EV Charging Stations

If you drive an electric car, you can charge your battery at home or work. You may also use public charging stations, which are becoming increasingly common in communities nationwide. But are these stations free? And if not, how much does it cost to charge your EV?

Most of the chargers you’ll find in the wild are level 2 or slow chargers. These can add about 25 miles of power to a Chevrolet Bolt or other EV in about an hour. Level 3 chargers, which offer even more power in less time, are a bit harder to come by. You can sometimes use them for free at some restaurants, hotels, and malls that partner with a provider such as Volta.

Some employers pay for workplace Ev Charging Stations for employees. In those cases, workers will usually be required to sign up for a company account and provide proof of employment. Other companies ask for a payment or usage fee from EV owners who charge at their workplace stations. This can be a way to offset capital or operational costs for the employer and to help deter misuse of workplace stations by non-EV owners.

New York City, for example, has a network of fast charging hubs that will be available to all New York residents for a per-hour charge. These hubs are located in city-owned parking lots and garages, and they include up to four DC fast chargers and two Level 2 chargers. The hubs are part of the city’s EVgo program, and users can pay by smartphone or tap card at the station or on its website. The program is expected to be available in early 2021.

Are EV Charging Stations Free?

The free EV charging at some restaurants, hotels, and other businesses can be a great convenience for people who travel a lot with their EVs. EVgo and other apps like Plugshare and EVmatch offer filters to let you search or sort by charger type, speed, availability, and price– including the option to only look for free stations. Some apps also allow you to reserve a spot at a charging station, which is handy for times when all the spots are taken and you need to get on your way soon.

In general, most public EV chargers are not free. Some may have a small fee, such as $0.04-$0.06 per minute or a flat rate of $0.39-$0.79 per kWh, depending on the provider and state laws. Others require a membership or credit card, which is common at hotel chains and some gas stations. Some Ev Charging Stations providers, such as Electrify America and ChargePoint, offer a streamlined payment and monitoring system.

There are some exceptions to this rule, however. Some public stations are owned by the government and operated by a nonprofit. These stations can be free to use, although they may not be the most convenient locations. Similarly, some workplace charging stations are free for employees but not the general public. These types of facilities often have a small fee or other restrictions, such as limiting the number of cars that can charge at any given time.