ChargePoint turns rental car lots into public EV charging stations
Michelle Lewis | Jan 23 2026 - 4:14 pm PT
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 Image: ChargePoint
ChargePoint is adding public EV chargers at rental car locations in Wisconsin, a small but notable expansion of charging access at airports and neighborhood branches in Appleton and Madison – and not just for people renting EVs.
The EV charger company says it’s working with Midwestern Wheels, a licensee of Avis Budget Group, to install a mix of Level 2 and Level 3 fast chargers at Midwestern Wheels’ airport and local market branches in Appleton and Madison. The chargers are open to the public, meaning EV drivers can plug in even if they’re not renting a car.
That matters in Wisconsin, where EV registrations have grown by more than 50% per year on average since 2013, according to Wisconsin Clean Cities, but public charging coverage still trails demand across much of the state, especially outside major metro areas.
Midwestern Wheels is using ChargePoint’s Omni Port chargers at several locations. Rather than dedicating parking spaces to a single connector type, Omni Port allows different EVs to charge in the same spot without drivers needing adapters. It’s a practical approach for mixed-use sites like rental car lots, where vehicle types can change frequently.
The sites include both Level 2 and DC fast charging, giving drivers options depending on how long they plan to stay. Opening chargers to the public also helps improve utilization beyond Midwestern Wheels’ rental fleet, which is often a challenge when installing chargers at fleet-focused locations.
“As EV adoption continues, we have created a unique win-win experience,” said Bill Wallschlaeger, president of Midwestern Wheels. “Our Appleton and Madison charging stations simplify charging for our rental EVs and also serve public EV drivers in each community.”
ChargePoint says all stations are managed through its new ChargePoint Platform, which allows operators to remotely monitor performance and spot issues early – features that matter if the chargers are going to stay reliable for both rental customers and the general public.
Drivers can find the Midwestern Wheels charging locations through the ChargePoint mobile app.
Read more: ChargePoint brings 40+ new fast-charging ports to metro Detroit
electrek.co |
