Virginia ekes into the top 10 states with the most electric vehicles in 10th place, making it the only state in the South to place on the list. To help support its growing population of electric vehicles, the state has installed over 800 public charging stations, most of which are concentrated in major urban areas. EVs account for 1.89% of total vehicles in the state.

If you’re a Virginian doing your part for the environment by driving an EV or plug-in hybrid, you probably have a great home charging setup. But if you’re taking a trip or find yourself low on battery during your commute home, you’ll need to use a public station.

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has created this handy guide to EV charging stations on the road.

Where to find electric vehicle charging stations in Virginia

You have some factors to consider before you set out in search of an EV charging location. The first thing you’ll need to do is learn about the different sorts of charging equipment available to figure out which option is best for you.

Level 1: Same as a 120-volt household outlet; the charge can take over 24 hours; best for plug-in hybrids

Level 2: 220 volts; a full charge usually takes between 4 and 8 hours; best for home charging

Level 3: Sometimes called DC fast charging; charges at a rate of up to 20 miles per minute; great for road trips

Tesla Supercharger: Tesla’s DC fast chargers; more plugs per site on average

Most of the public chargers you’ll find in Virginia are going to be Level 2 or Level 3. It’s less common to find a Level 1 or Tesla Supercharger, but you’ll find more of the Superchargers than you will Level 1 chargers. That’s because it takes so long to get fully charged on a Level 1 charger.

Here are some websites mapping out EV chargers in Virginia:

ChargeHub

: Lists Level 1, Level 2, DCFC (Level 3), and Tesla Supercharger stations

PlugShare

: Shows pricing, user reviews, and parking information

Virginia cities with the most EV charging stations

City	Total number of public charging stations	DCFC stations	Tesla stations	Free stations
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News	535	101	50	119
Richmond	424	121	88	64
Charlottesville	120	32	16	22
Roanoke	91	28	10	16
Lynchburg	67	18	16	10

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How much does it cost to charge an electric car in Virginia?

It’s safe to say that it’s less expensive than average to charge an EV than it is to fill a gas tank, but it’s not always going to be free. Here’s what it costs to charge an EV in Virginia.

If you do happen to find a Level 1 charger, it’s probably free to use. If you find one that does require payment, you can expect to pay between $1.50 and $14 depending on battery size and location.

You can also often find free Level 2 charging, but you should also expect to pay between $0.20 and $0.30 per kWh. A full charge will cost, on average, between $8 and $40, but this will change depending on where you are. You can anticipate paying less than $10 for a top-off charge to get you to your final destination, but you’ll pay more for other Level 2 locations, like overnight at a hotel.

The most efficient type of EV charging is a DC fast charger, which costs similarly to Level 2 charging. You’ll pay either by time (per minute) or by electricity consumed (per kWh). The national average is $0.35/kWh, which amounts to around $10 to $30 per charge.

Some locations charge for parking, so see if you can find a spot to charge that offers membership rates for a monthly fee so you can avoid paying an as-you-go rate for parking.

MORE:

How to get a hybrid or electric car tax credit

Virginia electric vehicle incentives

Virginia is a blend of highly rural and dense metropolitan areas. If you live in a rural area and want to drive an EV, you might find charging on the go to be a challenge. That’s why Dominion Energy has implemented its Smart Charging Infrastructure Pilot Program to help offset the costs of constructing new EV charging stations. The hope is that reducing the burden of cost will encourage more apartment buildings and workplaces to install EV chargers.

The state also offers incentives to consumers who purchase EVs or PHEVs. If you purchase a new EV or PHEV from a participating dealership, you’re eligible for a $2,500 rebate on your new, eco-friendly vehicle. You’re also eligible for the rebate if you purchase a used EV or PHEV, and could even get an additional $2,000 enhanced rebate on top of that. But take notice that the rebate only applies to the base price of the vehicle—it doesn’t include additional packages or options!

MORE: Virginia electric vehicle incentives

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