There are public electric car charging stations located all over the United States. Some of these stations are that they are free to use! Some of them are pay-as-you-go or subscription-based. It is easy and convenient for drivers to charge their electric cars while on the go. So if you’re looking for a way to top up your car’s battery, be sure to check out the public charging stations near you!
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How to find free electric vehicle charging locations?
Public electric car charging stations have become a popular way to fuel electric and hybrid cars. While many of these charging stations require payment, some are free to use. Here’s a guide on finding the public electric car charging stations that offer free charging.
1:Look online
Several websites list public electric car charging stations, and many of them include information on whether or not the charging is free. PlugShare is one website with a comprehensive map of public charging stations worldwide, and it includes information on whether or not each station offers free charging.
2:Contact your local government
Many municipalities have created public electric car charging stations to reduce emissions and traffic congestion. Contact your local government office to inquire about public charging stations in your area.
3:Ask around
If you know someone who owns an electric or hybrid car, ask them where they usually charge their car. Chances are, they know of at least one public electric car charging station that offers free charging.
4:Use an app
Several apps can help you find public electric car charging stations. The most popular app for this is ChargePoint, which has a database of more than 38,000 public charging stations in the United States.
5:Check with your electric company
Some electric companies offer free public charging to their customers to encourage the use of electric vehicles. Contact your electric company to see if they have any public charging stations in your area.
6:Look for special events
Significant events such as music festivals and marathons often have free public electric car charging stations available to participants and spectators. Keep an eye out for announcements about upcoming events in your area that will have free public charging.
What's the cost to charge an electric car at a public charging station in us?
Now, let’s talk about the cost of public electric car charging stations in the United States.
- It costs $0.30 per kWh in public electric car charging stations, and the average person will use 1-3kWh per hour of parking time, so you can expect to pay around $0.80 to $2.60 per hour to charge your electric car in public.
- Keep in mind that these rates may vary depending on the location of the public charging station.
- Many public charging stations offer introductory rates or time-based discounts. For example, Blink Network offers a first hour of charging for free and then charges $0.25 per kWh for every additional hour.
- Greenlots has a similar offer, where drivers can park for free and then pay $0.25 per kWh for charging. And EVgo allows drivers to charge for up to one hour for free, after which they will be charged $0.34 per kWh.
However, some public charging stations do not have any fees associated with them. For example, Tesla’s Superchargers are free to use for Tesla drivers, and the city of Los Angeles offers free public charging through its LAZoRE program.
How do public electric car charging stations charge pricing?
Charging public electric cars is a little more complicated than just plugging in your vehicle and walking away.
Three primary public charging pricing models:
- (1) Plug & Charge
- (2) monthly subscriptions
- (3) free.
Some charge station network providers offer a combination of the two.
Public electric car charging stations come in various pricing models, the most common of which is paid as you go.
Some networks offer lower rates for frequent members, while others provide free charging for a limited time.
No matter which pricing model you choose, always read the terms and conditions carefully before using a public electric car charging station.
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