Whether you own an electric vehicle (EV) or not, you know that charging an electric car is part of keeping it running, just like gasoline is for a traditional car. EV adoption is on the rise and two of the most prolific EV charging networks helping to keep drivers moving along on US roads are EVgo and Electrify America. The two charging networks are quite established and have a large number of public charging stations located across the country. While there are more Chargepoint chargers than any network in the nation, EVgo and Electrify America are growing rapidly to keep pace with the high demand. In this short article, we’ll take a look at EVgo vs Electrify America so you know which network’s charging stations are a better fit for you.
EVgo vs Electrify America Charging Options
EVgo and Electrify America both offer Level 2 and DC fast charging stations. When it comes to the number of fast chargers, EVgo offers more than 1,7000 charging ports in 850 fast charging locations in more than 30 states. Electrify America offers a little bit more fast charging ports – 3,300 – in a smaller number of locations at 750 stations.
EVgo’s chargers range from 50kW to 350 kW. Electrify America offers the same power range. Both charging network companies can charge all EVs produced in the United States. When it comes to Tesla vehicles, some EVgo stations have Tesla connectors so it is almost as if you were charging at a Tesla Supercharger, while others require an adaptor. Electrify America does not currently have Tesla connectors and will require an adapter to charge a Tesla.
EVgo stations have J1772, CHAdeMO, SAE combo, CCS, and Tesla connectors. Electrify America stations do not have the SAE combo or Tesla connectors. If you are a Tesla EV owner, you charge at both EVgo and Electrify America stations with an adaptor.
How to charge at EVgo and Electrify America stations
Each session starts out relatively the same way. You should park so your EV’s charge port is on the same side as where the station’s connector is located. From there plug the connector into your charge port until it clicks into place.
With EVgo, start charging by opening up the EVgo app screen. You can also use your EVgo program card or a personal credit card to initiate a charge. To use the app or program card you’ll need to set up an EVgo account. If you pay with your credit card you’ll have to pay an extra fee. Once activated, the EVgo charger screen will display that it is in use. From there, you can leave the EVgo station to charge and do whatever you want – grab a bite to eat or run errands.
With Electrify America you can choose to pay as a guest or as a member. Guest rates will appear on the charger screen. From there, you can tap or swipe your credit card or pay with your mobile wallet. If you’re a member, pricing will appear in the app. Members have discounted rates. To become a member you’ll have to sign-up with Electrify America. Members can pay by tapping their phone on the screen through their mobile wallet or within the app.
The status of your charge will show up on the Electrify America station screen or respective app. You can manually stop a charge on either network’s charger by pushing stop on the charger screen. EVgo and Electrify America both offer mobile notifications on your charge session.
EVgo vs Electrify America Pricing
EVgo has three main pricing plans with some special plans for specific areas. Prices vary depending on where you live and Time-of-Use (TOU) rates. Electrify America has two different pricing plans depending on where you live.
EVgo has three main pricing options: Pay As You Go, EVgo Member, and EVgo Plus (prepaid plan for those who only plan to charge once a month). In California, Florida, and Texas, you’ll have added membership options, including EVgo Basic and EVgo PlusMax. They all require you to sign up. If you do want to charge without becoming a member you can pay with your credit card and you’ll be required to pay a $2.99 transaction fee. EVgo charges per kWh and per minute and TOU pricing applies. Prices and ways of being charged are based on where you live.
In California, you pay per kWh and prices vary based on Time-Of-Use (TOU) rates. Everywhere else, you’ll be charged by the minute. Only the city of San Diego has the additional two plans mentioned above.
With the Pay As You Go plan you’ll have to pay a $0.99 session fee every time you charge. If you want to reserve a charger so you know it’ll be available when you need it, you’ll pay $3.00 for reservations. The prices range from $0.32 – $0.39 per kWh in California. Everywhere else the range is $0.29 – $0.35 per minute.
With the EVgo Basic plan, you’ll be charged $0.99 a month and reservations are $3. There are no session fees. In San Diego, the Basic plan is $0.43 per kWh. In Florida, it is $0.32 per minute. In Texas, it is $0.28 per minute.
With the EVgo Member plan, you’ll be charged a prepaid charging credit of $4.99. Reservations are $3. Prices range from $0.29 – $0.35 per kWh in California. The prices everywhere else range from $0.25 – $0.31per minute.
With the EVgo Plus plan, your per minute/kWh rate will be discounted and you won’t be charged a session fee. The membership is $6.99 per month. You won’t be charged for reservations. Prices in California range from $0.25 – $0.30 per kWh. Prices everywhere else range from $0.22 – $0.28 per minute.
With the EVgo PlusMax plan, there are no session or reservation fees. The per minute/kWh rate will be discounted to a lower price than the Plus plan. The membership fee is higher at $12.99 per month. In San Diego, it costs $0.23 per kWh. In Florida, you’ll pay $0.26 per minute. In Texas, it is $0.22 per minute.
Electrify America has two pricing plans: Guest & Pass Members and Pass+ Members. Pass+ members pay a $4 monthly fee for discounted charging rates. You are charged per kilowatt-hour or minute. DC fast charging pricing is based on fast charger location, your plan, and at per-minute locations, by the maximum power level your EV can accept. Level 2 charging costs $0.03 per minute or the same as DC fast chargers per kWh locations.
Electrify America’s pricing is much simpler than EVgo’s with a more universal flat pricing system. For per-minute locations, for Guest & Pass members 1-90 kW is $0.16 per minute and 1-350kW is $0.32 per minute. For Pass+ members, 1-90 kW is $0.12 per minute and 1-350 kW is $0.24 per minute. For per-kWh locations of Guest & Pass members the cost is $0.43 per kilowatt-hour, while Pass+ members are charged $0.31 per kWh.
There is an idle fee. If charging stops, you’ll be charged $0.40 per minute after a 10-minute grace period.
Electrify America is much cheaper than EVgo and you could potentially be spending more than 50% if you charge with EVgo rather than Electrify America.
EVgo offers a rewards program, which Electrify America does not. You earn 50 points for joining the program. For every dollar you spend you earn five points. Points can only be earned at EVgo chargers and not at partner roaming chargers. You can also earn five points for shares, tweets, or retweets with a 30 points maximum per month. You can also earn five points for every EVgo website page view with a 30 points month limit. You earn 25 points on your birthday. Every 2,000 points earn you $10 in charging credit.
EVgo vs Electrify America Apps
EVgo and Electrify America both have excellent apps that are easy to use and have the features an EV driver would need for a great charging experience. With both of the respective apps, you can locate a public charger, pay for charging sessions with your phone and track your charging sessions.
EVgo’s app has some added features like being able to reserve charging stations since they offer that service as part of some of their plans. You can track your EVgo rewards in the app. You’ll also be able to access in-app coupons and receive store discounts from participating businesses located near some EV charging stations. There’s also a feature known as GAIN EVgo ACCESS where you can access fast chargers located within gated facilities using a QR code and get free entry to that location during the duration of the charging session.
With Electrify America’s app, you can also manage charging sessions and schedule charging sessions with their home EV charger called HomeStation. As of this publication, EVgo does not offer a home charging station.
Which is better?
If you’re looking at cost alone then an Electrify America charger might be the better option for you. If you take full advantage of the EVgo rewards program, you may want to go with an EVgo charger since your eventual charging costs may end up being lower than if you went with Electrify America. In the end, the network which has a DC fast charger next to your house or along your weekend errands route may be the one you choose. If you think about a traditional car, which gas station you choose could be based on price or other personal or perhaps aesthetic factors.
An even better option is to skip the public charging station and instead install a home EV charger. Unlike a traditional car, if you’re an EV driver you have an option that gasoline-powered car drivers do not! Recharging your car from home. Why not just skip the public charging stations altogether? Then, you won’t have to compare prices or figure out how to spend your time while waiting for your car to charge. You can simply charge your car overnight while you’re sleeping! Your home charger will be a Level 2 charger, but that’s fine since you won’t need DC fast charger speeds if you’re charging overnight. The cost to charge an electric car depends on where you live, your electricity rates, when you charge, and the efficiency of your car, but on average you’ll spend about $0.13 per kWh. If you compare the numbers with EVgo’s or Electrify America’s fees you’ll see that it is a substantial difference!
If you’re looking for a reliable and fast home EV charger installed safely and efficiently, WattLogic can help with its turnkey home charging solutions. WattLogic will find the perfect EV charger for you, arrange for a verified and licensed electrician to install your charger, and even help you find EV charger rebates in your area and apply for them on your behalf! Not only that, WattLogic has made getting your home EV charging station quote a breeze. You simply fill out a quick digital survey and WattLogic will find the best price for your EV charger installation from electricians in your area. You won’t have to call around to different electricians. You’ll just answer a few questions, snap a few photos and receive your quote in no time!
