EVGO or CHPT: Which Stock is the Better Pick Post Q4 Results?

Industry Overview - The electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure market is rapidly expanding globally, with China leading at over 3.2 million public charge points, followed by Europe with over 900,000, and the United States with approximately 206,000 public charging ports [1][2][3] - The U.S. is set to add more than 11,500 EV charging ports through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aiming for a total of 500,000 publicly available EV chargers by 2030 [2] Company Analysis: EVgo - EVgo has seen a 35% year-over-year revenue growth in Q4 2024, driven by increased charging sessions, with a network throughput of 84 gigawatt-hours compared to 50 gigawatt-hours in the previous year [5] - The company has expanded its operational stalls from 2,980 to 4,080 and added over 133,000 accounts in the quarter [5] - A joint development agreement with Delta Electronics aims to enhance charger reliability and cost efficiency, potentially boosting EVgo's prospects [6] - Despite growth, EVgo remains unprofitable with a negative adjusted EBITDA and is vulnerable to shifts in federal policy due to its reliance on NEVI funding [8] Company Analysis: ChargePoint - ChargePoint has reduced its non-GAAP operating expenses by 42% and reported a 14% year-over-year growth in subscription revenues, reaching $38 million in Q4 [10] - The company operates 342,000 managed charging ports, benefiting from increasing EV adoption, and is not reliant on NEVI funding, providing insulation from federal policy changes [10] - ChargePoint's collaboration with General Motors aims to install hundreds of ultra-fast charging ports across the U.S. by 2025, enhancing its growth prospects [11] - The company has introduced innovative solutions to combat EV charger vandalism, which are expected to strengthen its market position [12] Financial Performance - In the trailing 12 months, EVgo shares have decreased by 9.8%, while ChargePoint shares have dropped by 64.2%, compared to a 6.1% decline in the Zacks Auto, Tires and Trucks sector [14] - EVgo's forward price/sales ratio is 1.94x, while ChargePoint's is 0.64x, indicating that both stocks are not considered cheap [16] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EVgo's 2025 loss is 55 cents per share, while ChargePoint's fiscal 2026 loss estimate is 19 cents per share [20][21] Investment Outlook - EVgo's high valuation is not justified given its risky growth prospects and dependence on federal policies, leading to a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [22] - ChargePoint, with its cost-cutting measures, growing revenues, and strong partnerships, presents a more stable investment opportunity, carrying a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [23]