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Most charging will be done at home or workplaces, but public charging stations make plug-in electric vehicles (also known as electric cars or EVs) even more convenient. They increase the useful range of all-electric vehicles and can increase the number of all-electric miles traveled by plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. With more than 10,000 charging locations across the country, station availability is increasing rapidly.
To find charging stations near you, just enter your address, ZIP code or state in the tool above. If you are headed on a trip, use the route planner in the above tool to find stations along the way. You can also easily access the Alternative Fueling Station Locator from your phone with the iPhone app or mobile-specific site.
Most public charging uses Level 2 or DC fast-charge electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). Level 2 can provide 10 to 60 miles of range per hour, while DC fast charge can deliver 60 to 100 miles of range in 20 minutes or less. Public charging is located in spots where vehicles are highly concentrated, such as shopping centers, city parking lots and garages, airports, hotels, government offices, and other businesses.
Most public stations are moving towards a pay-for-use system, although some public charging is still free. Different charging networks have different payment models, all designed to make paying for charging as easy as paying for parking. You might use a network card such as ChargePoint, Blink, or SemaCharge; swipe your credit card; use your smart phone to enter a charging account number; or even insert coins or bills to charge. While some companies require membership to use their EVSE or obtain a discount, in many cases, you may only be charged a single fee for parking and charging.