How fast can you charge an EV?

The amount of time it takes to charge an EV from empty depends on the type of charger. Level 2 chargers take about four to 10 hours to fully charge a BEV. Level 3 chargers, like the Tesla Supercharger, can charge an EV in less than an hour.

Where can I find public charging stations?

Public charging stations are located throughout the U.S. The U.S. Department of Energy , charge networks, and GPS apps offer helpful maps to locate charging stations near you.

Do EV public charging stations cost money?

Yes. The cost of using a public charging station varies by location and network. Some networks have subscription programs with monthly fees, and others charge per use. Check the stations in your area for local prices.

Can EVs use any charging station?

All EVs in the U.S. can use Level 1 and 2 chargers. Only certain EVs, like Teslas, can use Level 3 chargers. If you are a Tesla driver but want to use a non-Tesla charging station, you may need to use the J1772 adapter included with your Tesla. If you are a non-Tesla driver looking to use a Tesla Destination charger, you may need a Tesla to J1772 adapter until the Magic Dock is available. Some Tesla Superchargers are available for use without an adapter for non-Teslas. Check what you will need for each charging station before taking a drive.

How far can EVs travel on a full charge?

On average, EVs can travel about 250 – 350 miles on a full charge. The size of the car’s battery, driving behavior, and other factors impact the vehicle’s mileage range. For example, the 2022 Tesla Model S can travel a long range of 405 miles, while the 2022 Mazda MX-30 can travel a range of 100 miles.

EV Public Charging Stations

Written by Faith Foushee

Edited by Hannah Hillson

Last updated 05/24/2023

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Key Points

Public charging stations are found along major highways and in the parking lots of offices, libraries, and shopping centers.
Several charging networks are available; most have a compatible mobile app.
Federal funding will increase the availability of public charging stations in rural areas.
Tesla Superchargers will be available for all EVs in 7,500 locations by the end of 2024.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are increasing in popularity with efforts to expand green transportation and reduce carbon emissions. Taking trips or long drives in your EV requires a pit stop for charging. Fortunately, public charging stations are available for use along the way. Learn more about EV public charging stations, costs, benefits, and how to use them.

What is an EV public charging station?

Public charging stations for EVs offer a convenient way to charge your vehicle while on the go. Many libraries, shopping centers, and other frequented areas are adding public charging stations to their parking lots as a convenience for EV drivers.

EV charging station levels

There are three levels of charging speeds for electric vehicles.

Level 1: The slowest charging speed and often used at home. It takes 40–50 hours to charge a battery electric vehicle (BEV) from empty. Level 1 chargers take five to six hours to charge a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) from empty.
Level 2: Charges faster than Level 1. These chargers are the most common for EV public charging stations. They are often found at businesses and shopping centers. Level 2 chargers can charge a BEV in four to 10 hours and a PHEV in one to two hours from empty.
Level 3: These chargers are also known as direct-current fast chargers (DCFC). Level 3 chargers are quick and can charge a BEV in 20 minutes to an hour. Currently, most PHEVS are not compatible with Level 3 chargers. Level 3 chargers are available at public and commercial locations.

Types of charging stations

There are many different EV charging networks compatible with EVs. Depending on the EV type, you may need an adapter to charge. Many networks require users to create an account to manage payments, track usage, locate stations, and start sessions. Learn more about popular charge networks below.

ChargePoint

ChargePoint is one of the largest public charging station companies with nearly 110,000 Level 2 and 3 charging locations. It is the first charging network to receive an ENERGY STAR energy-efficiency certification from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for using 40% less energy than other chargers. ChargePoint rates vary by station location, demand, and owner.

Sign up for a free account with ChargePoint to make payments, locate stations, and receive alerts about your charging sessions. ChargePoint does not offer reservations but has features to save you time at the charging station. On the app’s map, locations appear blue if busy and green if spots are available. You can add yourself to a waitlist at busy stations and receive notifications when it’s your turn.

What to know: Downloading the ChargePoint smartphone app allows you to start a charging session with a tap on the screen and view savings insights.

EVgo

EVgo is a public charging company offering Level 3 charging stations in over 60 cities in the United States. Its stations provide four types of connectors for all EV types. EVgo’s fast chargers can charge your vehicle in 15 to 45 minutes. Drivers must create an account with EVgo through their smartphone app or get a program card to start a charging session. Earn five points for every dollar spent at an EVgo charging station with the rewards program and redeem points for charging credits.

EVgo offersfour plan options with recommendationsbased on your amount of public charger use. Depending on your location, the rate ranges from $0.22 to $0.54 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). You may also pay session fees, reservations, or monthly subscriptions, depending on your chosen plan. Ride-share drivers for Uber and Lyft receive special pricing plans to save money on charging costs. You can still use EVgo’s stations without an account, but the company will charge a $2.99 transaction fee. Select charging stations offer advance reservations.

What to know: All EVgo public chargers are powered by renewable energy and provide a fast charging experience.

Tesla

Tesla’s Destination Charging stations are public charging stations located at hotels, parking garages, and restaurants. Tesla Superchargers are another public charging option found at convenience stores that can charge your EV up to 200 miles in 15 minutes.

Tesla plans to open at least 7,500 Destination and Superchargers to all EVs by the end of 2024. The charging stations will no longer require adapters. Instead, the stations have Magic Docks, a connector for non-Tesla EVs, for compatibility.

Tesla’s Trip Planner navigation feature shows when spaces are available at Supercharger locations. Rates vary across Tesla chargers, and payment is automatically billed through your Tesla account.

What to know: Tesla Destination chargers are slower than Superchargers and will soon be available to non-Tesla drivers in some areas.

Volta

Currently, Volta has over 3,000 charging points in the U.S. Its stations offer Level 2 and 3 charging options. Volta stations do not allow drivers to make reservations, but you can make payments and locate stations via the app. The charge rate is determined by location and the number of kWh dispensed or the number of charging minutes.

What to know: Volta matches the amount of electricity used to power its charging network by purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to support the transition to green energy.

Cost of EV charging

The cost of charging an EV does not have a specific price range because each charging network has its own pricing structure. Charging rates vary by the company, location, extra fees, taxes, and the number of kWh dispensed. Some charge networks offer subscription-based payment plans, while others charge by usage. Station owners typically set the prices, and they can change them throughout the day based on the cost of electricity. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) offers resources to browse the average price of electricity by state.

Payment methods

Many charging stations offer various payment options, including credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Radio Frequency Identity (RFID) cards. RFID cards are a contactless method of payment where you tap the card to the register. The RFID card connects to your charging network account and keeps track of charges.

Pros and cons of public charging stations

Benefits of EV charging stations

The most significant benefit of public charging stations for drivers is convenience. Many EV drivers have Level 1 chargers at their homes, but public chargers are often faster and are available on the go. Public charging stations, like Tesla Superchargers, are often found at popular gas stations right off the highway.

EV public charging apps provide helpful maps and other features, such as reservations, to ease the search process and reduce wait times. Electricity can be less expensive than fueling a vehicle with gas, and there are many tools to compare the cost and calculate savings of eGallons.

Drawbacks of EV charging stations

There are also potential drawbacks to consider for EV public charging. An increase in EV popularity also increases the number of drivers needing a charge, resulting in long wait lines. Some EV drivers find the search for public stations to be inconvenient.

Where to find public charging stations

Find public charging stations for EVs across the country. EV drivers can utilize the popular GPS apps such as Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze, as well as charge network smartphone apps to find public charging station locations. The U.S. Department of Energy also offers a helpful map to show EV charging station locations.

EV charging infrastructure

The amount of EV public charging stations is increasing with the help of government incentives. The federal government set goals to combat climate change, including building a network of 500,000 EV public charging stations by 2030. Applications are open for the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program, which offers $2.5 billion over five years to increase accessibility to EV chargers in urban and rural areas.

Half the grant goes towards the community program for charging stations along public roads, buildings, schools, parks, and similar sites. The other half is for strategic placement near national highways and interstates. The grant is available to Tribes and city, county, and local governments to apply by the May 30, 2023, deadline.

Frequently asked questions

The amount of time it takes to charge an EV from empty depends on the type of charger. Level 2 chargers take about four to 10 hours to fully charge a BEV. Level 3 chargers, like the Tesla Supercharger, can charge an EV in less than an hour.
Public charging stations are located throughout the U.S. The U.S. Department of Energy, charge networks, and GPS apps offer helpful maps to locate charging stations near you.
Yes. The cost of using a public charging station varies by location and network. Some networks have subscription programs with monthly fees, and others charge per use. Check the stations in your area for local prices.
All EVs in the U.S. can use Level 1 and 2 chargers. Only certain EVs, like Teslas, can use Level 3 chargers. If you are a Tesla driver but want to use a non-Tesla charging station, you may need to use the J1772 adapter included with your Tesla. If you are a non-Tesla driver looking to use a Tesla Destination charger, you may need a Tesla to J1772 adapter until the Magic Dock is available. Some Tesla Superchargers are available for use without an adapter for non-Teslas. Check what you will need for each charging station before taking a drive.
On average, EVs can travel about 250–350 miles on a full charge. The size of the car’s battery, driving behavior, and other factors impact the vehicle’s mileage range. For example, the 2022 Tesla Model S can travel a long range of 405 miles, while the 2022 Mazda MX-30 can travel a range of 100 miles.