Charging Networks
This page outlines SOME of the available charging networks and planning tools you can use to help you figure out how a PHEV or BEV will work for you as well as know what you will use on your road trips. Like gas stations, the number of stations supplied by a network will vary by region and some stations will allow direct credit card access but having the appropriate app and account will be easier in most cases. Also, if you travel a lot, you may want to consider one of the charging plans some networks have that give a lower cost per kWh when you pay a monthly fee.
Search & Planning tools
These two websites/apps and others allow you to see what the charging infrastructure looks like where you live and travel. Use these to research ahead of your EV purchase and to plan your roadtrips after you are the proud owner of your new EV! Make sure to set up your vehicle in the app ahead of time so that it can make suggestions based on the highway range of your vehicle.
 Both of these tools can be displayed on your dashboard via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. You should have these apps and your charging network apps filed in your "EV" folder on your phone!
Plugshare optimizes for looking at where you are now and allows you to quickly filter by charger type and charging network and gives you a lot of details on thiose staiopns. It has a route planner but makes you do a lot of the planning.
Best for detailed exploring.
A Better Routeplanner focuses on being a route planner and creates a route quickly and easily with suggested stations. It does allow you to specify networks to favor or avoid, but this functionality is less of a focus.
Best for just set and go.
Some of the North American Charging Networks
The following are just some of the North American charging networks, please use the search & planning tools to see what else may be available to you in your area on on your planned trips.
The Chargepoint network serves both L2 & L3 charging and it's L2 EVSEs seem to be everywhere! It is largely made up of privately owned stations that are connected to the Chargepoint network.
The Electrify America network is one of the largest non-NACS networks in the US and primarily serves L3 charging with L2 available at just a few stations.
The EVgo network primarily serves L2 & L3 charging and is one of the largest non-NACS networks in the US. EVgo charging map is only available on EVgo app (or use PlugShare)
The Shell Recharge network is growing through expansion and by acquisition. (Volta was recently purchased by Shell Recharge). It has coverage the western and the mid-west US and in several areas in Canada.
The Tesla network services L2 & L3 charging for vehicles with NACS connectors and, at some centers, some CCS vehicles with adapters. (Check with your manufacturer to see if Tesla charging is supported and to get a supported CCS to NACS adapter)
You'll find Blink L3 EVSEs at many dealerships so they may or may not be available for public use. Blink L2 EVSEs are available at many places for public use.
Circuit Electrique
links coming soon (5/22/24)
Electrify Canada
links coming soon (5/22/24)