A Guide to Public EV Charging in the U.S.

Without set standards, it's like the Wild West out there — only more high tech.

Andrew Lawrence | 

Oct 29, 2024 | 5 min read

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Not only are there multiple styles of plug and port types, but the various charging networks often require a specific app in order to make payments. When the machines (or those apps) suffer glitches or a promised fast charge takes forever, you could have second thoughts about joining the EV revolution.

To limit the difficulty of charging on the go, it can help to know what the playing field looks like. Here's a rundown of who's offering electrons in public spaces.

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Five Types of EV Plugs Can Recharge Your Vehicle

Before getting into the various charging networks, it's helpful to recap the five types of EV plugs.

• Type 1 is a five-pin, single-phase AC plug that can provide up to 19.2 kilowatts from a 120-volt outlet. It's the slowest way to charge.
• Type 2 is a seven-pin, triple-phase AC plug, allowing for public-station charging speeds of up to 43 kW.
• CCS is short for combined charging system and is an enhanced version of the AC plugs, with two additional power contacts. It supports both AC and DC charging, the latter maxing out at 350 kW.
• CHAdeMO translates to charge for moving and offers electrons at a rate of up to 100 kW. It predates the CCS and Tesla tech and allows for bidirectional flow, meaning you could theoretically run your home off your car battery if the power went out. While popular in Japan, CHAdeMO plugs (and ports) are on their way out in the United States.
• Tesla has its own plug, specific to its vehicles. It can provide AC or DC power.

Tesla

Taking Charge with EV Stations

Tesla

Before it even had a proper fleet, Tesla made a point of building up the charging infrastructure for its cars. More than a decade old, its Supercharger network boasts more than 1,700 stations in the U.S., many of which have multiple plugs. Each stall is capable of delivering anywhere from 90 to 300 kW (and soon 350 kW) of direct current through a proprietary plug that works exclusively with Tesla models. The automaker claims its top-performing stations can replenish up to 200 miles in 15 minutes.

The machines don't have touchscreens or any kind of payment interface. Everything is done through the automaker's app, including unlocking the plug from the stall and paying for your charging experience. The average cost to charge a Tesla at a Supercharger is around 25 cents per kilowatt-hour.

Tesla opened up its network to other makes, installing what it calls a magic dock at certain locations to provide power through a CCS plug. Users may unlock these machines via the Tesla app, but they'll pay a higher rate than Tesla owners. The company offers discounts to those who sign up for a monthly membership.

ChargePoint

ChargePoint has roughly 30,000 stations and primarily serves electric cars that connect to power via a Type 2 plug, though some have the option for 50-kW fast-charging. Charging costs of the AC stations will vary, as they are independently owned.

People may use a physical ChargePoint card or the dedicated app to unlock a station. The app also provides information about stations' availability and will relay information about your vehicle's progress during a charge.

Electrify America

Electrify America (EA), in partnership with Volkswagen, has 950-plus stations and more than 4,250 fast-chargers.

The pricing structure varies by charger location, but if you pay for a $7 monthly membership, you'll receive 25% off the rate. Automakers who partner with EA — including Volkswagen and Kia — often offer their customers a limited amount of free charging at these stations.

EVgo

You can access the EVgo network without the app and pay with a credit card, but subscribers get discounts. The company manages more than 1,000 stations across the country.

Thanks to a partnership between EVgo and General Motors, those numbers are set to increase by 2025. EVgo offers four pricing plans, charging customers up to about $13 a month for access to the best rate with no session fees.

Smaller Outfits

Francis Energy boasts nearly 200 stations with about 950 plugs — including fast-charging stations — throughout nine states, with 40 secured for the expansion of 1,200 additional sites. You can pay with an app, an RFID card, or a regular credit card.

EV Connect, Blink, and Shell Recharge (formerly Volta) offer both AC and DC stations. EV Connect leaves it up to the roaming network to set their own pricing, while Blink charges vary between stations, with discounts offered to members. Shell Recharge allows payment through the app, although some stations do not require the app for payment.

Future Power Players

7Charge is a new charging-network brand currently offered in eight states by convenience store chain 7-Eleven. It supports EVs with either a CHAdeMO or CCS port. Walmart plans on offering charging as well at U.S. locations by 2030.

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The Must-Have App for EV charging

If you own an EV, you'll want to download the PlugShare app. It's like Yelp for charging. You don't need a login and can use it any time to help with your trip planning. The app catalogs the public stations covered, and crowdsourced reviews fill in details such as precise stall locations — handy when a machine is hidden inside a parking garage — and if there's an issue with one.

Andrew Lawrence

Andrew Lawrence learned to read from car magazines, learned to write drafting complaint letters to Audi execs, and learned to drive in a 1988 Volvo 760 Turbo wagon—and has been chasing that blissful rear-wheel drive high ever since. His main career goal is to write enough to afford owning (and repairing) a Volkswagen Phaeton.