Where Can I Charge My Electric Car?

Electric vehicle (EV) use has soared, with more than 1.7 million now on US roads. The good news? A range of public and private charging points are available to keep your EV juiced up, with more than 50,000 stations dotted around the country. From your home to hotels, and parking lots to malls, you’ll never be short of choices.

Read on to explore where to charge electric cars in the US. Find the right option to suit your driving needs.

Public EV Charging

From traditional gas stations and malls to airports and community centers, the US boasts a huge network of public charging stations. In fact, it’s estimated that there are now 140,000 chargers across these sites.

Keep an eye out for free stations when deciding where to charge electric cars. Some locations offer unlimited charging at no cost. Others might have a time limit of between 30 minutes and four hours before fees kick in. These fees can vary, but often range from $0.40 to $1.30 per minute.

The charging speed can impact whether a station is free or not. For example, DC fast-chargers can power cars up from empty to 80% in less than an hour. So, as you might expect, fees are more likely when using DC charging points.

To easily find charging stations near you, download an app from one of Hertz charging network partners for exclusive savings!

• EVgo
• Chargepoint (shares network with EVgo)
• Blink (shares network with EVgo)
• EVCS

Charging Your EV at Home

Home charging is the most direct way to keep your EV on the move. There are two main ways to charge an electric car at home, depending on the make and model. These are:

1. Level 1 charging. With this option, you simply hook your vehicle up to the mains, using a basic 120-volt portable charger.
2. Level 2 charging. Want something a bit more advanced? Installing a 240-volt unit allows you to charge your EV faster.

The main benefit of charging an EV at home is convenience. You won’t need to spend time finding – and waiting around – a public charging station. Instead, you can park on your driveway and power up at a time to suit you. This could be as soon as you get in from work, on a quiet Sunday afternoon or just before you go to bed.

The cost of a home charger could also work out cheaper than you might think, with typical prices of between $520 and $1,300, though tye can cost more. It all depends on the charger you go for – and the type of electric car you drive.

On the flipside, a home charger won’t be right for everyone. After all, you’ll need to cover the initial set-up costs in the short term. And a basic Level 1 device could potentially take days to provide a full charge. Every driver – and home environment – is different. So carefully weigh up the pros and cons when working out where to charge your electric car.

Charging Your EV at Work

A growing number of employers now offer staff the opportunity to charge EVs from their workplace. This could be from a dedicated hub or garage – or a basic office parking lot.

As with home charging, your employer may choose to install a Level 1 or Level 2 solution. There’s also the option of DC fast-charging points, which tend to be quicker but more costly to run .

Some companies may offer EV chargers as a free employment perk, but it’s always worth checking for potential fees. And while a workplace charger could allow you to get on with calls, meetings and other day-to-day office tasks, it’s important to remember that there might be access restrictions. After all, you’ll need to share these resources with other drivers.

Think about the opening hours of your workplace, too. You might find chargers are out of action at the weekend or during peak rush-hour periods. So, research whether a rota is in place and who is responsible for security.

Where Can I Charge My Electric Car For Free?

Hotels, parking lots and malls are among the places where you can track down free EV charging points. You’ll find handy locator apps with a quick online search. The Department of Energy also offers a useful tracking tool.

Charging an EV at a hotel

Premium hotel chains have been quick to spot the potential of EV cars, with many providing guests with dedicated charging points.

The exact fees and deals will differ from chain to chain. But some might include the cost in the overall price of your stay – or offer free charging as an added perk.

Charging an EV at a parking lot

Many US parking lots offer free EV charging, with the cost built into the ticket price. For others, you might need to pay a flat fee, hourly rate or a cost based on the electricity consumed.

Apps such as PlugShare and ChargeFinder can help you find where charging stations for electric cars are located.

Charging an EV while shopping

Malls and major grocery chains are also embracing the EV revolution, with brands like Kroger, Target, Safeway and Vons providing parking spaces with chargers – some of them even offer free charging.

Learn about Hertz EV charging options