The number of electric charging stations in Oklahoma has made slow progress in the past few years, according to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission’s Public Utilities Division.
In a recent report, PUD Director Mark Argenbright explained there were 540 electric vehicle charging ports available to the public in 2023. It grew to 640 in 2024. He informed commissioners the number is expected to increase to 740 this year.
As mandated by state law, OAC 165:14-3-5, the Corporation Commission is responsible for regulation of the public EV ports.
But Argenbright also explained one of the challenges of seeing more EV charging ports installed is the required meter accuracy testing, again part of the law, OAC 165:14-5-5(c).
Because there are two kinds of chargers, DC and AC, it has proven to be a challenge for more installation and the mandated testing.
“DC and AC chargers are fundamentally different. AC metering technology is well understood. DC metering technology has been in research and development for the last few years. Accordingly, there is a lack of equipment available for DC meters. The technology and the market will ultimately drive the availability as well as the cost,” explained Argenbright in an email to OK Energy Today.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation received $66 million in funding originally from the Biden administration for installation of charging ports on turnpikes and highways.
T.J. Gerlach, a Public Information Officer with ODOT told OK Energy Today that $1.6 million was spent on the planning requirements of the program.
“The first round of installation awards was for $9 million for 13 sites. None have been installed to date.”
“We’re working with our partners at FHWA to revise our NEVI plan to align with the new guidance that we received just a few weeks ago. This new plan is due this month and then it needs to be approved before we can move forward with NEVI activities,” added Gerlach.
“ODOT was originally apportioned $66 million of the total $5 billion nationwide. As of now, we expect to receive this full amount.”
Electric vehicle growth in Oklahoma is slower compared to some states, such as Colorado where a reported 197,501 EVs were registered as of August 7, 2025, according to the Colorado Energy Office.
Its website indicated the state of Colorado has 33.99 EVs for every 1,000 people. The number of EV public charging ports in the state totals 1,439 as of early in August.
Other states are advancing in their installation of EV charging ports. Dozens more are being added in Indiana as the state will spend $3.3 million to add 36 charging stations. TCD reported the plans include 18 DC chargers, among the fastest available, and another 18 Level 2 chargers.
Funding for the Indian a project comes from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust, which was created to manage the proceeds of the $2.9 billion settlement following the automaker’s Clean Air Act violations.
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