Wondering who makes software for EV cars? Today, there are plenty of innovative companies pushing the bounds of infrastructure to create large-scale charging networks around the world. Partnering with an electric vehicle charging company can be a gateway to becoming a leader in a rapidly growing sector, but the market has become oversaturated with companies trying to stir up buzz. However, if you’re in the industry — or looking to get involved — it’s good to know who the biggest players are and what they’re doing. We’ve narrowed down the selection to the crown joules, compiling a list of the biggest electric vehicle charging companies currently on the market.
The biggest electric vehicle charging companies share similar values
Most EV charging companies share a similar set of brand values that guide their hand. Across the industry, the goal is to lower carbon emissions and make EV charging more accessible. The two values are so ubiquitous that it's safe to assume every entry on this list shares them, but if there’s anything that makes a company extra special, we’ll mention it below.
ABB
ABB is a Swedish-Swiss company with a massive footprint in the EV charging space. The company has solutions for residential, retail, and fleet charging available around the world, which has been a defining factor of its growth. One of ABB’s greatest strengths is that it has experience in multiple technological fields, which has given it a rich well of knowledge to pull from. In the early years of the EV charging industry, ABB became known as the most popular manufacturer of DC fast chargers. Today, they have a full range of products including Level 2 chargers.
Quick facts:
- ABB was founded in 1988 as part of a merger, though both involved companies were founded in the late 1800s as electrical equipment manufacturers.
- ABB has been a ChargeLab partner since 2020. ChargeLab network services run on top of ABB’s charging solutions, the Terra DC and Terra AC wallbox, using the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP).
- In January 2023, ABB announced the sale of its 1 millionth EV charger. The company also announced a new factory in the United States that will produce 10,000 DC fast chargers per year.
ChargePoint
If you’re wondering what company makes EV charging stations and has a large established user base, ChargePoint is the answer. With more than 174,000 charging stations around the world, ChargePoint’s is one of the biggest electric vehicle charging companies out there, which lends it a decent bit of brand recognition. ChargePoint offers both hardware and software for EV charging, as well as operating its own network of EV charging stations.
Quick facts:
- ChargePoint went public in 2021 in a $480 million de-SPAC transaction.
- The company provides EV charging stations to both Disney theme parks in the United States.
- ChargePoint has a solution for many use cases, from public to fleet.
Eaton
Eaton has more than 85,000 employees around the world and made $20.8 billion in sales in 2022. The company started in 1911 and has grown to become one of the foremost electric vehicle charging companies. The company isn’t just focused on EV charging, but also evolving vehicle electrification technologies more broadly.
Quick facts:
- Eaton partnered with ChargeLab in 2023 as a strategic investor. The company bundles a version of ChargeLab’s platform with its line of EV chargers in North America.
- Eaton makes multiple components for the aerospace industry, including both military and commercial flights.
- Eaton first launched EV chargers in 2012 before taking a break from the EV charging industry in the late-2010s. In 2022, they re-launched a new line of EV chargers with software built in collaboration with ChargeLab.
EVgo
EVgo operates one of the largest public networks of DC fast chargers in the United States. The emphasis on fast chargers is a central aspect of EVgo’s long-term strategy. The company wants to speed up the process of EV adoption in the United States, with conveniently located fast chargers being a crucial selling point for drivers looking to make the change. They emphasize marketing customer-first features like reliability, convenience, and special offers.
Quick facts:
- EVgo is looking to triple in size over the next five years by adding thousands more fast chargers to its network.
- The company currently serves 60 metropolitan areas, with charging stations in 30 states.
- EVgo’s rapid growth and fast charging stations make it a great choice for public use.
Electrify America
As part of the settlement of its emissions scandal, Volkswagen started investing $2 billion to build out an EV charging network. The result is Electrify America, a Virginia-based subsidiary operating more than 900 charging stations and nearly 4,000 DC Fast Charger ports across the United States.
Quick facts:
- In February, Electrify America opened a luxe indoor charging hub in San Francisco. It boasts 20 DC fast charging stalls, free WiFi, and 24/7 security.
- Spin-off Electrify Canada, based in Ajax, Ontario, operates more than 30 charging stations nationwide.
- Siemens invested $450 million to become a minority shareholder in June 2022.
Siemens
Speaking of Siemens... With simple installation procedures and solutions for both residential and commercial use, it’s no wonder that the energy giant has grown to become one of the EV charging industry’s biggest companies. The company is focused on delivering scalable, intuitive networks that don’t neglect charging speeds.
Quick facts:
- Founder Werner von Siemens laid the foundation for the company in 1847 by designing the pointer telegraph.
- The Siemens brand operates under three separately managed companies: Siemens AG, Siemens Energy, and Siemens Healthineers. The goal is to allow each company to become an independent leader in its respective field.
- At the time the company was spun off, about one-sixth of worldwide electricity generation was based on technologies from Siemens Energy.
Tesla
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Tesla may be the most recognizable EV company in the United States. Although the company's central offerings are its Model S, Model 3, and Model Y vehicles, it has also invested heavily in its charging technology. Tesla currently operates a network of more than 50,000 Superchargers worldwide, bringing Level 3 charging to thousands of users. Its cars may bring the hype, but that network is what makes Tesla one of the biggest electric vehicle charging companies in the world.
Quick facts:
- Tesla's market capitalization currently sits at $630 billion, making it the world's most valuable automaker.
- In 2023, the Tesla Model Y became the first ever all-electric vehicle to be the world's bestselling car.
- Tesla subsidiary Tesla Energy manufactures solar energy generation systems and batteries for consumer use.
Choosing a partner
ChargeLab works with major hardware providers like these to make EV charging more expansive and accessible. Our software solution is designed to put you in control of providing your customers with the best charging experience possible. Contact us today to see what our software can do for you.
