Which EV Charging Stations Offer the Lowest Cost per Charge?

The electric vehicle (EV) market is rapidly growing, and many people are starting to consider making the switch to an electric car. However, one of the biggest concerns for EV owners is the cost of charging their vehicle. While many EV owners install charging stations in their homes, there are times when they need to recharge while on the go.

Summary:

This is where public charging stations come in. Not all charging stations are created equal, and some offer better value for money than others. In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at which EV charging stations offer the lowest cost per charge.

The Different Types of EV Charging Stations

Before we dive into which charging stations offer the lowest cost per charge, it’s important to understand the different types of charging stations that are available:

• Level 1 Charging Stations: These are the most basic type of charging stations that you can use to charge your EV. They typically come with your vehicle and plug into a standard 120-volt household outlet. They offer the slowest charge rate and can take up to 24 hours to fully charge your vehicle.
• Level 2 Charging Stations: These are the most common type of charging station that you’ll come across in public places. They offer a faster charging rate than Level 1 chargers and can fully charge an EV in 4-6 hours.
• DC Fast Charging Stations: These are the fastest type of charging stations available and are typically found at rest stops and along highways. They can charge an EV up to 80% in just 30 minutes.

Factors that Affect the Cost per Charge

There are a number of factors that can affect how much you pay for a charge at a public charging station. These include:

• The location of the charging station
• The type of charging station
• The time of day that you charge
• The service subscription that you’re signed up to

Which Charging Stations Offer the Lowest Cost per Charge?

Now that you have a better understanding of the different types of charging stations and the factors that can affect the cost per charge, let’s take a look at which charging stations offer the lowest cost per charge:

ChargePoint

ChargePoint is one of the largest EV charging networks in the world, with over 100,000 charging stations. They offer a range of plans to suit different needs:

• The Pay-as-You-Go plan costs $0.35 per kWh and does not have a subscription fee. This plan is best for those who need to charge occasionally.
• The Home plan costs $5 per month and offers discounted charging rates at $0.30 per kWh. This plan is best for those who primarily charge at home.
• The Plus plan costs $9.99 per month and offers even further discounted charging rates at $0.25 per kWh. This plan is best for those who frequently use public charging stations.

Blink

Blink is another large EV charging network that has over 4,000 charging stations across the United States. They offer two plans:

• The Blink Membership plan costs $1 per month and offers discounted charging rates at $0.03 per minute. This plan is best for those who primarily charge at Blink charging stations.
• The Pay-per-Charge plan charges $0.39 per kWh and does not have a monthly subscription fee. This plan is best for those who need to charge occasionally.

EVgo

EVgo is a popular EV charging network that has over 800 fast charging stations across the United States. They offer a simple pricing structure:

• The Pay-as-You-Go plan costs $0.35 per minute and is best for those who need to charge occasionally.
• The Membership plan costs $7.99 per month and offers discounted charging rates at $0.26 per minute. This plan is best for those who frequently use public charging stations.

Key Takeaways

• Not all charging stations are created equal, and some offer better value for money than others.
• There are three different types of charging stations: Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast Charging Stations.
• The cost per charge can be affected by a number of factors, including the location of the charging station, the type of charging station, and the time of day that you charge.
• ChargePoint, Blink, and EVgo are three popular EV charging networks that offer competitive pricing.
• To get the best value for money, it’s important to choose a plan that suits your charging needs and usage patterns.

In conclusion, finding the lowest cost per charge for your EV can be a challenge, but by choosing the right charging network and plan, you can save yourself a significant amount of money in the long run. Be sure to do your research and choose a charging plan that meets your needs. Happy charging!