Charging an electric car in the United States

The networks

The United States has the largest fast charging network in the world in Tesla's Superchargers, and a growing set of others, with federal money building chargers along the interstates.

• Tesla Superchargers cover every interstate and most highways, and are opening to other cars with a NACS port or adapter.
• Electrify America, EVgo and ChargePoint run the largest non Tesla fast networks, at retail sites and along highways.
• Fuel and retail brands, such as Pilot, Buc-ee's and Walmart, are adding ultra fast sites, and Ionna is the carmakers' joint network.
• State programs under the federal highway funding have filled gaps every 50 miles on designated corridors.

Plugs

In transition. Teslas use NACS; most other cars sold before 2025 have CCS1 for fast charging and J1772 (Type 1) for AC. New cars from most makers are moving to NACS, and adapters run both ways. Many networks now fit both plugs. See NACS and CCS1 and Type 1.

Paying

Apps for each network, with Tesla billing a Tesla account. Bank card readers are common on newer units and on federally funded sites, which must have them. Plug and charge is spreading: several car brands and networks bill the car's account automatically.

Long drives

Interstates are well covered, and the gaps are in the mountain west, the plains and the north of the country, where a stop every 150 miles may be the only one. Speeds are high and distances long, so use your highway range and a bigger reserve where the map is empty. The planner prints American plans in miles and plans on CCS1 and NACS; tick what your car takes.

Find chargers

Every public site ChargeAlong knows about in United States is on the United States page, by state or region and town, with its plugs, its power and what drivers have said. For a long drive, the trip planner picks the stops for your car. And the road trip guide is what to do when you get to one.