In the early days of electric vehicles (EVs), manufacturers offered free chargers as an incentive to attract potential EV buyers. For example, many early Tesla adopters received free lifetime Supercharger access for their vehicles. While that promotion no longer exists, you can still find some grandfathered Tesla owners who receive the benefit.

While perks like these are now much rarer, a few automakers still offer them. Aside from free charging, some manufacturers also offer other perks, such as at-home charger installation support. If you’re looking for additional benefits, you can explore EV incentives from your state and local governments.

Cars That Offer Free Charging

While many automakers previously offered free charging in partnership with networks like Electrify America and EVgo, most have discontinued this perk for their newer 2026 models. Most new EVs now come with complimentary charging adapters or built-in NACS ports instead. Below is a list of some automakers that still offer charging perks to customers.

BMW

The 2026 BMW i4, i5, and iX all offer free charging of up to 1,000 kWh in partnership with Electrify America, or around 3,000 miles of range. Some models qualify for up to 2,000 kWh of free charging, which translates to around 6,000 miles of range using BMW’s estimates. Charging may be limited to 30-minute sessions with a 60-minute waiting period between free charges. If you don’t use these credits, they expire at the end of two years. BMW also runs the ChargeForward program, which allows drivers to monitor charging and earn rewards through the BMW mobile app.

Ford

Although Ford doesn’t have a free charging partnership with any public charging stations, the comopany will help you install an at-home charger if you purchase or lease a 2025 F-150 Lightning or 2025/2026 Mustang Mach-E. The Ford Power Promise program covers the cost of an at-home charger and installation, or buyers can choose $2,000 in bonus cash instead.

Hyundai

Drivers eyeing the 2026 IONIQ 9 are in luck. Hyundai is offering a choice between $400 in ChargePoint credits or a free ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 charger. The only caveat for both incentives is that customers must use the Hyundai Home Marketplace to claim them.

Mercedes-Benz

All 2024 to 2026 Mercedes-Benz EV and PHEV models come with two years of free charging at Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging locations. To access this perk, drivers must download the Mercedes-Benz mobile app and activate the MB.CHARGE Public service.

Volkswagen

The 2026 ID.4 will offer first-time owners discounted charging rates in partnership with Electrify America. New ID.4 owners will gain two-year access to Pass+ charging within the Electrify America network, allowing them to save 25% on charging.

Volvo

Volvo offers free charging perks for its Sweden-based customers, but not for North American drivers. The automaker has partnered with Swedish electric company Vattenfall to give customers one year of free at-home charging. Hopefully, this program will be available to U.S. customers in the future, although there are no indications that Volvo plans to expand at this time.

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Quick Facts About Free Charging Stations

• Use EV charging apps to locate free charging stations in real time to save money.
• Early EV adopters may still have some of their initial free charging benefits remaining.
• Free public charging stations are sometimes found at popular locations such as shopping centers, workplaces, and hotels, providing added convenience for EV drivers.

Many electric vehicle owners charge at home, which is the most convenient way to replenish range, but almost everyone encounters a time when charging on the go is necessary. Public chargers are a great way to recover battery power away from home, but most aren’t free. While they’re still cheaper than refueling a gas vehicle, public chargers usually bill by the kilowatt-hour (kWh), with higher costs for faster charging speeds.

The good news is that there are still free charging options out there. They’re usually a bit off the beaten path and aren’t always the fastest options available, but they can get the job done if you aren’t in the mood to pay for a quick charging session.

Where Can I Charge My Electric Car for Free?

Finding a free charging station in your area takes a little research. Many grocery stores, hotels, universities, and car dealers offer no-cost charging, but they aren’t widely advertised and might not show up in the location features built into many electric vehicles’ navigation systems.

Smartphone apps are a great way to locate free charging stations. PlugShare, available for Apple and Android devices, is one of the more popular options. Its map-based search tool offers a filter for no-cost chargers in your area, and you can expand your search radius to find additional locations. 

It’s also a good idea to download the apps for the charging networks you most frequently use for the times when there are no free chargers available where you need them. Many of the major national charging companies offer perks, such as points systems that give free charging minutes, and they’re useful for viewing the status of local chargers. 

Some EV owners may have access to free charging time through promotional offers issued when they bought their cars. Electrify America’s network offers free charging to some owners of EVs from brands such as Audi, BMW, Genesis, and others. That said, the free charging sessions are usually limited, depending on the charger speed and vehicle. For example, owners of 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 models purchased before February 28, 2025, have access to 24 months of 30-minute fast-charging sessions or 60 minutes of Level 2 charging.

What to Know About Free EV Chargers 

Lines for free charging stations might also be an issue, or there may not be empty chargers when you arrive at a destination and need to plug in.

If you’re going to drive in an unfamiliar area and know you’ll be near the maximum range of your EV, be sure to have a backup plan in case your intended free electric car charger is unavailable.

Tips for Finding Free Chargers in Public

The easiest places to find free charging stations are shopping malls, high-traffic grocery stores, libraries, and some fast-food chains. Some towns operate free charging networks as part of clean energy initiatives or to drive traffic to areas they want to promote. The best way to locate these chargers is to use apps like PlugShare, which makes it easy to filter for free chargers on a map.

If you were one of the early EV adopters, your vehicle might have come with free charging perks, though the limited clock is running out on most of those offers by now. Those benefits are usually tied to a specific charging network, and they may require an app with an attached payment method. You can locate these chargers in the charging network app or your vehicle’s companion app.

Finally, remember that free charging can be a huge benefit, but it’s generally not a good idea to wait until you’re in a desperate situation. Finding a free charger can take time, and they aren’t always in the most convenient locations. You’ll probably also find slower speeds that make it difficult to top up your battery in a reasonable amount of time.

Editor’s Note: We have updated this article since its initial publication.

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