Charging Your Electric Car for Free Just Takes a Little Bit of Planning

Save yourself on EV charging station fees by following these tips from the car ownership experts at Jerry. 
Written by Allison Stone
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Even with charging fees, charging an
electric car
at a public
charging station
costs just a fraction of what you’d pay at the gas pump. Still, those charging station fees can start to add up, and nobody wants to waste money when they don’t have to. 
Most EV-owners charge up overnight at home, but when the inevitable happens and you end up searching for a public station to refuel, there are a few tips you can follow to charge up for free every time. 
Read along with the car ownership experts at Jerry to learn all about saving, from avoiding charging station fees to getting a great deal on your car insurance plan. 

Finding free charging stations

According to
Kelley Blue Book
, the key to saving on public charging is to scope out the free charging stations near you. Thankfully, all it takes to find them is a few clicks on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. 
Apps like the PlugShare app will not only show you all of the nearby charging stations, regardless of brand, but users can also filter based on certain criteria. Not only that, but PlugShare is updated in real-time by other app users, meaning you can get timely updates on station availability, busy charging times, and user reviews. 
ChargePoint is another smartphone app that can help you find free charging stations, and cross-referencing across several apps can keep you up to date with the most relevant new information. 
Along with being able to filter to find free charging spots, apps like ChargePoint, EVgo Rewards, and Electrify America come with promotions, subscriber perks, and other rewards programs for app users. 
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
Find insurance savings

Where to look for free chargers

Like gas stations, most charging stations are built to turn a profit for the company providing the electricity, but that’s not true for all. 
Some towns and localities may offer free charging as a perk for residents, to encourage tourism, or to promote clean energy use, while private businesses may offer free charging to draw in more customers. 
If you’re searching for a free charger, you’ll most likely find them in high-traffic areas like airports, shopping centers, and malls. 
The EV you purchase may even come with some amount of free charging incentives. Owners of the new
Ford F-150 Lightning
, for example, get 250kWh of free charge via a partnership with Electrify America.

Careful planning can earn you big savings

Finding free charging stations can be a great way to save, but sometimes the convenience of a closer station may be worth the price of charging. Either way, you’re still saving tons on fuel costs, and doing something great for the environment. 
To save even more, sign up with the
Jerry
app. 
Finding the right car insurance coverage can be a real hassle, but not anymore. All you need to do is answer a few questions, and Jerry will compile a comprehensive list of the best coverage options across providers. 
The savings keep coming even after Jerry finds you great insurance at the lowest price. Before every policy renewal period, you’ll be presented with new competitive quotes, which means you’ll always have the best coverage at the best price. Sign up today!
MORE: There Is a Hidden Barrier to Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
Try Jerry

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings