Although many electric vehicle (EV) owners primarily charge at home, if you drive an electric car for an extended period, you’ll eventually need to find a charger on the go. While this process can sometimes present challenges, such as system errors, access to chargers in the U.S. is rapidly improving.

The U.S. Department of Energy reports that the number of public chargers has dramatically risen from 57,000 in 2018 to 168,000 in 2023.

Before hitting the road, it’s essential to understand your charging options, and arguably more importantly, how to pay for them. This might seem straightforward, but it can turn out to be somewhat complex.

No need to fret; we’ve got all the details you require.

What’s the difference between charging at home and on the road?

Charging at home versus at a public charging station involves two key distinctions.

The first difference is cost, which we will explore in further detail shortly. However, unless you stumble upon one of the rare free chargers, it’s generally much more economical to charge at home.

The second significant difference is charging speed. There are three main classifications of EV chargers based on their speed: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. We provide a thorough breakdown of each here, but the key takeaway is that a higher number corresponds to a faster charge.

Most home chargers fall into the Level 1 or Level 2 categories. A Level 1 charger might take as long as a week to fully charge a modern EV, whereas a Level 2 charger can typically recharge a depleted battery overnight.

Level 3 chargers are much quicker, capable of delivering an 80 percent charge in around 20 minutes. These chargers are primarily found at public charging spots on the roadside.

What is a charging network?

A charging network refers to a group of chargers that operate under the same brand name, even if individual chargers have different operators.

Consider it similar to how brands like Mobil, Sunoco, or Texaco supply fuel and services to gas stations across the country, even though they don’t necessarily own the stations themselves.

Charging networks, however, have additional complexities. Unlike a fuel pump that simply dispenses liquid, an electric charger must engage in a sophisticated interaction with the EV to determine how much electricity it can provide and at what rate. This interaction, referred to as a handshake, entails a digital exchange of information, requiring the charger to modify its energy output accordingly.

This communication lasts throughout the charging session, during which the vehicle requests varying amounts of current based on factors like battery availability and temperature. Maintaining this ongoing dialogue is vital, especially since these charging sessions can extend for an hour or longer.

Additionally, chargers need to manage the payment process, which, for a few reasons, is much more intricate than the payment at a gas station. We will delve into that shortly.

What is a charging service?

A charging service refers to a unique service that provides charging capabilities for your electric vehicle (EV) at your location. This service often comes in handy during emergencies, such as when your energy-saving techniques don’t pan out, then you find yourself stranded far from the nearest charging station.

Although not widespread yet, these charging services are on the rise, with one of the largest providers in the U.S. being AAA. Mobile charging is included as part of AAA’s roadside assistance program, where members can receive up to 15 minutes of free charging assistance. Currently, this service is available in 24 cities and according to David Bennett, a senior repair manager at AAA, they are monitoring customer interest for possible expansion.

In Europe, Allianz operates a mobile charging service with over 100 electric trucks that offer charging in countries like France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. These trucks can deliver charging speeds of up to 75kW.

What are the biggest charging networks?

ChargePoint

ChargePoint stands out as one of the oldest and largest charging networks in the world, boasting over 315,000 charging stations globally. It caters to both residential and commercial use, and last year, it reported an impressive 83 percent rise in active charging sessions compared to the previous year.

The ChargePoint network comprises various charging options, including high-speed Level 3 chargers and slower Level 2 chargers. Consequently, while it has extensive coverage, not every charger here is ideal for a quick recharge during a long journey.

Payments at ChargePoint are primarily handled through its app, which accepts credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal. A few chargers also allow for credit card payments directly.

Tesla

The Supercharger network from Tesla is well-known and highly esteemed in the U.S. Tesla has been swiftly expanding its network to keep pace with its increasing vehicle sales. Moreover, as more automakers like Ford and General Motors adopt Tesla’s NACS port, anticipation for network growth is high.

Tesla claims to have over 50,000 Superchargers operational worldwide, with around half located in the U.S., equating to about 25,000 high-speed chargers available for NACS-compatible EVs.

Payments are processed via Tesla’s app, where users add a payment method. Tesla vehicles connect directly to the owner’s account, allowing for automatic payments.

Details are being finalized for other car manufacturers beginning to support NACS, such as Ford, whose payments will be automatically managed through the FordPass app once a payment method is established.

Blink

Blink ranks among the largest global charging networks with over 85,000 charging ports available by the end of 2023. While it doesn’t specify numbers by country, it is certainly a major player in the U.S. market. Blink is actively expanding, adding more than 4,000 new charging stations in just the second quarter of 2024. Additionally, Blink has partnered with the United States Postal Service to aid in the electrification of their fleet.

Blink provides a variety of charging types with different payment options, including in-app payments, direct credit card transactions, and phone payments.

Electrify America

Electrify America focuses on rapid charging capabilities, launching its first station in 2018 with 350-kilowatt speeds. Now, it provides a mix of 150- and 350-kW charging across 4,250 charging stations.

Payments can be made directly at the charging station using credit cards or through the EA app. Many of Electrify America’s chargers also support the plug & charge feature, enabling automatic payments once you connect a compatible EV.

Other charging networks

These mentioned networks are some of the leaders in the U.S. market, but numerous others exist. Important networks include Blink, EVgo, and Shell Recharge, alongside several smaller brands that are emerging as competitors.

There are also networks developed by automobile manufacturers, similar to Tesla’s, such as Rivian’s Adventure Network, which seeks to establish reliable high-quality charging options.

In the U.S., there are chargers equipped with various amenities nearby. This network is relatively new, having started just two years ago and already features nearly 500 high-speed chargers, with aspirations for a total of 3,500 chargers across 600 locations.

Beyond this network, there are many non-network chargers available at different businesses, with many of them being free. To locate these chargers, try using the PlugShare app, or refer to our list of EV chargers in your area.

What is the cost of charging?

Charging your electric vehicle (EV) at home is quite economical. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the average price for 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity is $0.18 nationwide. For an average EV equipped with an 80-kWh battery, like the Tesla Model Y, a complete charge from empty will cost approximately $14.40.

When charging outside, prices can vary greatly. Many Level 2 chargers at businesses are still free, so if you’re able to locate one and don’t mind leaving your vehicle parked there for an extended period, you can benefit from complimentary charging.

However, if you opt for faster Level 3 charging, expect to pay significantly more. Depending on the network and location, rates typically start around $0.50 per kWh, which means that charging the same 80-kWh battery could cost about $40.

While this is pricey, it’s still often cheaper than filling up with gasoline.

There are also strategies to help minimize these costs. Many credit cards now provide rewards or cashback offers for EV charging similar to those for gasoline purchases.

Moreover, several networks have subscription plans that can reduce the per-kWh fee in exchange for a monthly charge. For instance, Electrify America offers a Pass+ plan for $7 a month, which provides a 25% discount on charging rates.

Be aware that there can also be other charges. Idle fees are becoming more common, with networks imposing charges on drivers who leave their cars plugged in too long. At Tesla’s Supercharger stations, users are allowed five minutes to unplug after charging is finished. After this period, if the Supercharger station is over 50% full, an additional charge of $0.50 per minute applies, increasing to $1.00 per minute if the station is fully occupied. This can add up quickly if you plan on going to the movies!

How do payments work for charging?

Filling up with gas is typically straightforward: you pull up, swipe your card, fill your tank, and drive off. Simple, right?

Charging an EV, however, can be a bit less straightforward. Different networks have varying payment options. While some EV chargers come equipped with credit card readers for easy transactions, others may require something different.

Most commonly, this involves using a specific app. If you frequently charge your EV in public, your phone is likely to be filled with apps from several different charging networks, each having its own login information and security features. If you’re not already using a password manager, now might be the perfect time to start!

Why the added complexity? There are several factors at play. Part of the reason is due to the aforementioned fees, which could lead to additional charges added to your card after charging.

Furthermore, by opting for app-based payments, charging networks can gather valuable data about users’ behavior. This allows them to build a more extensive profile on user habits regarding their vehicles and charging times. Ideally, this data helps them enhance their network. However, it also opens up the possibility for selling trend data to interested parties who want insights into the habits of EV owners.

Lastly, most charging networks have a preference for in-app payments to lower their operational costs. By facilitating payments through apps and preloaded accounts, they can consolidate charges and avoid incurring substantial per-transaction fees, especially when processing numerous small transactions.

Once you’ve downloaded the necessary apps and mapped out your charging route, you should be all set. Don’t forget to check our guide for good EV charger etiquette; nobody wants to be inconsiderate while charging. Besides that, charging should be a smooth experience.