These Are the 12 Easiest and Hardest States To Charge Your EV

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In some states, you can charge your EV every mile. In others, you’ll have to drive for miles. Which are the easiest and hardest states to charge your EV?

Electric vehicles (EVs) have become the hottest trend in transportation. In addition to saving money on gas, people love these vehicles because they are easy to charge and reliable.

However, it’s hard to find an EV charger in some states. This can be dangerous if you’re on a road trip and need to charge your car.

Below are the easiest and hardest states to charge your EV, according to a study by the global automotive research firm HERE. The firm ranked each state on several aspects, including the number and availability of charging points.

Easiest States To Charge Your EV

These states have a huge network of chargers and supportive policies that encourage drivers to own EV vehicles. You can find EV chargers in almost every gas station and front of businesses. Below are the easiest states to charge your EV.

Delaware

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Delaware scores 79.4 on HERE’s index, making it the easiest state to charge your EV. The state is small, and many people live close to their jobs, so having an EV is more practical for them.

The state also has some of the best chargers in the country. These chargers are well-maintained, new, and reliable, giving EV drivers plenty of power.

On the road, you’ll see a high number of electric vehicles compared to standard gas vehicles. This means drivers in Delaware support businesses where they can charge their vehicles. If you’re taking your EV on a road trip through Delaware, you won’t have to worry about running out of charge.

Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. scores 72.5. The nation’s capital invests heavily in policies that promote EVs. The state also has the most charging points per road length.

You’ll find one of the largest charging point fleets in the nation. With the capital’s small geographic size, you’ll never be too far from a charging station.

Although it has pro-EV policies and plenty of places to charge, its charging points have weak power. You won’t get the same charge quality as in other states, such as Delaware, but you’ll never be far from a charging point when you need one.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts earns a 64.2 on HERE’s index. The state is small and has a very high number of charging stations on each road.

The number of EV drivers is also related to the availability of charging stations. In some parts of the state, there are more EVs than standard vehicles, which leads to local policies that encourage businesses to install EV charging points.

Although charging stations are plentiful, they have relatively weak charging power compared to other states. Although you won’t get the best juice for your electric engine, you’ll never be far from a charging point or a fellow EV driver willing to help.

Nevada

Nevada scores 64.2, making it the fourth easiest state to charge your EV. Even with its long roads and sprawling desert highways, EV drivers can easily find a charging station.

Because many EV drivers have to drive long distances, the state’s charging stations have a lot of charge. Local businesses and governments install high-powered charging points so drivers are never left without a reliable charge.

Compared to the other top-scoring states, Nevada scores low on the number of EVs on the road. Standard gas-powered vehicles are still more prevalent.

Connecticut

Connecticut scored 63.7, putting it in fifth place. The small state has many charging points along its roads. Even in rural areas, many businesses have charging points for customers in front of their stores.

The state has one of the highest concentrations of electric vehicles in the country. Drivers encourage local businesses and policymakers to install charging points and prioritize EV use.

The only metric that decreases Connecticut’s score is the charging power of the state’s charging points. Drivers will have to charge more frequently than in other top states like Delaware or Nevada.

New York

New York is the sixth most accessible state to charge your EV, with 62.3 points. Although there are many rural areas, EV drivers won’t have to worry. New York has one of the largest concentrations of charging points in the country.

In some communities, there are more EV drivers than standard drivers. Businesses and gas stations along most roads have charging stations available for EV drivers.

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Aside from charging point availability and good EV policies, New York scores low for charging point quality. Its charging points won’t give you a huge amount of charge, but because of the availability of points across the state, you’ll never be far from one.

Hardest States To Charge Your EV

Some states just haven’t embraced EV technology. Die-hard fans of gas-powered vehicles dominate the road, and policies promoting EV use are few. Below are the hardest states to charge your EV, according to HERE’s study.

Mississippi

Mississippi scores 40.7 on HERE’s index. The state has one of the lowest percentages of charging points per road mile in the country. If you’re taking a road trip, you probably won’t find a charging point.

There are also very few EV drivers on the road. Most people prefer gas-powered vehicles. Because of this, few businesses care to install charging points.

If you do find a charging point, you’ll be able to juice up your vehicle quickly. Mississippi’s charging points have some of the most powerful chargers in the country.

Minnesota

Minnesota scored 40.7 on the index, putting it in fifth place for the hardest states to charge an EV. EVs and charging points are found in urban areas such as Minneapolis and St. Paul.

As you leave the cities, charging points get fewer and fewer. Minnesota has brutal winters and long distances between towns. For most motorists, EVs just don’t seem practical.

Between the rural landscape and the lack of interest, most gas stations and businesses choose not to cater to EVs. Local transportation policies favor gas-powered vehicles.

Nebraska

Nebraska scored a low 37.3, making it one of the hardest states to charge an EV in. The state is rural, with long distances between communities.

Many drivers prefer standard gas vehicles because of their reliability and ease of maintenance. Few EVs are on the road, and there are even fewer charging points at gas stations and businesses.

The charging points that do exist give a lot of juice and are frequently maintained. Most charging points and EVs are in the state’s cities and larger towns.

Idaho

Idaho scored 35.3, putting it in third place for the hardest state to charge an EV in. The state is one of the most rural in the country, and most communities have little interest in EVs.

Few EV drivers are on the road, and even fewer charging stations exist. This has left businesses little reason to have charging points for their customers.

The existing charging points are located in urban areas such as Boise. The quality of the charge is high, so if you find one, you should have enough charge for the day.

Arkansas

Arkansas scores 33.3, making it the second hardest state to charge your EV. The state has a low number of EV drivers or people interested in the technology. This has led to little incentive for installing charging points.

You have to drive long distances to find a charging point. Rural areas rarely have charging points available.

Although charging points and EV vehicles are few and far between, the state’s charging points are well-maintained and have a lot of power. If you’re lucky enough to find one, you can rely on its charge to get you to the next state.

Alaska

Alaska scores a low 19.6 on HERE’s index, making it the hardest state to charge your EV. Drivers have to drive long distances before finding a charging point. Most are located entirely in cities and not in rural areas.

Drivers in Alaska also prefer to use standard gas-powered vehicles. This leaves little reason for businesses and gas stations to install charging stations.

Because of Alaska’s rugged wilderness, drivers can’t afford to lose charge on the road. Most drive with a spare tank of gas or two, just in case. If something goes wrong in the middle of nowhere, you’ll have a better chance of finding repairs for a standard vehicle.