Which States Have the Most and Least EV Charging Stations in the U.S.?

California leads the U.S. with over 16,000 public EV charging ports, while states like Alaska and North Dakota have fewer than 100. The expansion of charging infrastructure is critical for supporting the growing number of electric vehicles, with the Department of Energy projecting a need for 28 million charging stations by 2030. For prospective EV buyers, understanding the charging landscape in your state is as important as choosing the right model.

How Many Public EV Charging Stations Are Available by State?

The availability of public charging stations varies dramatically across the United States. According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Energy, the top 10 states for public EV charging ports are:

Conversely, the 10 states with the fewest public charging stations highlight significant infrastructure gaps, particularly in more rural regions:

This disparity underscores the importance of checking local infrastructure before purchasing an electric vehicle, especially for those who rely on public charging or plan long-distance travel.

What Are the Different Levels of EV Charging?

Public charging stations offer three primary levels, each with different speeds and use cases. Level 2 charging ports are the most common, with 131,731 available nationwide.

• Level 1 Charging (Trickle Charging): This uses a standard 120-volt household outlet. It is the slowest method, adding about 3-5 miles of range per hour. With only 814 public ports nationwide, it's primarily suited for overnight charging at home.
• Level 2 Charging: This uses a 240-volt circuit, similar to what powers a large home appliance like a clothes dryer. It is the workhorse of public charging, found at offices, shopping centers, and public garages, typically adding 12-80 miles of range per hour.
• DC Fast Charging: This is the quickest option, capable of adding nearly 10 miles of range per minute and charging most EVs to 80% in under 30 minutes. There are 42,065 public DC fast charging ports in the U.S. They are commonly located along major highways for long-distance travel. California also leads in DC fast charger availability with 11,293, followed by Texas (2,641), Florida (2,454), and New York (1,433).

Based on our assessment experience, Level 2 chargers are ideal for destinations where you'll park for several hours, while DC fast chargers are essential for minimizing stop times during road trips.

How Can You Find EV Chargers on a Trip?

Fortunately, several tools make locating charging stations straightforward. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center offers a reliable EV route planner that shows charging stations near a specific address or along a planned route.

Many modern electric vehicles also feature built-in navigation systems that automatically plot a course with necessary charging stops. For broader options, third-party applications like PlugShare, ChargeHub, and A Better Routeplanner are highly effective. These apps allow you to filter by charger level, see real-time availability, and even calculate total trip and charging time based on your specific EV model. These services are accessible via their websites or can be downloaded as smartphone apps.

Before an EV purchase, we recommend using these tools to map your common routes and verify convenient charging access. This proactive step can prevent range anxiety and ensure a smooth ownership experience, particularly if you live in a state with less developed infrastructure.