Tesla Supercharger Slips to Fourth in US Charging Study

Tesla Supercharger charging study results show a notable change at the top of the US fast-charging rankings. Tesla’s Supercharger network, which led the JD Power DC Fast Charging category for five years, has dropped to fourth place in the 2026 study, according to a report published on 24 October. The network scored 701 points in 2026, down from 733 in 2021, 739 in 2022 and 2023, and 709 in 2025. Ionna, Rivian, and Mercedes-Benz now sit ahead of Tesla in the rankings, a shift that reflects how quickly rival charging networks have grown and improved. The study measures the public charging experience, including ease of use, reliability, speed, and the quality of the charging site.

Tesla’s network was once almost impossible for rivals to match, with a large number of stations, reliable hardware, and a simple plug-and-charge experience. That lead has narrowed as other companies have built new networks and opened their stations to more drivers. Mercedes-Benz launched its North American high-power charging network in 2023, and by June 2026 it had more than 775 charging points across 25 US states and British Columbia. Rivian’s Adventure Network now operates at more than 150 sites with more than 1,100 chargers, and it has opened Charging Outposts in California and New York. Ionna, a joint venture backed by several carmakers, opened its first Rechargery in Apex, North Carolina, and had more than 180 live sites by 30 September, with its 200th site coming online by 16 October.

Tesla Supercharger charging study highlights service quality

Tesla Supercharger charging study findings point to service quality as the key difference, rather than the number of chargers alone. JD Power found that the leading networks scored higher in the areas most likely to turn a charging stop from a chore into a routine part of a journey, such as clear pricing, working chargers, and comfortable sites. Tesla is still building, and it delivered a record amount of energy during the third quarter of 2026, but the rankings suggest that rivals have caught up on the experience, not just the hardware. Supercharger access has also spread to EVs from Ford, Rivian, GM, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Kia, Honda, Toyota, BMW, and Volkswagen, which means more drivers are using the network than ever before. For EV owners, the result is more choice, with several networks now offering a strong fast-charging experience across the United States.

Source: CarBuzz