Learning how to find public charging stations can be one of the most challenging aspects of switching to an electric vehicle (EV). The good news is that the Department of Energy maintains a growing list of EV charging locations in the United States, which includes almost 50,000 stations that offer a total of 124,000 plugs. These stations are run mainly by nine large network operators, each with its own accounts and payment rules.
If you are new to EVs, there's no reason to be intimidated by the different charging networks. The electric vehicle industry offers standard Level 2 charging connectors, and whatever EV you buy will work with any of these plugs.
It's mostly the same with DC fast charging, but there are exceptions. Tesla models, for example, can fast charge using the company's Supercharger network, which is incompatible with EVs from other companies. (Tesla may open its Supercharger network to other EVs in the future.) We've noted other exceptions below, where you will find a list of all EVs available for the 2022 and 2023 model year, along with the charging network providers with which they work.
Since providers often design EV charging networks to work with the largest number of EVs, any model on the following list with "standard connectors" means it can charge at any Level 2 charger or use the widespread DC fast-charging standard called CCS. The only networks listed that don't fit this definition are the Tesla Supercharger Network and the Rivian Adventure Network.
Models listed below as having "standard connectors" can access the following networks:
Audi E-tron and E-tron Sportback, E-tron GT, Q4 E-tron—Standard connectors. Audi offers incentives on the Electrify America network.
BMW i4, iX—Standard connectors. BMW offers incentives on the Electrify America network.
Cadillac Lyriq—Standard connectors. General Motors offers incentives on the EVgo fast-charging network.
Chevrolet Bolt EV, Bolt EUV—Standard connectors. General Motors offers incentives on the EVgo fast-charging network.
Ford F-150 Lightning, Mustang Mach-E—Standard connectors. Ford offers benefits on the Electrify America network. Ford's BlueOval Charge Network simplifies visits to stations from multiple providers, including Electrify America, ChargePoint, EVgo, and others.
Ford E-Transit—Standard connectors. As it is a commercial vehicle, Ford doesn't offer any Electrify America incentives with the E-Transit. However, drivers can still access Ford's BlueOval Charge Network, as with the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E.
Genesis GV60—Standard connectors. Genesis offers incentives on the Electrify America network.
GMC Hummer EV—Standard connectors. GM hasn't announced any charging network operator incentives for the Hummer EV, but the automaker usually works with EVgo.
Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kona Electric—Standard connectors. Hyundai works with Electrify America on charging incentives.
Jaguar I-Pace—Standard connectors. Jaguar does not offer any charging network incentives.
Kia EV6, Niro EV—Standard connectors. The EV6 includes an incentive on the Electrify America network.
Lucid Air—Standard connectors. Lucid offers an incentive on the Electrify America network.
Mazda MX-30 EV—Standard connectors. Mazda offers incentives on the ChargePoint network.
Mercedes-Benz EQB, EQS—Standard connectors. Mercedes offers an incentive on the Electrify America network. A MercedesMe Charge account can simplify charging at "almost" all charging stations in North America.
Mini Cooper SE Electric—Standard connectors. Mini does not offer any charging network incentives.
Nissan Ariya, Leaf—The Ariya will have standard connectors, but the aging Leaf is the only new EV sold in the U.S. that still uses the CHAdeMO fast-charging connector. Some stations on the independent network operators offer CHAdeMO ports, but we recommend double-checking if you plan to head to a station you haven't visited before. Nissan offers charging incentives with EVgo.
Polestar 2—Standard connectors. Polestar offers charging incentives with Electrify America.
Porsche Taycan—Standard connectors. Porsche offers charging incentives with Electrify America. Porsche also provides Porsche Destination Charging at select high-end hotels and other premium locations. All electric Porsches can charge free at these stations.
Rivian R1S, Rivian R1T—Rivian's EVs have standard connectors but can also take advantage of the Rivian Adventure Network, which entails a series of stations built near busy roads and in remote areas. Rivian has not yet fully detailed how its customers will be able to access these stations once more are installed.
Subaru Solterra—Standard connectors. Subaru offers charging incentives with EVgo.
Tesla Model 3, Model S, Model X, Model Y—Tesla uses a proprietary connector that allows the company's electric vehicles to replenish their batteries anywhere on the Tesla Supercharger Network. Tesla includes an adapter with each new car it sells so they can also recharge at standard charging stations.
Toyota bZ4X—Standard connectors. Toyota offers charging incentives at EVgo stations.
VW ID.4—Standard connectors. VW offers charging incentives with Electrify America.
Volvo XC40 Recharge, C40 Recharge—Standard connectors. Volvo offers charging incentives at Electrify America stations.
Most new EVs will work with the majority of charging stations. But there are exceptions. This list can help you figure out where to charge your new EV. If you haven't decided which new EV to buy, you can learn more in our Shopping Guides section.
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© 2022 J.D.Power. All rights reserved.
© 2019 J.D.Power. All rights reserved.