If you drive an electric vehicle, a good home charger will transform the experience. It’ll make EV ownership simpler and less stressful, especially if you don’t need to rely on free or paid public charging stations on road trips.
But not all EV charging stations are equal. To choose the right one for your home, you need to know what kind of power rate your EV can accept.
1. EVgo
EVgo operates one of the largest public fast charging networks for electric vehicles in the US. Its more than 850 stations are located across 30 states and 60 metro areas, with dozens of new sites in construction or development. The company’s EVgo app and website make it easy to find chargers along your route or in a specific location. Users can enter their EV’s model, connector type and charging speed to see which stations are compatible. The site’s trip planner is another useful tool for finding nearby charging stations on your planned EV road trips.
Unlike other public charging networks, EVgo’s charging stations are powered by renewable energy sources. This helps reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. It also makes the charging experience safer and more convenient for EV drivers. The company is expected to continue expanding its network and introducing new technologies that make it even more convenient for EV owners.
Evgo offers a range of membership plans that vary in cost and benefits. Its On-The-Go plan is best for frequent EV owners and costs 10c per minute at DC fast charging stations. The EVgo Autocharge+ feature allows you to start charging without tapping on the station’s screen or having to enter a passcode. EVgo’s app can also be used to track a session, monitor your charging and receive alerts.
Some EVgo users report that the service is not as reliable as other charging networks. Especially during peak demand, it may take longer to start a charging session or the charger may not be available at all. EVgo is working to improve its reliability and has launched its EVgo ReNew program to replace old and broken stations.
2. ChargePoint
With a sleek and user-friendly interface, ChargePoint charging stations offer an easy-to-use and convenient EV charging experience. Whether you’re on the road or at work, these charging stations are perfect for anyone looking to reduce their emissions and improve their driving experience. Additionally, these stations provide quick and efficient power delivery for all types of EVs.
ChargePoint’s network is the largest in North America, which is a great relief for drivers who suffer from range anxiety. Their fast chargers can charge your EV in just 30 minutes, which helps you get back on the road quickly and comfortably. Additionally, their mobile app allows users to track station availability and prices. Some locations even have discounts or free charging during certain times of the day to encourage EV adoption.
Moreover, ChargePoint offers a wide variety of services for businesses that need to add electric car charging ports to their workplaces. These include charging station management software, which automates all data entry and monthly reporting. It also allows business owners to monitor EV charging usage, driver details, energy use, and payments from a central location.
Another advantage of ChargePoint is its ability to monitor and support charging stations 24/7. This ensures that customers are never left stranded in the middle of the highway and can depend on the company for help when needed. In addition to this, Chargepoint offers a warranty and service plan for their products that guarantees customer satisfaction.
ChargePoint’s EV chargers have varying power levels, from Level 1 chargers that give you about 4 miles of range per hour to DC fast chargers that can take your EV to full capacity in a matter of minutes. Its smart EV charging platform provides real-time visibility and helps manage EV charging with interoperability and industry-leading roaming partnerships. It also offers a comprehensive suite of EV services to businesses, including station maintenance and management, EV fleet solutions, and customized branding options.
3. Greenlots
With industry-leading software and services, Greenlots equips drivers, site hosts and network operators to efficiently deploy, manage, and leverage EV charging infrastructure at scale. From EVSE management, to integrated charging optimization, grid balancing services and a driver-friendly mobile app, the company’s solutions are designed to help people get where they need to go in a safer, cleaner, smarter way.
In addition to providing EV charging station equipment and software, Greenlots also helps customers maximize the use of their stations with its comprehensive EV charging business intelligence and reporting. Through a combination of the company’s SKY Enterprise network management software and intelligent hardware, it can help businesses, government agencies, and other organizations to reduce energy costs, improve sustainability, and support their local economies and communities.
For example, Greenlots has partnered with EVSE LLC to install and operate a workplace EV charging pilot for Southern California Edison (SCE). This program will provide employees with the opportunity to charge their electric vehicles on fee-based charging at SCE work facilities as part of a consumer behavior study to test demand response. The pilot will use Greenlots’ best ev charging stations and payment kiosks, which are integrated with its SKY OCPP system and SCE’s demand response platform.
The company has also recently expanded its reach in the US by partnering with FLO to offer its EV charging network across North America. This means that FLO users can now access Greenlots’ 2,250 Level 2 and 383 DC fast chargers via the FLO smartphone app, along with the EV Connect network and other networks operated by BC Hydro, eCharge Network, and Electric Circuit.
National Car Charging sells and installs the ChargePoint CT4000 series, which is the #1 selling commercial EV charging station in the US. Featuring features such as cord management, an interactive video screen, multiple pricing schemes for different driver groups, waitlist, and more, the EV chargers are ideal for workplaces, apartment complexes, condos, and other sites. To start charging, simply place the RFID card in front of the EV charger reader and the session will begin.
4. Electrify America
Electrify America is one of the largest DC fast charging networks in the country. It has more than 500 stations across the country, and its app helps drivers locate chargers and manage their sessions. It’s also compatible with Plug&Charge, a system that simplifies the EV driver experience by using advanced vehicle-to-grid communication technology and encryption to ensure that only authorized users can charge at any Electrify America station.
The Electrify America app includes several features that benefit EV owners, including a clean and functional map of its stations and the ability to plan a trip that works with your car’s range and current battery state. The app also lets you track your usage and billing history and set up payment preferences.
The company has also introduced power level pricing, which adjusts charging rates by the minute based on the maximum charging capability of the vehicle and the location of the charger. These new features are designed to make it easier for EV drivers to travel longer distances and charge faster.
If you’re interested in a residential charging station, consider the HomeStation from Electrify America. This 2nd-generation device is rated to withstand outdoor weather conditions and comes with a 25-foot cord that should easily reach your driveway. It also includes a smart-charging port that can adjust to the optimal charging output for your EV, and it supports the CHAdeMO and CCS connectors.
You’ll want to choose a charger with an output rating of 30 amps or higher to get the most mileage out of your drive. A 30-amp model can provide a full charge in about an hour. If you’re planning to use your EV for longer trips, a 40-amp station will give you more range per charging session.
5. Tesla
Electric vehicles (EVs) are no ordinary cars, and they need an equally extraordinary power source to make them go. That’s where charging stations come in: EV charging stations, also called EVSE ports or EV chargers, provide electricity to power an electric car just as a gas pump powers a fuel-based one.
With more states and companies investing in EV charging infrastructure, there are a wide variety of EV charging stations to choose from. These stations can be found in public spaces like parking garages, shopping centers, and hotels, or they may be located at home, in workplaces, or at community facilities like libraries. The best EV charging stations are reliable, well-located, safe, and compatible with your EV.
The most popular EV charging station brands are ChargePoint and Electrify America. Both operate the largest public EV charging networks in the United States, though not all of their stations are DC fast charging locations. Instead, they offer Level 2 charging, which is the same rate you might get out of a 240-volt charger at your home.
Electrify America, on the other hand, offers DC fast charging at some of its stations. These stations are open to all EVs that use a CCS charging connection, including Tesla models, which still use their proprietary plug in the US.
In 2023, Electrify America will launch its Alexa-enabled EVgo app that lets drivers find and use charging stations. It will also enable users to view live utility pricing, so they can optimize their charging schedule to take advantage of off-peak rates.
