electric vehicle</a> charging stations <a target="_self" rel="follow" data-id="1ef593b7-3674-4f31-b096-08e52a5fb11a" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2024-will-be-the-year-we-figure-out-ev-charging/">are growing</a> and experts believe that will continue to be the case. The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy says of the stations currently available, at least 140,000 are publicly available versus private access such as workplaces. <a target="_self" rel="follow" data-id="7d402377-023f-4c0e-9722-fb2d12d94303" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/best-ev-charger/">Charging your EV</a> is already cheaper than filling a gas tank, but sometimes it's free.</p><p>Public charging stations usually charge by the kilowatt hour or for the amount of time you're plugged in. There are ways you can fuel up your EV at no cost, from manufacturer incentives to ad-driven hookups. But these no-fee charging options are likely to shrink over time. </p><p>"As more and more people are adopting electric vehicles, free charging perks will slowly subside, and it will be a charge for charge," said Grant Gold, director of real estate solutions at <a rel="nofollow" data-id="fe0bfad7-1215-45a5-8978-7015840d7b47" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://www.evconnect.com/">EV Connect</a>.</p><p>Until then, find out how savvy motorists are getting a free charge.</p><shortcode shortcode="image" uuid="8fd1ccca-53fa-4a7e-a9e3-75ff0a729f71" size="large" float="none" lightbox="false" image-do-not-resize="false" image-url="https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/6d0b03c3718b43567f0bbbf0b9ae6826b725b3dc/hub/2024/03/04/8fd1ccca-53fa-4a7e-a9e3-75ff0a729f71/ev-charging.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&height=500" image-caption="<p>According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, public charging has experienced tremendous growth since 2019 and accounting for about 88% of all charging ports. Public charging infrastructure is an important part of EV adoption as it supports long-distance travel those without access to home charging.</p>" image-credit="National Renewable Energy Laboratory" image-alt-text="A chart showing the upward growth of public and private charging ports since 2019" image-filename="ev-charging.png" image-width="820" image-height="615" image-date-created="2024-03-04" image-do-not-crop="true" image-watermark="true" ng-block="{"id":"nd22cxac4m5ppqh","type":"image"}" edition="us"> </shortcode><h2 id="3dbec5a5-a70d-40c2-aca7-01d47029ee24" data-ng-block="{"id":"vgc9j7ahrdwiwsj","type":"heading"}">1. Charge for free while you shop</h2><p>Some larger chain businesses <a rel="follow" data-id="56ae265d-c11d-47e8-ae34-f26cc6970f44" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/12-places-that-offer-ev-charging-while-you-shop/">offer free charging</a> as a customer perk (and to keep you in the store longer). There are no-fee stations at dozens of <a rel="nofollow" data-id="56ae265d-c11d-47e8-ae34-f26cc6970f44" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/volta-and-macys-expand-electric-vehicle-charging-stations-301274453.html#:~:text=NEW%20YORK%2C%20April%2022%2C%202021,at%20dozens%20of%20locations%20nationwide.">Macy's</a> department stores and <a rel="nofollow" data-id="56ae265d-c11d-47e8-ae34-f26cc6970f44" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211117005420/en/Volta-Partnership-With-Cinemark-Theatres-Provides-Electric-Vehicle-Charging-to-Moviegoers">Cinemark movie theaters, for example.</p><p><a rel="nofollow" data-id="c9d86265-def5-47f7-9309-2f9cf0bbb542" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://corporate.kohls.com/news/archive-/2021/april/kohl-s-to-expand-electric-vehicle-charging-stations-for-addition">Kohl's also offers free charging at select locations, as do supermarkets like Fred Meyer, Stop & Shop, Harris Teeter, Kroger, Safeway and Whole Foods.</p><h2 id="c4770aaf-504d-4a5a-90d4-54cd0180c22a" data-ng-block="{"id":"qdxj4ozn1id17ut","type":"heading"}">2. Charge for free while checked in at a hotel</h2><p>A number of hotels and inns offer free EV charging for guests, including select Marriott and Hilton locations. Tesla and owners of other EVs can also charge their vehicles for free when they stay or eat at <a rel="nofollow" data-id="2151e5d8-b914-40fb-9b7c-0d196d602a2d" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/partner/tesla">Radisson hotels</a>.</p><p>The software of the charging station "allows the site host to control the pricing," Gold says. "The hotel will have the option to use it as an incentive to attract guests or they can charge what they want on an individual basis."</p><p>Check ahead before making a reservation, or visit charging map services such as <a rel="nofollow" data-id="39315237-46bc-40be-b5b1-edd929342dbe" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://www.plugshare.com/map/free-ev-stations">PlugShare, <a rel="nofollow" data-id="39315237-46bc-40be-b5b1-edd929342dbe" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://chargefinder.com/en">ChargeFinder or <a rel="nofollow" data-id="39315237-46bc-40be-b5b1-edd929342dbe" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://chargehub.com/en/charging-stations-map.html">ChargeHub to view the status of area stations.</p><h2 id="a5b8ccf9-5852-415b-a9aa-e3404b4f80a5" data-ng-block="{"id":"2om7bdn4bih62uq","type":"heading"}">3. Charge for free while attending school</h2><p>Many colleges have EV charging on campus. Some make it free for students, professors and staff and, on some campuses, even visitors.</p><p><a rel="nofollow" data-id="e052be3d-30f0-4906-a970-e7ccdf6490d9" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://www.scu.edu/sustainability/operations/transportation/">Santa Clara University</a>, the <a rel="nofollow" data-id="e052be3d-30f0-4906-a970-e7ccdf6490d9" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://sustainable.ufl.edu/campus-initiatives/transportation/electric-vehicles-information-for-ev-drivers/">University of Florida</a> and the <a rel="nofollow" data-id="e052be3d-30f0-4906-a970-e7ccdf6490d9" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://www.ou.edu/sustainability/campus-efforts/alternative-transportation#:~:text=The%20University%20offers%20parking%20permit,the%20Timberdell%20Road%20Parking%20Facility.">University of Buffalo</a>, for example, all provide free charging <a rel="nofollow" data-id="e052be3d-30f0-4906-a970-e7ccdf6490d9" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://www.chargepoint.com/blog/11-college-campuses-wander-while-charging-your-ev">in partnership with ChargePoint</a>.</p><p>Typically, there are restrictions: The University of Florida, for example, enforces a four-hour time limit, and you must have a university parking sticker if you're charging before 4:30 p.m. </p><h2 id="46db3806-564d-4bd4-8c7e-9c604731bc39" data-ng-block="{"id":"gy98dt60lxgfeuj","type":"heading"}">4. Charge for free while visiting a national park</h2><p>There are more than 140 chargers available across 23 parks and campgrounds nationwide, <a rel="nofollow" data-id="f033ff48-883d-409b-8c63-98c4dd9ae93d" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://koa.com/blog/which-national-parks-have-ev-charging-stations/">according to Kampgrounds of America</a>. Some are free, including <a rel="nofollow" data-id="f033ff48-883d-409b-8c63-98c4dd9ae93d" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/news/the-oasis-at-death-valley-offers-free-electric-vehicle-charging.htm">six Level 2 charging stations</a> at the Oasis at Death Valley in California, which are powered by the resort's onsite solar field.</p><p>Rivian <a rel="nofollow" data-id="3e55aa3c-251f-4540-9ce8-80b294132203" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://electrek.co/2022/01/13/rivian-will-sponsor-dozens-of-free-public-chargers-in-national-parks-for-nonprofit-adopt-a-charger/">sponsors dozens of Waypoint chargers</a> at California's Yosemite National Park and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. In a partnership with Adopt a Charger, the EV automaker is set to fund 10 years of operation and maintenance costs for both.</p><p>In January 2022, Rivian announced plans to install 10,000 more Waypoint chargers across the US and Canada by the end of 2023, including in the majority of Tennessee and Colorado state parks.</p><p>You can find a <a rel="nofollow" data-id="98080950-2372-4ea0-adcf-6db96d2f3c2e" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sustainability/electric-vehicle-charging-map.htm#/station/204476">map of EV charging stations</a> in the National Park System.</p><h2 id="035d32a4-be54-4d01-a33d-5e06c8b52060" data-ng-block="{"id":"2rx3s27h0yoajx9","type":"heading"}">5. Charge for free while watching a commercial</h2><p>There are more than 3,600 <a rel="nofollow" data-id="65256de3-f9ec-4d4e-88cf-0c7bade8bf79" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://voltacharging.com/">Volta charging stalls</a> across 35 US states and territories, mostly in shopping malls, stadiums, amusement parks and hospitals in major cities. </p><p><a rel="follow" data-id="36335685-6494-4c57-9cde-c0b63631cd8a" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/volta-free-electric-car-charging-ev/">Volta was acquired by Shell in 2023 and uses an ad-supported model, meaning you'll be exposed to a host of ads at the charging station. But, Volta offers EV drivers access to Level 2 charging for 30 minutes for free -- which equals about 35 miles of range. You can <a rel="nofollow" data-id="36335685-6494-4c57-9cde-c0b63631cd8a" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://apps.apple.com/us/app/volta-charging/id1000230545">download the Volta Charging app</a> to find a station nearest you.</p><shortcode shortcode="image" uuid="c0ecf2fb-98d9-4088-850e-37dc9576e92d" size="large" float="none" lightbox="false" image-do-not-resize="false" image-url="https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/0235712edb6a308de530d42d49e9cfd3e0500f7c/hub/2023/06/21/c0ecf2fb-98d9-4088-850e-37dc9576e92d/volta-charging-100872332-h.jpg?auto=webp&height=500" image-caption="<p></p>" image-credit="Volta" image-alt-text="An ad-sponsored volta charging station" image-filename="volta-charging-100872332-h.jpg" image-width="1920" image-height="1280" image-date-created="2023-06-21" image-do-not-crop="true" image-watermark="true" ng-block="{"id":"45kmmyqgom4iubw","type":"image"}" edition="us"> </shortcode><h2 id="283376ac-3f50-4dc6-81ba-e0d0df0a0aee" data-ng-block="{"id":"95eetpzejy3866k","type":"heading"}">6. Get in on manufacturer incentives</h2><p>Many automakers offer free charging packages to attract new customers. Tesla no longer provides unlimited free Supercharging with new models, but it often offers complimentary charging promotions to boost sales, like <a rel="nofollow" data-id="173625e1-1add-4e21-8089-295b19d889fc" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://electrek.co/2023/06/17/tesla-discounts-model-s-x-8000-3-years-of-free-supercharging/">at the end of a quarter</a>.</p><shortcode id="33c04c6a-51a6-4824-b648-d7b18c2470f0" shortcode="chart" type="GeekboxChart" chart-description="undefined" chart="{"chart":[["<strong>Model</strong>","<strong>Offer</strong>","<strong>Network</strong>"],["2024 Audi e-tron Q8, SQ8, GT/RS and Sportback versions","Free unlimited DC charging for two years","Electrify America"],["2023 Audi Q4 e-tron, e-tron and etron S and Sportback versions","250 kWh of free charging for two years","Electrify America"],["2023 Audi e-tron GT/RS and GT","Free unlimited charging for three years","Electrify America"],["BMW i4 and iX","Free unlimited DC charging for the first 30 minutes for two years","Electrify America"],["BMW i7","Free unlimited DC charging for three years","Electrify America"],["Cadillac Lyriq","Free charging for two years if buyer doesn't choose a home installation credit","EVgo"],["Chevrolet Bolt and Bolt EUV","$500 credit to use at any EVgo charging station if buyer doesn't choose a home installation credit","EVgo"],["Ford F-150 Lightning","250 kWh of free charging","Electrify America"],["Ford Mustang Mach-E","250 kWh of free charging","Electrify America"],["Genesis Electrified G80, GV70 and GV60","Free unlimited DC charging for the first 30 minutes or Level 2 charging for the first 60 minutes for three years.","Electrify America"],["Honda Prologue","Up to $750 EVgo credit if buyer doesn't choose installation credit, plus 60 kWh Electrify America charge allowance","EVgo, Electrify America"],["Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6","Free unlimited DC charging for the first 30 minutes for two years.","Electrify America"],["Hyundai Kona Electric","250 kWh of free charging","Electrify America"],["Kia EV6 and EV9","1,000 kWh of free charging for three years","Electrify America"],["Kia Niro EV","500 kWh of free charging for three years","Electrify America"],["Mercedes-Benz EQB, EQE, EQE SUV, EQS and EQS SUV","Free unlimited DC charging for the first 30 minutes for two years.","Electrify America"],["Nissan Ariya","Free unlimited DC charging for one year","EVgo"],["Porsche Taycan","Free unlimited DC charging for the first 30 minutes, or 60 minutes for regular charging, for three years.","Electrify America"],["Subaru Solterra","$400 credit to use at any EVgo charging station if buyer doesn't choose installation credit","EVgo"],["Toyota bZ4X","Free unlimited DC charging for one year at any EVgo station","EVgo"],["Volkswagen ID.4","Free unlimited DC charging for the first 30 minutes for three years.","Electrify America"],["Volvo C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge","250 kWh of free charging for three years, plus a 12-month Electrify America Pass+ membership","Electrify America"]],"chartName":"EV manufacturer incentives","headingRows":""}" can-collapse="true" collapse-on-page-load="true" can-truncate="true" truncate-on-page-load="true" ng-block="{"id":"chlrwjh5mw61h85","type":"geekbox"}" edition="us"> </shortcode><h2 id="6a19b67d-1319-4003-8a54-0014635c390a" data-ng-block="{"id":"29vcgjynn5lpww6","type":"heading"}">7. Search for free charging on a charging map </h2><p>In addition to the options cited above, there are hundreds of libraries, museums, government offices, nonprofits and private businesses that offer free EV charging. </p><p>Charging map services such as <a rel="nofollow" data-id="bb2230ad-4532-4617-9dba-c41f04010ca9" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://www.plugshare.com/map/free-ev-stations">PlugShare, <a rel="nofollow" data-id="bb2230ad-4532-4617-9dba-c41f04010ca9" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://chargefinder.com/en">ChargeFinder or <a rel="nofollow" data-id="bb2230ad-4532-4617-9dba-c41f04010ca9" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://chargehub.com/en/charging-stations-map.html">ChargeHub show stations across the country, with a setting for free chargers. Just go to the filters and find the option for free charging.</p><p>You can also get information on how many minutes you can charge, at what level, the status of the station and more.</p><p>Since much of this info is primarily crowdsourced, you may want to double-check its accuracy. </p><shortcode shortcode="image" uuid="faf14716-f4f1-47e4-b8d7-ad150bbfe39f" size="large" float="none" lightbox="false" image-do-not-resize="false" image-url="https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/63b77a236fd655e57600ae694ff7667fee446571/hub/2023/06/21/faf14716-f4f1-47e4-b8d7-ad150bbfe39f/screen-shot-2023-06-20-at-12-42-56-pm.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&height=500" image-caption="<p></p>" image-credit="PlugShare" image-alt-text="PlugShare map of EV charging stations in the US" image-filename="screen-shot-2023-06-20-at-12-42-56-pm.png" image-width="2880" image-height="1192" image-date-created="2023-06-21" image-do-not-crop="true" image-watermark="true" ng-block="{"id":"xa9desvowqupyc2","type":"image"}" edition="us"> </shortcode><p><strong>Read on: </strong><a rel="follow" data-id="42c433ac-d8b8-43b7-a953-4f274a8d2295" href=https://www.cnet.com/home/electric-vehicles/7-free-and-easy-ways-you-can-charge-your-ev/"https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/12-places-that-offer-ev-charging-while-you-shop/">12 Places That Offer EV Charging While You Shop<br> <br> </a> </p>" class="c-energyAuthorInfo sm:u-col-2 md:u-col-6 lg:u-col-6 lg:u-col-start-2 g-border-thin-light-top">
Stephen J. Bronner Contributor
Stephen J. Bronner is a New York-based freelance writer, editor and reporter. Over his more than a decade in journalism, he has written about energy, local politics and schools, startup success tips, the packaged food industry, the science of work, personal finance and blockchain. His bylined work has appeared in Inverse, Kotaku, Entrepreneur, NextAdvisor and CNET, and op-eds written on behalf of his clients were published in Forbes, HR Dive, Fast Company, NASDAQ and MarketWatch. Stephen previously served as contributors editor and news editor for Entrepreneur.com, and was the VP, Content and Strategy, at Ditto PR. He enjoys video games and punk rock. See some of his work at stephenjbronner.com.
Expertise Energy | Local politics and Schools | Startup Success Tips | the Packaged Food Industry | the Science of Work | Personal Finance | Blockchain Credentials - 2013 Media Award Winner Issued by Press Club Long Island
Stephen J. Bronner is a New York-based freelance writer, editor and reporter. Over his more than a decade in journalism, he has written about energy, local politics and schools, startup success tips, the packaged food industry, the science of work, personal finance and blockchain. His bylined work has appeared in Inverse, Kotaku, Entrepreneur, NextAdvisor and CNET, and op-eds written on behalf of his clients were published in Forbes, HR Dive, Fast Company, NASDAQ and MarketWatch. Stephen previously served as contributors editor and news editor for Entrepreneur.com, and was the VP, Content and Strategy, at Ditto PR. He enjoys video games and punk rock. See some of his work at stephenjbronner.com.