization increases and early-generation sites age, industries are investing in replacements and upgrades. Swapping legacy hardware for higher-reliability, higher-power equipment; adding dispensers on existing service; and improving layouts for better access and cable management are familiar tasks that are aimed at reducing downtime.

We continue to see rip-and-replace activity as part of broader site modernization plans that include integrating better networking, adding redundancy, and preparing space and conduit for future expansion. It’s not just about adding ports; it’s about lifting the quality and resiliency of the overall charging experience.

Incentives Are Shaping Timelines and Mix

Program cadence and eligibility rules continue to influence state-by-state results, especially for L2 public access and municipal projects. Several programs are worth highlighting for Q2 planning:

• Federal Corridors: NEVI tranches are sequencing DCFC deployments and affecting when projects break ground.
• New York: NYSERDA’s Charge Ready NY 2.0 supports public access deployments, including MUDs and workplaces, helping explain New York’s strong L2 quarter.
• California: Utility make-ready programs such as SCE Charge Ready continue to lower interconnect barriers by covering parts of the infrastructure costs when application windows are open.
• New Jersey: NJDEP’s “It Pay$ to Plug In” program provides grants for EV charging, with a 2025 DCFC solicitation offering up to ~100,000 per publicly accessible fast-charging port near multi-unit housing and transit, often stackable with utility incentives.
• Colorado: The Colorado Energy Office’s Charge Ahead Colorado program funds community-based L2 and DCFC, with enhanced incentives for disproportionately impacted communities and meaningful per-station caps.

Funding windows, cost-share levels, and hardware eligibility don’t just shape when projects move; they influence site architecture and vendor mix. For hosts, aligning designs and applications with specific program criteria can accelerate timelines and stretch budgets significantly.

Where the Growth Landed in Q2: Top States

Here are some takeaways from the leaderboard:

• California continues to anchor both L2 and DCFC volumes, reflecting a deep pipeline and utility support.
• New York’s strong L2 performance aligns with active public-access programs and local requirements.
• Florida’s DCFC strength matches corridor usage patterns and tourism-driven demand.
• Texas posted notable L2 gains as workplaces and mixed-use properties scale.
• Washington’s DCFC outperformance underscores corridor densification and robust metro freight routes.

What This Means for Site Hosts and Fleets

• For L2 at workplaces and MUDs: Managed charging and smart load shaping remain essential to keep total cost of ownership in check while accommodating more drivers. Designs that leverage power sharing and avoid premature service upgrades tend to win on both cost and deployment speed.
• For DCFC along corridors and high-throughput sites: Reliability and consistent performance drive utilization — and repeat visits. Site densification with cabinet-based architectures allows operators to add dispensers with minimal incremental complexity, improving both economics and experience.
• For municipalities and fleets: Incentive alignment is critical. Programs with make-ready support and enhanced funding for overburdened communities can shift timelines from “next year” to “this quarter.” Build for operations with clear driver wayfinding, safe access, and maintenance plans that keep uptime high.
• For multi-technology campuses: Integrating EV charging with solar and energy storage can stabilize demand charges, create resiliency, and improve ROI, especially where time-of-use rates and demand thresholds influence economics.

PowerFlex continues to help customers deploy the right mix with intelligent energy management. Learn more about our platform, PowerFlex X™.

Ripples From Q2 That Carry Into 2H 2025

Three practical considerations are likely to shape second-half execution:

1. Permitting and interconnect pacing: Projects that proactively coordinate with utilities on make-ready and transform capacity tend to move faster; designing within realistic service envelopes reduces surprises late in the process.
2. Program-fit designs: Right-sizing site plans to the contours of each funding program (power levels, accessibility requirements, networking terms) can materially improve award odds and lead times.
3. Modernization momentum: Rip-and-replace for uptime and throughput is no longer a niche. Operators are upgrading in place to capture near-term utilization gains, then phasing additional dispensers as demand grows.

Partner With PowerFlex on EV Charging and More

Ohm Analytics’ Q2 2025 report underscores a steady demand base with DC charging leading incremental growth and L2 maintaining solid year-to-date momentum. Our team translates these trends into practical strategies that align with funding windows, accelerate timelines, and deliver strong driver experiences. Talk to an expert to see how we can help unlock your site’s potential with EV charging, solar, storage, and smart software.