How Many EV Chargers Are There Versus Gas Pumps?

Gas stations are seemingly on every corner. But electric charging stations? They're another story, at least right now.  As interest in electric vehicles grows, automakers are working to grow the charging infrastructure in the U.S. to increase accessibility and help spur EV adoption. In recent days,  some automakers like GM, Ford and Mercedes-Benz have announced deals with Tesla to allow customers to use Tesla SuperChargers next year.  There's also been a recent announcement from seven automakers who are joining forces to build a DC Fast Charging Network that will open its first stations in 2024. 

This said, how many EV chargers are out there now, currently, compared to gas stations? For an interesting comparison we turn to a new study by Coast.

EV Chargers VS Gas Station Density

The Coast study looks at the EV charging station density to traditional gas stations here in the U.S.

It found that the U.S. averages about 104 gas pumps per 1,000 road miles, compared to just 22 EV charging ports.

Here are some of the study's findings:

• Nevada: 49% more EVs per vehicle registration than the national average but has 19% fewer EV ports per road mile.
• Oregon: 56% more EVs per vehicle registration but 14% fewer EV ports per road mile.
• Rhode Island: 26% fewer EVs per vehicle registration with a whopping 205% more EV ports per road mile.
• Maine: 47% fewer EVs per vehicle registration and 5% more per road mile.

Gas Vehicle Usage vs. Fueling Density 

• Nevada: 2% more gas vehicles per vehicle registration than the national average but has 37% fewer gas pumps per road mile.
• Louisiana: 2% less gas vehicles per vehicle registration than the national average and 43% more gas pumps per road mile.

U.S. States with More EV Charging Opportunities Than Gas Stations 

• Massachusetts
• Rhode Island
• California
• Hawaii
• Maryland
• Colorado, Oregon
• Utah
• Washington

Mercedes-Benz is expanding charging access to customers via Tesla's Supercharger Network while building its own High-Powered Charging Network.  Photo: Mercedes-Benz.

To explore state-by-state breakdowns of charging vs. fueling density, click here for the complete study.

Methodology 

Coast says its comparison study used data from the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Census Bureau. State-by-state comparisons were found by positioning the number of EV charging opportunities and gas stations against roadway miles, vehicle registrations, and square miles. A density metric was created to highlight states with better EV charging density than gas station density, based on vehicle usage and charging/fueling accessibility, with assumptions for gas pump numbers from Enel X.

Photo credit: EVgo and General Motors recently opened 1,000th DC Fast Charging Stall as Part of Metropolitan Charging Collaboration.  General Motors.