Short answer: the U.S. passed 250,000 public charging ports at more than 80,000 locations in June 2026, including about 74,000 DC fast-charging ports, according to Department of Energy data reported by EV Infrastructure News. Fast charging typically costs 35-50 cents per kWh, about 11-18 cents per mile: still usually cheaper than gas, but 3-4 times the cost of charging at home.
The two kinds of public chargers
| Public Level 2 | DC fast charging | |
|---|---|---|
| Share of U.S. public ports | nearly 80% | over 20% |
| Speed | about 25 miles of range per hour | 100-200+ miles in about 30 minutes |
| Best for | Workplaces, hotels, shopping, overnight | Road trips, quick top-ups |
| Typical price | Often free to moderate; varies by host | About 35-50¢ per kWh |
Port shares and speeds from the AFDC; prices from Recharged’s 2026 benchmarks.
Cost per mile compared
| Fuel | Price | Cost per mile |
|---|---|---|
| Home charging | 13-20¢/kWh | about 3-6¢ |
| Public DC fast charging | 35-50¢/kWh | about 11-18¢ |
| Gas car, 30 mpg | $3.75/gallon | about 12.5¢ |
If you rely only on fast chargers, an EV can cost about as much per mile as an efficient gas car. That’s why home or workplace charging matters so much; see home charging costs and charging when you live in an apartment.
The big networks
- Tesla Superchargers: the largest fast-charging network, about 38,000 ports, many now open to other brands with the NACS (J3400) connector or an adapter.
- ChargePoint: the largest Level 2 network, over 76,000 plugs.
- Newer fast-charging networks such as Ionna and Rivian’s Adventure Network are expanding quickly.
Counts as of mid-2026 per EV Infrastructure News. Use the DOE’s free station locator or your car’s navigation to find stations.
How you pay
- Per kWh (most common), sometimes with idle fees after charging finishes.
- Per minute in some places, which favors cars that charge fast.
- Memberships that lower the per-kWh price for frequent users.
- Plug and Charge on some cars and networks: plug in and billing happens automatically.
Charging etiquette
- Move your car when charging is done; idle fees often apply.
- On fast chargers, stop around 80% when others are waiting. Charging slows a lot above that.
- Don’t park in a charging spot unless you’re charging.
- Report broken chargers in the network app.
- Coil the cable neatly and keep connectors off the ground.
FAQ
Do I need many apps? Often one or two plus your car’s built-in app. Many stations also accept credit cards.
Is free Level 2 charging worth using? Yes, at work or while shopping, if it’s convenient. Just follow the etiquette above.