As electric vehicle (EV) adoption rises, Eaton and ChargePoint are positioning themselves as leaders in building the EV charging infrastructure needed to support it. The two companies have formed a strategic partnership to streamline the deployment of EV chargers while advancing bidirectional charging and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technologies across North America and Europe.
By combining ChargePoint’s robust EV charging solutions with Eaton’s energy management expertise, the partnership aims to support broader electrification goals, enhance system reliability, and drive down costs.
Expanding Charging Locations
In an interview, Paul Ryan, General Manager of Energy Transition at Eaton, and Rick Wilmer, President and CEO of ChargePoint, shared their insights on how and where EV charging is evolving. While home charging remains the most common, Wilmer noted growing interest in commercial and fleet settings.
Businesses are increasingly installing EV chargers to add value for employees and customers, whether at retail locations like malls and restaurants or non-retail venues such as offices and schools. “Retailers are realizing that offering charging services can help attract and retain customers,” Wilmer said.
Fleet operations represent another high-growth segment. As more companies transition to electric fleets, reliable charging infrastructure becomes mission-critical. “If delivery vans or school buses can’t run their routes, it directly impacts the business,” Wilmer explained.
Overcoming Infrastructure Challenges
A major hurdle in expanding EV charging is the capacity of existing electrical systems. Many homes and commercial buildings weren’t originally designed to handle the high power demand of EV chargers.
“There’s a large number of buildings in North America that simply don’t have the electrical service required for full electrification,” Ryan said. Instead of costly infrastructure upgrades, Eaton advocates for smart energy management systems that optimize existing electrical capacity—especially as buildings adopt additional technologies like solar panels, battery storage, and electric HVAC systems.
Unlocking the Power of Bidirectional Charging
The collaboration will also focus on advancing bidirectional charging, which allows energy to flow both to and from EVs. This technology enables vehicles to power homes and buildings, work with solar and storage systems, and reduce energy costs by charging during off-peak hours.
Wilmer highlighted its benefits for fleet management. For instance, with a 50-van delivery fleet, not every vehicle needs a full charge each day. Smart charging strategies allow companies to optimize charging schedules based on each vehicle’s route and usage. When vehicles return with leftover charge, that energy can be redistributed to others still in use, improving overall efficiency.
The Role of DC Fast Charging
While DC fast chargers often make headlines for their speed, Wilmer emphasized they’re not the primary energy source for most EVs. “Fast chargers are essential for long-distance travel on highways, but the bulk of EV charging happens at home and at work,” he said.
In summary, the Eaton-ChargePoint partnership aims to reshape how EV charging infrastructure is deployed, focusing on smarter energy use, broader access, and technologies that make electrification scalable and sustainable for both businesses and consumers.
Fast charging still plays an important role within the overall EV charging ecosystem. “There are companies building DC fast-charging networks,” Wilmer explained. “Their business model is similar to gas stations—they make money by selling electricity. Lowering the cost of the charging infrastructure, essentially the ‘fuel pumps’ for electricity, supports their business.”
Ryan added, “Whether it’s conventional or fast charging, the key is to optimize the entire system. Through our technical collaboration, we aim to deliver a more reliable charging experience while reducing costs, shrinking the physical footprint, and making installation easier.”
