ChargePoint and Florida-based Optimus Energy Solutions are expanding their partnership to deploy more than 200 public fast-charging ports across the Southeast, targeting quick-service restaurants and retail centers. ChargePoint will serve as the exclusive provider of hardware, software and services, while Optimus will own and operate the sites.
The buildout comes as Enverus Intelligence® Research (EIR) projects a widening regional divide in EV adoption, with much of the Southeast lagging behind states with zero-emission vehicle mandates. Florida is a notable exception, ranking seventh nationally in projected 2035 EV penetration (Figure 1), driven by its large vehicle base, higher-income households and strong adoption in major metropolitan areas rather than policy. EIR recently cut its 2035 U.S. EV penetration forecast to 8.1% from 20%, citing slower consumer uptake and the September 2025 expiration of federal EV purchase credits under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The outlook reinforces the view that adoption in non-mandate states will hinge more on infrastructure and structural demand than on policy.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Electric cars predate gas-powered vehicles by decades and once outsold them in the U.S. around 1900 before Ford’s Model T made gasoline cars affordable enough to dominate.
Top Three Takeaways:
1: Why is ChargePoint expanding charging infrastructure in the Southeast despite slower EV adoption forecasts?
The expansion reflects the growing importance of charging availability in driving EV adoption. As federal incentives fade and consumer uptake remains slower than expected, accessible public charging infrastructure will play a larger role in supporting EV growth, particularly in regions that are not relying on policy mandates.
2: What makes Florida stand out in the Southeast EV market?
Florida is projected to rank seventh in the nation for EV penetration by 2035, making it a regional leader despite lacking a zero-emission vehicle mandate. Its large vehicle population, higher-income households and strong adoption in major metro areas are expected to drive EV growth through market demand rather than regulation.
3: What does this partnership signal about the future of EV adoption in non-mandate states?
The ChargePoint and Optimus partnership highlights a shift toward infrastructure-led growth. With EIR lowering its U.S. EV penetration forecast, success in states without EV mandates is likely to depend more on the availability of convenient charging networks and underlying consumer demand than on government incentives or policies.
About Enverus Intelligence® | Research, Inc. (EIR)
Enverus Intelligence® | Research, Inc. (EIR) is a subsidiary of Enverus that publishes energy-sector research focused on the oil, natural gas, power and renewable industries. EIR publishes reports including asset and company valuations, resource assessments, technical evaluations, and macroeconomic forecasts and helps make intelligent connections for energy industry participants, service companies, and capital providers worldwide. See additional disclosures here.
