In terms of public charging, electric vehicle owners now have a plethora of charging options available to them. For instance, companies like EVgo and ChargePoint offer competitive advantages for those who use their stations, but which one is the better choice for the average user?
The answer varies based on factors such as location, usage, and cost. However, both companies offer benefits that can transform charging from a mundane chore to a rewarding experience.
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Contact ElectrlyEVgo vs ChargePoint: Number of Charging Stations
EVgo has 850 charging stations located primarily in California, Washington, Florida, Texas, and along the east coast. Overall, those stations can be found in 30 states, more than 60 major metropolitan areas, and there are plans to expand that network in the near future.
ChargePoint, however, has more than 18,000 chargers across the United States and Canada. That is more ChargePoint chargers than Walmarts, Dunkin' Donuts, 7-Elevens, McDonalds, and Starbucks. ChargePoint is among the leading manufacturers in the world for chargers, even though most of their chargers are Level 2, not fast chargers. However, that availability may outweigh speed for some consumers looking to top up their cars.
When compared to traditional gas pumps, ChargePoint chargers still make up about 12 percent of that number – 145,000. An impressive amount of chargers have been built in such a short amount of time as demand has exploded in recent years.
EVgo vs ChargePoint: Types of Chargers & Connectors
ChargePoint offers all three types of connectors and chargers, Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 or DC fast chargers, while EVgo offers only Level 2 and 3.
- Level 1 chargers are the slowest – but most widely available chargers on the market and typically come with an electric vehicle when purchased. They plug into any standard 120 volt wall outlet.
- Level 2 chargers use 240v outlets, the same kind that run clothes dryers and other large appliances, and require an electrician to professionally install them either in a home or business.
- Level 3 chargers – also known as DC fast chargers – are more like traditional gas pumps. They can charge an electric vehicle from 0-80 percent in about half an hour, meaning drivers do not have to wait long for their cars to hit the road again.
It should be noted that Teslas require their own proprietary charging adaptor, which is available on the Tesla website.
EVgo vs ChargePoint: Charging Pricing
How Much Does EVgo Charge?
There are a few ways to pay at an EVgo charger. The first is to simply pay as you go, as you would at any other charger. But in California, Florida, and Texas, the states where a majority of their chargers are, there is an option of becoming an EVgo member. EVgo Basic costs one dollar per month, and charges 34 cents per KWh. EVgo Plus costs $6.99 per month, and 25 cents per KWh. EVgo PlusMax costs $12.99 per month and 22 cents per KWh.
The different tiers of membership are laid out on the EVgo website, with suggestions for how often people should charge in relation to each tier to get the most bang for their buck.
Prices also vary depending on the type of charger used, with DC fast charging in California being as low as 21 cents, and Level 2 charging everywhere being $1.50 per hour.
It should be noted as well that EVgo rewards programs are not available for Tesla vehicles. But almost every other type of vehicle from Bently to Volvo is available, so users should have no other problems getting their electric vehicle registered for the rewards program.
How Much Does ChargePoint Charge?
ChargePoint operates differently from EVgo. The rate you pay at each charging station operated by ChargePoint varies, similar to how a traditional gas station works. If you get lucky, you may even find some free charge stations. However, others can adjust their pricing based on demand, price of electricity at the time, and other factors that may not be known by the customer at the time they have to charge.
Is There a Rewards Program?
EVgo does offer a rewards program, but ChargePoint does not.
The EVgo rewards program lets drivers earn points for charging their car using an EVgo charger. First, drivers earn 50 points for signing up for the program, and an additional five points for every dollar spent, up to a maximum of 30 points per month.
Every 2000 points of EVgo credit is worth $10 of charging.
EVgo has also partnered with Warner Bros to offer special rewards based on films in the past few months. Namely, ads for the movie Shazam: Fury of the Gods were featured on EVgo chargers. Anyone with a rewards membership could post a selfie with the ad in the photo on social media earned an additional 250 rewards points.
EVgo vs ChargePoint: Mobile Apps
Both EVgo and ChargePoint have mobile apps that let users locate, monitor, and charge their electric vehicles from their phones. EVgo even lets drivers reserve a charger at select locations in the United States, and of course earn aforementioned rewards points that can go towards later charging.
The ChargePoint app lets users read reviews of chargers, find available stations, and features a tips section on how to get the best experience at each different charging station. Plus you can connect your home charger to the app as well.
Both apps are completely free on the Apple App Store and on the Google Play store for Android.
Which Is Better? EVgo or ChargePoint?
If a driver is willing to sign up for a rewards program and they have an EVgo charger in their area, EVgo is the superior choice.
The rewards program offers discounts on charging, and charging credits after a certain amount of time, while ChargePoint has no competitive system to compete with EVgo.
However, if there are no EVgo chargers nearby, ChargePoint is the superior choice as it has more than 18 times the amount of chargers available nationwide, plus in Canada.
The golden rule in real estate is location, location, location, and that same rule applies here. It all depends on where the driver lives and operates from.
Conclusion
Either EVgo or ChargePoint electric vehicle chargers will get your vehicle topped up quickly, but it is up to each individual to decide if the rewards program cost is worth it, and if they have access to the types of infrastructure that will support their driving habits.
