Emerging Business Opportunities in EV Charging Infrastructure

Turning the EV Charging Shortfall Into Long-Term Revenue Streams

In our last post, Why Now Is the Time to Invest in Transportation Electrification, we explored why the EV market’s momentum creates a rare moment for action. Now, we zoom in on one of the clearest plays, EV charging infrastructure, and the widening gap between the number of EVs on the road and the charging network needed to support them.

The Infrastructure Gap Is Real and Growing

In 2024, U.S. drivers purchased about 1.3 million EVs, according to Cox Automotive, bringing the total number of registered light-duty EVs to roughly 4.8 million. Public charging infrastructure stood at about 210,000 ports at the start of 2025. That’s an average of 23 EVs per public port—nearly double the optimal ratio of 8–12 EVs per charger, identified in a HERE Technologies study.

In EV-forward states like California, the gap is even wider at 29 EVs per charger, and with annual EV sales still growing, new ports aren’t coming online fast enough to close the gap. That imbalance is an opportunity.

Cumulative EV Sales with annual sales projections through 2028

Sector-by-Sector Opportunities for Investors

Fleets

Fleet electrification is accelerating across delivery, logistics, and rideshare. For operators, the benefits are clear: lower fueling costs compared to gas or diesel, predictable energy pricing that stabilizes operating budgets, and less downtime from vehicle maintenance. These benefits drive demand for reliable charging solutions, which is where the business opportunity emerges.

For example, one model gaining traction is Charging-as-a-Service. Instead of making large upfront investments, fleet operators pay a monthly fee that bundles hardware, software, and maintenance. This gives fleets predictable costs and dependable charging access, while providers gain recurring revenue, long-term contracts, and a central role in fleet operations.

Investor takeaway: Securing fleet charging sites and contracts now locks in stable cash flow tied to a transition that is already underway.

Utilities

Yes, more EVs mean more electricity sold, but the real win is in beneficial load growth. Managed charging and demand response programs allow utilities to handle rising demand without major new generation or distribution upgrades. That preserves capital, protects margins, and positions utilities as central players in the mobility ecosystem.

At the same time, utilities that engage in public-private partnerships help create new economic development opportunities. Collaborations with municipalities and private property owners not only bring chargers online faster, they also drive revenue streams for real estate, retail, and community properties hosting the stations. For investors, this means utilities aren’t just growing their own revenue, they’re helping unlock broader local economic value which will add additional load to the electrical system over time as well.

Investor takeaway: Utilities that invest early in managed charging and partnerships grow revenue more efficiently while helping communities capture long-term economic benefits.

Property Owners & Managers

For commercial, retail, and multi-unit residential properties, EV charging is quickly becoming a standard amenity. Early movers gain three clear advantages: higher asset value, stronger lease rates, and customer loyalty. Longer dwell times also translate into higher on-site spending, making charging an anchor for revenue growth.

One way this plays out is through real estate monetization. By combining charging revenue with parking fees, sustainability incentives, carbon credit programs, and partnerships with white-label charging networks, property owners can create multiple recurring revenue streams from a single investment.

Investor takeaway: Installing charging now captures incentives and locks in competitive positioning before the market saturates.

Capital Flows Are Already Moving

Beyond public programs, private capital is already flowing into charging infrastructure. Infrastructure funds, ESG-focused investors, and green banks are stepping in to finance projects, often blending incentives with private equity or performance-based contracts. For investors, this underscores that capital itself is not the barrier, strategy, timing, and site selection are what will determine long-term success.

The Window Is Open, But Not Forever

To meet balanced demand, the U.S. will need two to three times more charging ports than exist today. Those who move first will secure the best sites, customer relationships, and recurring revenue streams, leaving latecomers to pay for access.

History repeats: the towns with the train station, the companies that locked in prime cell tower sites, and the first gas stations all enjoyed decades of competitive advantage. EV charging infrastructure is the modern equivalent.

Coming Next: Incentives You Might Be Missing

In our next post, Understanding EVSE Funding Incentives, we’ll break down the evolving landscape of federal, state, and local programs that can dramatically reduce upfront costs and accelerate deployment.

Work With StrategEV

StrategEV helps organizations uncover practical opportunities in EV charging infrastructure, develop investment strategies, and execute deployment plans that make sense for your goals, timelines, and budgets.

If you'd like to explore what's possible for your business, fleet, or property, reach out today to schedule a consultation. Let’s Talk.