When EVs first started gaining traction with consumers, one of the biggest concerns was the availability of public charging stations. The cost savings and environmental benefits of driving an electric vehicle are hard to up, but if you can’t easily find a place to recharge, the appeal diminishes quickly.
Fast forward to today: the number of public charging stations has risen significantly and is poised to expand even more over the next several years. A combination of national and regional efforts, particularly in EV-friendly states like California, is helping to create the infrastructure that will the growing number of electric vehicles on the road.
What’s driving the growth?
In the U.S., more than 192,000 public charging points now available across the country, more than double the 78,500 that were up and running in 2019. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law ed in 2021 has been a key factor in this growth. The law allocated $7.5 billion specifically for EV charging infrastructure, with the goal of deploying 500,000 public chargers by 2030. That’s still well short of the estimated 2.3 million public charging stations needed nationwide by 2030, but innovations in home charging and EV range could help bridge the gap.
Meanwhile, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, managed by the Federal Highway istration, is providing funding to states to build out a nationwide network of EV chargers, with a focus on creating reliable and accessible charging corridors along major highways.
Unsurprisingly, California has been a leader in this area, with the growth driven by both government initiatives and private investment. As of 2024, there are nearly 50,000 public charging stations in the state, with a significant portion located in Southern California metro areas like Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County and surrounding areas. The state’s goal is to install 250,000 public chargers by 2025 — an ambitious goal, but still far short of the more than 1 million public chargers that will be needed by 2030, California energy officials project.
Private sector contributions
The private sector has also played a crucial role in the expansion of the national EV charging network. Companies like Tesla, ChargePoint and Electrify America are leading the charge, each contributing to a more extensive and reliable network.
- Tesla Superchargers: Tesla’s Supercharger network remains one of the most comprehensive, with more than 2,000 Supercharger stations and over 20,000 individual charging stalls across the U.S. The network is designed to enable long-distance travel, with stations strategically placed along major routes. Tesla has also announced plans to open its Supercharger network to non-Tesla vehicles, further increasing its impact on the overall charging landscape.
- Electrify America: Electrify America, a subsidiary of Volkswagen, has established a network of over 800 charging stations with more than 3,500 fast chargers across the country. The company is focused on providing ultra-fast charging options, with many of its stations offering up to 350 kW of power, making it one of the fastest charging networks available.
- ChargePoint: ChargePoint operates one of the largest EV charging networks in the world, with over 30,000 public charging locations in the U.S. alone. The company offers a mix of Level 2 and DC fast chargers, catering to both daily commuters and long-distance travelers.
“I am very encouraged by the growth of charging networks across the nation,” said Elaine Borseth, president of the Electric Vehicle Association, a nonprofit with 100 chapters across the U.S. that advocates for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. “While we still have much work to do, opening the Tesla network to more automakers is a game changer that will make local and road-trip charging more available to every EV driver. To truly make EVs affordable and accessible to all, however, we must continue expanding low-cost, public charging options in every community.”
Home charging options
While public charging networks are important for long trips and those who can’t charge at home, home charging remains one of the biggest advantages of owning an electric vehicle. It’s like having your own personal gas station—only quieter, cleaner and more convenient.
There are a couple of key options when it comes to home charging. The simplest is using a standard 120-volt outlet, which is often referred to as Level 1 charging. This doesn’t require any special equipment, but it’s also the slowest method. For most EVs, you’re looking at adding around 4 to 5 miles of range per hour of charging. This might be fine if you only drive a few miles each day and have all night to recharge, but it’s not ideal for everyone.
That’s where Level 2 chargers come in. These chargers run on a 240-volt circuit, like what you’d use for a dryer or an electric range, and they can add 25 to 30 miles of range per hour of charging. Installing a Level 2 charger at home usually requires a bit of an investment upfront—you’ll need to purchase the charging unit and possibly hire an electrician to handle the installation—but the payoff in convenience and speed is worth it for many EV owners.
Some EV manufacturers, like Tesla and Ford, offer their own branded home charging stations, but there are also plenty of third-party options available, like those from JuiceBox or ChargePoint. Many of these units come with smart features that let you monitor your charging status via an app, schedule charges to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates, and even integrate with home energy systems.
For those who have solar s, home charging can be particularly appealing. Charging your car with energy generated from the sun is not only environmentally friendly, but it can also save you money in the long run. Some home charging systems are even designed to work seamlessly with solar setups, maximizing efficiency.
