Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Tens of thousands of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are available in the United States. These charging stations are being installed in key areas throughout the country for public charging and workplace charging as a supplement to residential charging. Most EV owners do the majority of their charging at home.

Find charging stations by location or along a route. Use the Advanced Filters to search for private and planned stations, as well as charging stations to match certain search criteria.

Charging Infrastructure Development

Consumers and fleets considering electric vehicles—which include all-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)—need access to charging stations. For most drivers, this starts with charging at home or at fleet facilities. Charging stations at workplaces and public destinations may help bolster market acceptance by offering more flexible charging opportunities at commonly visited locations. Community leaders can find out more through EV readiness planning, including case studies of ongoing successes. The EVI-X Toolbox offers resources to estimate the charging infrastructure necessary to support typical daily travel in a given state or city, charging infrastructure needs to support long-distance travel (100 miles or more) along highway corridors in a given state or county, and to determine how EV charging will impact electricity demand.

The Combined Charging System (CCS), also known as the SAE J1772 combo, charge port on a vehicle can be used to accept charge with Level 1, Level 2, or DC fast charging equipment.

Charging the growing number of EVs in use requires a robust network of stations for both consumers and fleets. The Alternative Fueling Station Locator allows users to search for public and private charging stations. Quarterly reports on EV charging station trends show the growth of public and private charging and assess the current state of charging infrastructure in the United States. Report new charging stations for inclusion in the Station Locator using the Submit New Station form. Suggest updates to existing charging stations by selecting “Report a change” on the station details page.

Learn more about state electrification planning and funding, including information about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. For information on currently available charging infrastructure models, see the Electric Drive Transportation Association’s GoElectricDrive website and Plug In America's Get Equipped publication, which include information on charging networks and service providers. For a list of ENERGY STAR certified chargers, see the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Product Finder list.

Charging Infrastructure Terminology

The charging infrastructure industry has aligned with a common standard called the Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI) protocol with this hierarchy for charging stations: location, EV charging port, and connector. The Alternative Fuels Data Center and the Station Locator use the following charging infrastructure definitions:

• Station Location: A station location is a site with one or more EV charging ports at the same address. Examples include a parking garage or a mall parking lot.


• EV Charging Port: An EV charging port provides power to charge only one vehicle at a time even though it may have multiple connectors. The unit that houses EV charging ports is sometimes called a charging post, which can have one or more EV charging ports. EV charging ports are also sometimes referred to as electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) ports.


• Connector: A connector is what is plugged into a vehicle to charge it. Multiple connectors and connector types (such as CHAdeMO and CCS) can be available on one EV charging port, but only one vehicle will charge at a time. Connectors are sometimes called plugs.

Charging Equipment

Charging equipment for EVs is classified by the rate at which the batteries are charged. Charging times vary based on how depleted the battery is (i.e., state-of-charge), how much energy it holds (i.e., capacity), the type of battery, the vehicle's internal charger capacity, and the type of charging equipment (e.g., charging level, charger power output, and electrical service specifications). The charging time can range from less than 20 minutes using DC fast chargers to 20 hours or more using Level 1 chargers, depending on these and other factors. When choosing equipment for a specific application, many factors, such as networking, payment capabilities, and operation and maintenance, should be considered.

Increasing available public and private charging equipment requires infrastructure procurement. Learn about how to successfully plan for, procure, and install charging infrastructure.

Once charging infrastructure has been procured and installed, it must be properly operated and maintained. Learn about charging infrastructure operation and maintenance considerations.

Additional Charging Options

Another standard (SAE J3068) was developed in 2018 for higher rates of AC charging using three-phase power, which is common at commercial and industrial locations in the United States. Some components of the standard were adapted from the European three-phase charging standards and specified for North American AC grid voltages and requirements. In the United States, the common three-phase voltages are typically 208/120 V, 480/277 V. The standard targets power levels between 6 kW and 130 kW.

Extreme fast chargers (XFC), such as the SAE DC Level 2 standard, are capable of power outputs of up 350 kW and higher and are rapidly being deployed in the United States light-duty and select medium-duty applications (e.g., for in-route charging of electric buses). XFC will also support long-dwell overnight charging for medium- and heavy-duty vehicle applications. A 2022 report looks at the requirements for charging stations that could support in-route charging for heavy-duty EVs. While XFC are currently available from several charging manufacturers, the U.S. Department of Energy's Vehicle Technologies Office is pursuing research that will bridge the technology gaps associated with implementing XFC networks in the United States. A 2017 report highlights technology gaps at the battery, vehicle, and infrastructure levels. In particular, many EVs on the roads today are not capable of charging at rates higher than 150 kW. However, vehicle technology is advancing, and most new EV models will be able to charge at higher rates, enabling the use of XFC. You can find additional resources on EV charging and advanced charging system research efforts from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. For answers to frequently asked questions about the Megawatt Charging System and SAE J3271, see the fact sheet on Charging for Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks from Argonne National Laboratory.

Inductive Charging

Inductive charging equipment, which uses an electromagnetic field to transfer electricity to an EV without a cord, has been introduced commercially for installation as an aftermarket add-on. Some currently available wireless charging stations operate at power levels comparable to Level 2, though this technology is more common for transit or other fleet operations at higher power levels comparable to DC fast. The U.S. Department of Energy is conducting research to investigate the feasibility of high-powered wireless charging. More information on inductive charging research efforts is available from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

EV charging stations provide a convenient way for drivers to recharge their batteries. But where does the electricity that powers these charging stations come from? This blog will explain how EV chargers work, the most common charging station power sources, and the average cost to charge an EV vehicle in Colorado.  

How Does an EV Charger Work?  

Before we dive into the electricity sources, let’s briefly explain how an EV charger works. Most electric vehicles on the road today use Level 2 chargers, which deliver 240 volts of power. This is 2x the power you’d find in a standard 120 volt.

Level 2 chargers typically come with two options for plugs: the J1772 plug, which is compatible with all EVs currently on the market in North America, and the CHAdeMO plug, which is primarily used by Japanese EVs such as the Nissan Leaf. Some higher-end charging stations also have built-in WiFi capabilities, allowing drivers to start and stop their charging sessions remotely.

When connected to a power source, electricity goes through these plugs and charges the electric vehicle’s battery.

Now that we know how an EV charger works let’s look at the different ways it can be powered. 

The Most Common Charging Station Power Sources

Hardwired Connection to the Electric Grid

The most common charging station source is the electric grid. 

The electric grid is the network of power lines and plants that generate electricity for homes and businesses. 

When a charging station is connected to the grid, it draws electricity from the power lines and converts it into the direct current (DC) needed to charge an EV battery.

One advantage of this setup is that it provides a consistent and reliable source of power, which is essential for drivers who need to charge their vehicles on a regular basis. Another advantage is that it does not require special equipment or permits, as the charger simply taps into the existing electrical infrastructure. 

Solar Panels

The second most common power source for charging stations is on-site solar panels. 

Solar panels are a renewable energy source that generate electricity from sunlight. 

When solar panels are used to power a charging station, the electricity generated is stored in batteries and then converted into DC when a driver needs to charge their vehicle.

Solar panels are becoming an increasingly popular option for powering charging stations because they are environmentally friendly and can help save money on utility bills. However, solar panels can be more expensive to install than grid-connected charging stations, and they may not generate enough electricity to power the station during times of low sunlight.

How Much Does it Cost to Charge an EV in Colorado?

The average cost of electricity in Colorado is $0.12 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), which means it costs about $1.50 to charge a 100-mile EV with a 60 kWh battery. However, the actual cost of charging an EV will vary depending on the power source used and the price of electricity in your area. 

Overall, investing in EV charging increases your bottom line by increasing property value, attracting new customers, increasing employee satisfaction, and saving your business money with incentives and tax credits. Learn more about how EV Charging saves you money in the long run by downloading our free resource, Increasing Your Bottom Line with EV Charging Stations.  

No matter where you live in Colorado, Mac Electric & Lighting can help you find the right solution for powering your EV. We offer a variety of services, including EV charger installation, and our team of experts is always available to answer your questions. Contact us today to get a free quote on an EV charging station and installation.