On Wednesday, the White House announced that Tesla would make its charging network accessible to all drivers, marking a significant move towards a reliable, fast charging network for electric vehicles across America. As road-trip-loving Americans are reassured that they can travel long distances in their electric vehicles, the existing charging network, which previously only served Tesla drivers, will now stretch from Southern California to the rural areas of Maine, covering busy interstates, quiet highways, and city centers.
The White House has revealed the news in the push for nationwide EV charging accessibility. In an unprecedented move, Tesla has announced that it will open up its proprietary charging network to all-electric vehicles, allowing car enthusiasts across the US to travel longer distances without the stress of range. This follows the Biden administration’s advocacy for the development of a 500,000-strong network of EV chargers, with 7,500 of Tesla’s existing charging stations being made available to all EV drivers by the end of 2024.
To promote accessibility, new rules will require chargers to have consistent plug types, 97% reliability, and a universal identification method for drivers. Owing to Tesla’s existing network of fast “Superchargers” found in locations from Miami to Jackson Hole, the US is on track to realize its ambition of a fully-functional, comprehensive charging network that covers even the most remote stretches of the country.
Tesla’s Charging Network Charges Ahead: Dominates US EV Infrastructure with Over High-Powered Stations and Ports
With more than 1,700 “DC fast” charging stations hosting over 17,700 individual charging ports, Tesla’s charging network dominates the EV landscape in the United States. These high-powered chargers can quickly fuel up an EV battery up to 80 percent in as little as 20 minutes to an hour. Moreover, Tesla’s charging infrastructure is double the size of the nearest competitor, Electrify America, accounting for 25% of all fast-charging stations and over 50% of all individual fast charging ports in the country.
The opening of the network to non-Tesla vehicles is a step in the right direction. Still, it commits to opening up 3,500 fast chargers, leaving room for the company to maintain proprietary control over the network. Thus, other car manufacturers and companies are also investing in the charging business, with Hertz, BP, General Motors, EVgo, and Ford all working on building their own fast charging networks.
Which New Electric Vehicles Come with Free Charging?
As the electric vehicle market continues to grow, automakers are vying for the attention of potential buyers by offering enticing incentives, such as free public charging. From a few complimentary charges to years of free fuel, these deals can significantly impact the overall satisfaction of plug-in owners. And while home charging is the most convenient and cost-effective method, public charging can be a necessary option for longer trips.
The king of the public DC fast-charging scene is Electrify America, backed by Volkswagen as part of its diesel emissions settlement, with an emphasis on locations along major travel routes. However, it’s worth noting that these offers are subject to change and are not guaranteed to be available indefinitely, as early Tesla owners who once enjoyed free charging can attest. So, if you’re in the market for an electric vehicle, be sure to take advantage of these deals while they last.
Some of the free charging offers available for new electric vehicles in the US include:
2022 Audi E-Tron GT
- Charging Network: Electrify America
- Charging Offer: Get ready to experience the fast lane with the new Audi E-Tron GT! The electric vehicle comes with an exciting offer of unlimited DC fast charging for three years, which is significantly more than what’s available for other E-Tron models.
2022 Audi E-Tron and Q4 E-Tron
- Charging Network: Electrify America
- Charging Offer: 250 kWh of charging for use within two years.
2022 BMW i4 Gran Coupe and iX
- Charging Network: Electrify America
- Charging Offer: Unlimited DC fast charging for up to 30 minutes per charging session for two years.
2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV
- Charging Network: EVgo
- Charging Offer: You can get a $500 charging credit at EVgo and up to $1,250 for home charging installation with a Qmerit electrician
2021-22 Ford Mustang Mach-E and 2022 F-150 Lightning
- Charging Network: Electrify America
- Charging Offer: 250 kWh of charging for use within two years.
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Charging Network: Electrify America
- Charging Offer: Unlimited DC fast charging for 30 minutes per charging session for two years.
2022 Kia EV6
- Charging Network: Electrify America
- Charging Offer: Kia offers 1,000 kWh of complimentary charging, valued at around 4,000 miles of driving for the most efficient version of its EVs, usable within three years of purchase.
2022 Hyundai Kona Electric and 2021 Ioniq Electric
- Charging Network: Electrify America
- Charging Offer: Hyundai is offering 250 kilowatt-hours of complimentary charging, enough to drive about 1,000 miles, to buyers of its Kona Electric and Ioniq Electric (discontinued after 2021) models, for use within three years of purchase.
2022 Volkswagen ID.4
- Charging Network: Electrify America
- Charging Offer: Unlimited DC fast charging for 30 minutes per charging session for three years.
2022 Volvo C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge
- Charging Network: Electrify America
- Charging Offer: Charge up with 250 kWh of free energy for up to three years! And that’s not all: you also get a one-year subscription to Electrify America Pass Plus, which gives you discounted charging on the network
2022 Porsche Taycan and Taycan Cross Turismo
- Charging Network: Electrify America
- Charging Offer: Drive and charge without limits. With this offer, you will get three years of unlimited fast charging for 30 minutes per session or slower AC charging for 60 minutes per session.
2022 Rivian R1T and R1S
Charging Network: Rivian is taking charging infrastructure to the next level by creating two exclusive charging networks. The Rivian Adventure Network is designed specifically for Rivian owners and will offer over 3,500 DC fast chargers at approximately 600 locations along major travel routes. Meanwhile, the Waypoints network of Level 2 chargers will be open to the public, with over 10,000 chargers planned for deployment. The ambitious project is slated to be completed by the end of 2023, allowing Rivian owners and other electric vehicle drivers to explore the country with greater ease and convenience.
- Charging Offer: While the specifics are still in the works, Rivian offers a membership package that includes various benefits, including unlimited complimentary charging at Rivian charging stations under the current “beta” terms and conditions. Those who purchase a Rivian vehicle will receive a one-year trial membership with the plan, after which a fee will be determined.
2022 Mazda MX-30
- Charging Network: ChargePoint
- Charging Offer: A $500 credit for fuel at ChargePoint charging stations or to use toward buying a ChargePoint Home Flex charger.
2022 Lucid Air
- Charging Network: Electrify America
- Charging Offer: Unlimited DC fast charging for three years for buyers who place their reservation for an Air by June 30, 2022.
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS, 2022 EQB and 2023 EQE
- Charging Network: Electrify America
- Charging Offer: Mercedes me Charge network unlocks unlimited 30-minute DC fast charging for 2 years with Electrify America.
2022 Nissan Leaf
- Charging Network: EVgo
- Charging Offer: A $250 credit for use at EVgo charging stations within one year of purchase.
2021-22 Polestar 2
- Charging Network: Electrify America
- Charging Offer: Unlimited DC fast charging for 30 minutes per charging session for two years.
2023 Nissan Ariya
- Charging Network: EVgo
- Charging Offer: Free 2-year EVgo network membership and $500 station credit for first 10,000 bookings before Jan. 31, 2022. That’s enough juice to take you 5,000 miles on the EVgo network!
2023 Toyota bZ4X
- Charging Network: EVgo
- Charging Offer: Unlimited DC fast charging for one year.
