As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to grow in popularity around the world, public EV charging has quickly become an essential part of modern transportation. Whether you’re taking a long-distance road trip, shopping at a mall, staying overnight at a hotel, or simply topping up your battery while running errands, understanding how to properly use public EV chargers can help you drive with confidence.
Today’s charging infrastructure is expanding rapidly, with governments and private companies installing thousands of new Level 2 AC chargers and high-speed DC fast chargers each year. While home charging remains the most convenient option for many EV owners, public chargers are critical for drivers who cannot install home charging equipment or who frequently travel beyond the range of their daily commute.
This article provides a clear, detailed, and practical guide on how to use public EV charging stations. We explain the different types of public chargers, their charging speeds, how to locate them, and how to safely begin and end a charging session. Whether you're a new EV owner or simply exploring the idea of going electric, this guide will help you navigate the public charging landscape with ease.
Destination chargers are among the most common types of public EV charging stations. They are strategically installed in locations where vehicles tend to remain parked for an extended period—usually between one hour and several hours. These chargers are designed for convenience rather than speed, providing a steady and reliable way to recharge while you enjoy your daily activities.
Destination chargers are primarily located in places such as:
Hotel parking lots
Shopping centers and retail parking structures
Airports and transportation hubs
National parks, recreational facilities, and tourist attractions
Residential neighborhoods with limited home charging access
Restaurants, cafes, and entertainment venues
Office buildings and workplace parking areas
These chargers allow EV drivers to plug in while staying overnight, shopping for groceries, enjoying a meal, sightseeing, or working for several hours.
Destination chargers use AC (alternating current) electricity and fall under the category of Level 2 charging, offering power outputs typically between 3.7kW and 22kW. Depending on the charger’s power rating and your vehicle’s onboard charger capacity, they can add anywhere from 8 to 50 miles of range per hour.
Most destination chargers use a universal charging socket. In North America, this is normally the J1772 connector; in Europe, the Type 2 connector is standard. The universal design allows drivers to bring their own charging cable and connect easily to the station.
Destination chargers come in many different shapes, sizes, and mounting styles. Common configurations include:
Wall-mounted units near parking spaces
Free-standing pedestal chargers
Bollard-style chargers commonly used in commercial areas
Lamp-post mounted chargers, increasingly popular in dense urban neighborhoods
These designs blend functionality with convenience, allowing cities and businesses to install chargers with minimal impact on existing infrastructure.
Unlike destination chargers, on-the-road chargers—also known as rapid chargers or DC fast chargers—are built for speed. They are essential for long-distance travel, enabling drivers to recharge quickly and continue their journey without lengthy delays.
DC fast chargers are usually found in high-traffic locations such as:
Highway rest stops and service plazas
Major shopping centers and outlet malls
Large gas stations and convenience store chains
Urban fast-charging hubs
Transportation corridors and logistics centers
These chargers provide a convenient solution for road trips and intercity travel, dramatically reducing charging time compared to Level 2 stations.
On-the-road chargers offer significantly more power than AC destination chargers. Typical power ratings include:
50kW DC Fast Chargers — Common first-generation rapid charging
100kW–150kW Ultra-Rapid Chargers — Found on major highway networks
200kW–400kW High-Power Chargers (HPC) — The fastest chargers currently available
Charging time depends on several factors:
The charger’s output power
The EV’s maximum charging acceptance rate
The battery’s size and chemical composition
The battery’s current state of charge
Most EV drivers spend 15 to 30 minutes at a modern DC fast charger, enough to bring the battery from 10% to 80%—the optimal range for efficient charging.
DC fast chargers are larger than destination chargers due to:
Cooling systems required for high-voltage power
Multiple charging ports (CCS, CHAdeMO, or Tesla/NACS)
Integrated power modules and control equipment
Many fast-charging hubs resemble small fueling stations, with covered stalls, bright lighting, multiple chargers, and dedicated parking spaces.
Using a public EV charging station is straightforward once you understand the basic steps. While different networks may have slightly different procedures, the overall process remains similar. Below is a clear, step-by-step guide to using public charging stations confidently and effectively.
The first step is to find a charger that suits your vehicle’s needs. Most EV drivers use smartphone apps or onboard navigation to locate nearby available charging stations.
Popular apps and navigation tools include:
ChargePoint
EVgo
Electrify America
Blink Charging
FLO
PlugShare
Google Maps
Apple Maps
Tesla charging map (for Tesla vehicles)
These tools show:
Charger type (Level 2 or DC fast charger)
Real-time availability
Charging speed and power output
Connector types (CCS, J1772, CHAdeMO, Tesla/NACS)
Pricing (per kWh, per minute, or session fee)
Operating hours
User reviews and photos
Many EV drivers plan road trips with apps such as A Better Routeplanner (ABRP), which estimates charging stops, travel time, and energy consumption.
Before starting your charging session, always verify which connector types the station supports. The most common connector standards include:
Used for Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging
Standard for nearly all non-Tesla EVs in North America
Requires the driver’s own cable at many AC charging units
The dominant connector for DC fast charging
Compatible with most EVs from Ford, GM, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Kia, and many others
Becoming the universal fast-charging standard
Older standard used mainly by early Nissan LEAF models
Being phased out and less common on new chargers
Standard on all Tesla vehicles
Widely adopted by major automakers beginning 2024–2025
Becoming the future universal connector in North America
Many public stations now provide NACS plugs or adapters
If you’re unsure which connector your EV uses, check your vehicle manual or the charging port door.
Once you arrive at the charging station:
Park your vehicle so that the charging port is close to the charger.
Turn off the engine and place your vehicle in park.
Open your vehicle’s charging port door (manually or with the in-car screen/app).
Check that the charger is not damaged. Report any issues using the charging network’s app or customer service hotline.
Some stations have cables that can be heavy, especially high-power DC fast-charging cables equipped with liquid cooling. Handle them carefully.
How you begin charging depends on the type of network. Common activation methods include:
Scan the QR code on the charger or select the station within the network app.
Many frequent EV drivers carry a membership card from ChargePoint, EVgo, or their local provider.
Some stations offer tap-to-pay or swipe options.
Tesla Superchargers automatically authenticate Tesla vehicles; many next-generation chargers also allow “Plug & Charge” authentication for select EVs.
After authentication:
Remove the appropriate connector from the charger holster.
Insert the charging plug firmly into your vehicle’s charging port.
Wait for the charger and vehicle to establish communication.
The charger will lock the connector in place and begin delivering power.
Most stations display session details such as:
Charging speed (kW)
Battery percentage
Charging duration
Energy delivered (kWh)
Estimated cost
While charging, you can:
Relax in your vehicle
Shop or eat nearby
Check the progress on the charger screen
View real-time updates on your smartphone app
Most DC fast chargers automatically taper charging speed once the battery reaches around 80%, to protect battery health. Many EV drivers unplug at this point because charging becomes significantly slower.
When you’re ready to stop charging:
End the session using the app, the charger screen, or your vehicle interface.
Wait for the charger to unlock the connector.
Remove the plug from your vehicle and return it to the charger holster.
Close your charging port door.
Move your vehicle promptly so others can access the charger.
Some networks automatically stop charging when the vehicle reaches 100%.
Use route-planning tools to schedule stops.
Choose stations near amenities for comfort.
Avoid arriving at a charger with less than 10% battery unless necessary.
Don’t occupy a charging stall longer than necessary.
Don’t unplug another vehicle unless the charger indicates it is permitted.
Follow posted rules at the charging site.
Public charging costs vary by:
kWh delivered
Time connected
Peak hour usage
Membership discounts
Always check the rate before initiating a session.
Cold temperatures slow charging speeds. If traveling in winter:
Precondition your battery before arriving at the charger.
Expect slightly longer charging times.
Public EV charging is becoming more accessible, convenient, and user-friendly than ever before. With thousands of new chargers being installed globally every year—ranging from slow but dependable destination chargers to ultrafast high-power road-trip chargers—drivers have more options than ever to stay powered on the go.
Understanding the different types of chargers, how to locate them, and how to safely operate them ensures a smooth and enjoyable EV ownership experience. With this knowledge, EV drivers can travel confidently, reduce charging anxiety, and enjoy environmentally friendly transportation wherever the road leads.
