Umair Gaines
Electric vehicle (EV) owners can charge their cars at public charging stations, which are essential for longer road trips. The cost of charging an EV at a public charging station varies depending on factors such as the charging network, region, speed, and amount of energy transferred to the car's battery. Some public charging stations are free, while others require payment through methods such as contactless cards, RFID cards, or smartphone apps. The fees at public charging stations are generally higher than the cost of charging an EV at home, and the fastest Level 3 chargers, also known as DC fast chargers, are typically found in commercial public charging stations.
Characteristics and Values of Public Electric Chargers
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Payment Methods | Contactless credit or debit card, RFID card, Zap-Pay, ChargePoint, PlugShare, ChargeHub, Ubitricity, or the network's app |
| Cost | Usually based on the amount of electricity delivered to the EV, typically charged per kilowatt-hour (kWh) |
| Cost Comparison | More expensive than charging at home, but still cheaper than filling up a gas-powered car |
| Availability | Free charging points are available in some locations, including malls, universities, hotels, parking lots, and casinos |
| Speed | Varies depending on the charger type and the size of the EV's battery |
| Ease of Use | Contactless payment is quick and easy but tends to be the most expensive option and does not provide live updates |
| Uptime | Charging networks claim high uptime rates, but a 2021 study found that 23% of DC fast chargers were non-functional |
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What You'll Learn
Payment methods: Contactless, RFID cards, and apps are all options
Payment methods for public electric vehicle (EV) chargers vary. Contactless card payments are an option at some charging stations, although this may exclude 7kW chargers. RFID (radio-frequency identification) cards are another option, which allow you to start and end a charge by tapping your card against a reader. These cards are available through certain apps, such as bp pulse, which also allow you to locate charging points near you.
Charging station providers often have their own apps, such as EVgo, Electrify America, and ChargePoint, which can streamline the payment process and allow you to monitor your vehicle's charging status. PlugShare is another widely used app that relies on users to supply current information about charging stations, such as whether they are under construction or charging slower than usual. It also provides tutorials and tips for electric car drivers.
Some charging networks may require you to sign up for an account or subscribe to their service to access certain payment options or receive discounts. It is a good idea to have several apps downloaded when traveling far from home, as different areas may have different charging networks.
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Cost: Fees vary by region, speed, and energy transferred
The cost of charging your electric vehicle (EV) at a public charging station varies depending on several factors. These include the region, the speed of the charger, and the amount of energy transferred to the car's battery pack.
Firstly, the fees at public charging stations differ by region. For example, the average electricity cost in Massachusetts is over 30 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), while in Colorado, it is approximately 15 cents per kWh. This variation in electricity prices across regions affects the cost of charging your EV.
Secondly, the speed of the charger influences the cost. DC fast chargers, also known as Level 3 chargers, are typically found in public charging stations. These chargers use high-voltage direct current, resulting in faster charging but at a higher cost. The daytime charging rate at a Level 3 location is around 56 cents per kWh, significantly higher than the average residential electricity cost. On the other hand, Level 2 charging is generally more affordable than DC fast charging.
Lastly, the amount of energy transferred to the car's battery also impacts the cost. Most charging stations charge by the kWh, and the fee for a charging session is typically higher than charging your EV at home. The cost per kWh can range from 16 cents to 50 cents or more, depending on various factors, including the charging network, the battery's size, and how rapidly it receives energy.
It's worth noting that some public charging stations offer free EV charging, such as those found in shopping malls, universities, hotels, and casinos. Additionally, some charging networks provide special plans with a monthly fee that can reduce the overall charging cost.
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Availability: Public chargers are vital on long trips
The availability of public charging stations is crucial for electric vehicle (EV) owners embarking on long-distance trips. While charging an EV at home is typically more cost-effective, public chargers become indispensable when travelling beyond the range of a single battery charge.
Public EV charging stations are widely available across the United States, with networks like Electrify America establishing charging points at workplaces, in communities, and on highways. These stations offer various charging speeds, from Level 2 to Hyper-Fast, enabling EV owners to recharge their vehicles in as little as 30 minutes. The convenience of these stations is further enhanced by mobile apps that allow users to locate stations, initiate and monitor charging, and make payments directly from their smartphones.
However, the reliability of public chargers is a concern. A study found that nearly 23% of DC fast chargers in the nation's largest EV market were non-functional due to issues such as unresponsive touchscreens, payment system failures, and broken connectors. This highlights the importance of having a backup plan when relying on public chargers during long trips, such as identifying alternative charging stations along the route or using apps like PlugShare, which provides real-time information about the status of charging stations.
Payment methods for public chargers have evolved to offer greater convenience. In addition to traditional methods like RFID cards, many stations now accept contactless credit or debit card payments, making the process quicker and more accessible. Additionally, some networks, such as ubitricity, offer pay-as-you-go options by scanning a QR code with a smartphone, providing flexibility for EV drivers.
While most public charging stations require payment, there are still free charging points available. Some retailers, like Whole Foods, offer free charging at select locations, and free chargers can also be found at malls, hotels, and grocery stores. However, it's always advisable to confirm the availability of free charging before plugging in, as these perks may change over time.
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Reliability: Many public chargers are non-functional
While the number of public EV charging stations is growing, with many free options, the reliability of these stations is a cause for concern. A study of public electric vehicle stations in California's Bay Area, a hotspot for electric cars, found that only 72.5% of chargers were operational. This is a major issue, as California has the most electric car owners of any state in the US. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, tested 657 individual charging plugs at 181 public DC fast-charging stations.
The results showed that 22.7% of connectors were non-functional due to network connectivity issues, broken plugs, unresponsive screens, and payment system failures. In addition, around 5% of connectors had cables that were too short to reach an EV's charging port, making them unusable. These findings are not unique to California, as a similar body of research in the Northeast found that charging stations were often broken or awaiting service. A survey of 1,290 electric car drivers in California also found that 44% of owners saw operability or payment issues as barriers to charging.
The issue of non-functional public EV chargers is not new. In 2022, the US Department of Energy (DOE) requested information about non-functional public EV chargers, citing issues with some EVs failing to charge satisfactorily when connected to electric vehicle supply equipment. While charging networks claim uptime rates of 95% and higher, the reality on the ground suggests otherwise. The discrepancy between the uptime rates reported by EV service providers and the actual functionality of public chargers highlights the need for standardized definitions and calculations for reliability, uptime, and downtime.
The lack of reliability in public EV chargers can be a significant hindrance to the mass adoption of electric vehicles. As the popularity of electric cars grows, it is essential that funding is directed towards improving the public charging infrastructure.
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Alternatives: Some retailers offer free charging
While paid public charging is a cost per kilowatt-hour, free options still exist. As of March 2025, out of more than 76,000 charging devices on Zapmap, 1,872 were free to use. This is around 2.4% of all EV charging points. In the UK, Greater London, the South East, and the East of England have the highest number of free EV chargers.
Some retailers use free charging as a way to attract loyal customers. For example, Whole Foods offers free charging at many locations, and Macy's and Kroger have added free charging locations at select stores. Cinemark, a movie theater chain, offers 160 free EV charging stations at select locations. Some hotels also offer free charging.
To locate free chargers, you can use apps such as PlugShare, ChargeFinder, ChargeHub, or Zapmap, and select the "free to use" filter. However, keep in mind that free charging options may decrease over time as more people adopt electric vehicles.
In addition to free charging, some charging networks offer perks such as automatic charging and billing. For example, Fastned's Autocharge system can automatically recognize a registered car and start the charging process.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there are thousands of free EV charging points across the UK. Around 4% of charging devices in the UK are free to use, and some major retailers, such as Whole Foods, offer free charging at many locations.
There are several ways to pay for public electric chargers. Many networks now take contactless credit or debit card payments, and some also allow you to register an RFID card to pay. Some networks, such as ubitricity, allow for payment on a pay-as-you-go basis by scanning a QR code with your smartphone.
The cost of charging an electric car at a public station varies depending on factors such as the region, the charger's speed, and the amount of energy transferred to the car's battery. Generally, public chargers will charge by the kilowatt-hour (kWh), and fees at some stations are priced per minute.
There are several apps available that provide information on public electric charging stations, such as PlugShare and Zapmap. These apps can help you locate free charging stations and provide updates on charging status.
Public charging stations rarely have attendants, and a study found that almost 23% of DC fast chargers were nonfunctional due to issues such as unresponsive touchscreens, payment system failures, and broken connectors. Therefore, it is important to be aware of potential issues with public chargers and consider alternatives if the station is busy or nonfunctional.
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