ChargePoint has partnered with Optimus Energy Solutions to add 200 new electric vehicle charging ports throughout the Southeast U.S., the companies announced July 9, 2026. The expansion targets high-demand markets with chargers placed near restaurants and busy shopping centers where public charger use is greater. ChargePoint will serve as the exclusive provider of charging hardware, software and services, while Florida-based Optimus will own and operate the sites.
The new charging ports will be installed primarily in convenient locations where drivers already spend time, according to the press release. Many sites are planned for areas near dining and retail destinations. Florida-based Optimus Energy Solutions, founded in 2018, currently helps commercial, industrial, multi-family and municipal customers across Florida and the Southeast plan, build and maintain clean-energy infrastructure including solar installations. Under the partnership terms, ChargePoint provides all technology and support while Optimus handles site ownership and operations.
"Our partnership with ChargePoint has been instrumental in establishing Optimus as a leader in EV charging infrastructure," said Ben Pauluhn, president of Optimus Energy Solutions. ChargePoint CEO Rick Wilmer noted that "expanding access to reliable EV charging infrastructure is critical to accelerating the transition to electric mobility." The companies stated they're working together to enable "a more seamless charging experience for drivers across the eastern U.S."
The expansion comes as companies work to close charging gaps despite slower EV sales since the federal tax credit expired last September, according to the release. The lack of convenient charging infrastructure remains one of the main barriers to wider EV adoption in the U.S. Circle K announced plans in April to install 350 EV charging sites through its partnership with Ionna, a joint venture founded by eight major automakers aiming to build 30,000 fast-charging sites nationwide by 2030. General Motors launched its "Energy Pass" digital charging platform in June, allowing EV customers to pay for sessions at different networks—including Tesla Superchargers—through one interface, with ChargePoint and EVgo networks to be added soon.
Current EV drivers show higher satisfaction than ever before, according to JD Power's 2026 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience Ownership Study released in February. The availability of public EV charging was the most improved factor influencing customer satisfaction, the study found. The ChargePoint-Optimus partnership positions both companies to meet long-term EV demand across key markets, even as short-term sales growth has cooled following policy changes.