The EV “Charging Divide” Plaguing Rural America

Electric car charging infrastructure is growing at a slower rate in rural parts of the United States, according to an analysis from EV charging data analytics firm Paren.

In an article in The Daily Yonder, Julia Tilton notes that “As of the first quarter of 2025, 45% of rural counties had at least one fast EV charging port installed, compared to 76.5% of metropolitan counties.” Chargers in rural areas tend to have lower utilization rates. “In order for privately funded charging stations to break even on their investment, utilization rates have to hit certain percentages, usually greater than the teens or low twenties.”

State and federal funding can offset this “emerging charging divide” by covering the cost of connecting to utilities, hardware rebates, and other incentives — actions less likely to happen under President Trump, who attempted to end the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program (the fate of the program is still pending a court decision).

Loren McDonald, chief analyst at Paren, compared EV infrastructure to electricity. In the 1930s, the federal Rural Electrification Act provided federal loans to ensure rural areas could install electrical systems. “There are some things that literally require government help, or otherwise it’s never going to happen.”