On the go charging

For those who don’t have access to home charging, need a charging boost during the day, or are on a road trip, there are other ways to charge. 

Workplace charging

Some workplaces offer charging stations for employees. Plug in when you arrive at work, and your car will be charged and ready for your drive home. Most workplace charging is Level 2. 

Public charging

The number of publicly available charging stations grows every day, providing charging opportunities as you go about your day. These stations can be found in parking lots at grocery stores, hotels, movie theaters, shopping centers, parks, and more. They can be Level 2 chargers or direct-current fast chargers (DC fast chargers). Find available chargers through PlugShare and Alternative Fuels Data Center. Most EVs also have built-in navigation systems that can help you find a nearby charging station with a few taps. Some will even precondition your vehicle before you arrive at a fast charger! 

DC fast charging 

DC fast charging stations offer the quickest charge available. The rate at which they fill up an electric vehicle varies depending on several factors, including how “empty” the vehicle’s battery is, the battery’s capacity, and the fast charger’s power output. Additionally, vehicles take longer to charge in cold weather. 

The higher the power output of the charger, the quicker the charge: 

  • The most common power range for public DC fast charging (DCFC) ports in the United States is 150–349 kW, with 250 kW becoming the standard for new public DCFC installations. This is a significant shift from earlier years, when 50 kW and 150 kW chargers dominated the market. As an example, a 250kW DCFC can charge a Hyundai Ioniq 5 with an 84 kWh battery (318-mile range) from 20 percent to 80 percent in about 16 minutes, adding up to 140 miles in 10 minutes. 
  • Ultra-fast charging stations with an energy output of 350kW and higher can charge vehicles with large batteries (100kWh+) to 80 percent in about 15 minutes and add up to 200 miles in 10 minutes. Vehicles capable of accepting that power level are only now entering the market. 

Fast charging allows EV drivers to travel beyond their home base, making long-distance trips doable in less time. Additionally, they are important in metropolitan settings, with public and private fleets, and for people without reliable access to home charging. They also boost prospective EV owners’ confidence and reduce range anxiety, thereby increasing EV adoption. Further, fast charging stations are critical for increasing EV adoption amongst transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft.

Combined Charging System-1 (CCS-1) 

Used by: Older American/European and certain Asian EVs. Examples include the Chevrolet Bolt, BMW i3, Kia e-Niro, and Jaguar I-Pace, as well as modern EVs equipped with J3400 and an adapter.  

Also used by heavy-duty vehicles, such as transit buses.  

Energy output: 25kW-350kW 

CHAdeMO 

Used by: Legacy Nissan Leafs and Mitsubishi Outlanders. 

Energy output: 25kW-150kW 

J3400 

Used by: Most modern EVs sold in North America or older vehicles equipped with CCS-1 using an adapter.  

Energy output: Up to 500kW 

Most public stations are privately operated Level 2 chargers that cost a few dollars per hour, or assess a per kilowatt-hour fee (e.g., $0.30/kWh or more), making them much less expensive than filling a gasoline tank. Public Level 2 stations can be free to use.  

DC fast chargers cost more to use than Level 2 chargers, and fees vary widely. Most stations assess a per kilowatt-hour fee (e.g., $0.50/kWh or more) and can assess a connection fee in addition to a per kilowatt-hour fee (e.g., $2.50 to connect and $0.35/kWh). 

If you’re interested in making your trip truly zero-emission, you can find stations powered 100 percent by renewable energy, like wind and solar. Find these on PlugShare.com. 

Yes! While road tripping in a BEV might not be quite as simple as in a gas-powered vehicle, many BEVs come equipped with over a 300-mile range. With expanding charging infrastructure, there are plenty of options for even the longest days of errands and adventures. PlugShare has a Trip Planner tool that helps you plan where to charge on long trips.

If you’ve reached the end of your journey and still have questions, contact us or consult our Electric Vehicle Resource Database.

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