Life With an EV
Ask any EV owner, and you’ll hear the same thing: once you drive electric, it’s hard to imagine going back. Daily charging at home is simple, but when it comes to public charging, drivers have plenty to say. The conversations aren’t complaints—they’re real stories about how charging is evolving, and how solutions are making life on the road smoother.
The App Puzzle
Many U.S. drivers note that public charging often involves multiple apps, memberships, or accounts. Yet, there’s a shift toward simplicity. Tesla owners highlight how effortless it is to pull up, plug in, and let billing happen automatically. Ford and GM drivers also benefit from “plug-and-charge” at networks like EVgo, Electrify America, and now Tesla Superchargers. One Ford Mach-E owner shared, “I just plug into a network charger through my Ford app, and the billing is seamless.” For occasional road-trippers, credit card readers are becoming more common, making it possible to pay without any app at all.
Local Progress Across the U.S.
Drivers from states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee report using multiple apps, but they also see progress with universal RFID cards and contactless pay. In California, Electrify America and EVgo now include tap-to-pay readers at many sites. Tesla’s expanding network—now open to non-Tesla vehicles—has also raised the bar, offering consistent speeds and reliable stations. And more drivers are noticing card readers being added, especially on new federally funded NEVI chargers.
The Future Is Plug-and-Charge
The strongest theme among U.S. EV drivers is optimism. Features like ISO 15118 “plug-and-charge,” already rolling out, will allow cars to handle payments directly—no apps, no cards. As one American EV driver put it: “I love my car and won’t go back to gas. Public charging just needs to catch up, and it’s happening fast.”
Public charging may still require some planning today, but the direction is clear: simpler, faster, and easier. For U.S. EV drivers, the future of charging looks as smooth as the drive itself.
