EVgo vs Electrify America: Who’s Winning So Far?

Competition among EV charging groups has become more focused. In the U.S., two major players dominate the fast-charging network market: EVgo and Electrify America (EA). Both have passed 1,000 stations and released their 2024 results, offering a glimpse into the competition between these two companies. While both networks have their strengths, their approaches, growth, and metrics suggest that one may have a slight edge over the other when it comes to meeting the demands of the rapidly growing EV market.

Station and Port Count

When it comes to station count, EVgo currently leads with 1,082 stations, slightly ahead of Electrify America, which has 1,004 stations. However, the story doesn't end there, as the port count—the number of individual charging connectors at each station—provides a more comprehensive picture of the network's capacity.

In this regard, Electrify America takes the lead with 4,741 ports, significantly outpacing EVgo's 4,080 ports. The higher port count at EA stations indicates that it may be better equipped to handle higher demand, with more charging spots available per location.

Average Ports Per Site

Despite Electrify America's larger port count, when looking at the average number of ports per site, EVgo has a slightly higher figure at 3.61 ports per site, compared to EA's 4.63 ports per site. This suggests that EVgo has a more efficient distribution of charging stations, with each station providing fewer chargers but likely focusing on high-density locations with enough capacity to meet customer needs.

Geographic Coverage

Electrify America has a broader geographic presence, operating in 47 states, compared to EVgo's 41 states. EA's approach has been more focused on interstate highways and long-distance travel routes, which is crucial for EV drivers who rely on the network for cross-country travel. This strategy has allowed Electrify America to build two significant cross-country routes within its first two years of operation. EVgo, on the other hand, has been historically more concentrated on metro areas and urban centers but has made substantial progress in expanding its coverage due to its partnership with Pilot-Flying J through the eXtend program, now offering charging stations in 41 states.

Energy Dispensed and Throughput Growth

The energy dispensed is a critical metric in evaluating the performance of these networks. Electrify America leads in this category, dispensing 600+ gigawatt-hours (GWh) of energy in 2024. In comparison, EVgo dispensed 277 GWh, a significant difference. This reflects the higher number of charging sessions and energy consumption within EA's network, which is likely related to the higher number of ports and broader geographic coverage.

When it comes to throughput growth—the percentage increase in energy dispensed year over year—EVgo outperformed Electrify America with a 116% increase, compared to EA's 65%. This suggests that while Electrify America remains dominant in terms of energy dispensed, EVgo's growth in throughput is impressive, indicating rapid adoption of its services and higher usage rates at its charging stations.

The Impact of EVgo's Partnership with Pilot-Flying J

A significant development for EVgo in 2023 and 2024 has been its partnership with Pilot-Flying J, which has extended the network’s reach into interstate corridors, a crucial component of the EV charging infrastructure. The eXtend program focuses on building charging stations at Pilot and Flying J travel centers, which are strategically located along major highways, making long-distance travel more feasible for EV drivers. This partnership has led to a substantial increase in EVgo's state coverage, from 30 to 41 states, helping it compete more effectively with Electrify America, which has historically focused on long-distance travel and highway routes.

Evaluating the Networks' Future Potential in 2025

As 2025 approaches, both networks are poised for significant growth, but each has its own set of advantages. Electrify America's established interstate highway network and large port count give it a strong foundation for long-distance EV travel. The network’s commitment to high-volume locations and a solid national footprint suggests that it will continue to serve a significant portion of the growing EV driver population.

However, EVgo’s growth in throughput, coupled with its partnership with Pilot-Flying J, puts it in a good position to capture more market share in urban areas and interstate travel alike. As the demand for fast charging continues to rise, EVgo may be better positioned to provide a more efficient service for urban drivers due to its denser station network and focus on higher-density locations.

The fast-charging market is becoming increasingly competitive, with both companies pushing forward. While Electrify America might have the upper hand in station count, ports, and energy dispensed, EVgo’s throughput growth and strategic partnerships give it an edge in future scalability. Both networks will play crucial roles in supporting the continued expansion of EVs across the U.S., but their success will depend on how well they address the growing demand for faster, more accessible charging solutions.

Conclusion

Both EVgo and Electrify America have made remarkable strides in expanding EV charging infrastructure, but as the EV market continues to grow, it will be important to monitor how these two networks evolve. Electrify America may be leading in station count, ports, and energy dispensed, but EVgo’s rapid growth in throughput and its strategic partnerships position it for a strong future. The next few years will be critical in determining which network can best meet the needs of EV drivers and secure its place as a leader in the EV charging market.

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