Electrify America's per-kilowatt-hour rates vary by location and membership, ranging from roughly $0.43 to $0.80 per kWh as of 2024

Electrify America, the charging network owned by Volkswagen Group, does not publish a single national rate. Instead, prices depend on three things: which state you're charging in, whether you're a member of their subscription plan, and the specific station's pricing tier. A non-member paying per-use at a fast charger in California might pay $0.80 per kWh, while the same charger in Texas could cost $0.50 per kWh. Members of Electrify America's subscription plans pay lower per-kWh rates but pay a monthly fee upfront.

The company operates two membership tiers: Electrify+ ($4.99 per month) and Electrify+ Premium ($14.99 per month). Both reduce your per-kWh cost compared to non-member rates, though the exact savings depend on your state and the charger level you use. Non-members can still charge at any Electrify America station but pay the highest per-kWh rate available at that location.

Key Takeaways

  • Electrify America's rates range from $0.43 to $0.80 per kWh depending on your state, membership status, and whether you use a Level 2 or DC fast charger.
  • Membership plans (Electrify+ at $4.99/month or Electrify+ Premium at $14.99/month) lower your per-kWh cost but require a monthly commitment.
  • You can check the exact price at any specific station before you plug in using the Electrify America app or website.
  • DC fast chargers cost significantly more per kWh than Level 2 chargers at the same location, but charge your vehicle much faster.
  • Some vehicle manufacturers, including Volkswagen and Audi, include complimentary charging credits or free membership for a set period after purchase.

How to find the exact price at a specific charger

Electrify America publishes real-time pricing on its mobile app and website. Open the Electrify America app, search for a charger near your location, and tap on it to see the current per-kWh rate for both Level 2 and DC fast charging. The app shows whether you're looking at member or non-member pricing based on your account status. You can also visit electrifyamerica.com, use the station locator, and click any charger to see its rates.

Prices can shift based on demand and time of day at some locations, though Electrify America does not use dynamic pricing the way some other networks do. The rate you see in the app is the rate you'll pay when you charge. If you're planning a road trip, check rates along your route in advance so you can budget accordingly and decide whether membership makes sense for your trip.

Membership plans and how much you actually save

Electrify+ ($4.99 per month) reduces your per-kWh rate by roughly $0.05 to $0.10 depending on your state and charger type. Electrify+ Premium ($14.99 per month) saves you an additional $0.05 to $0.10 per kWh beyond the standard membership tier. The math on whether membership pays off depends on how much you charge per month. If you charge 500 kWh per month and save $0.07 per kWh with Electrify+, you save $35 per month—easily covering the $4.99 membership fee. If you charge 100 kWh per month, the savings ($7) barely cover the fee.

Electrify America allows you to cancel membership at any time with no penalty, so you can test a membership for a month or two to see whether it makes financial sense for your driving pattern. Some vehicle owners receive complimentary Electrify America credits or free membership for a period after purchase—check your vehicle's documentation or contact your dealer to see if this applies to you.

DC fast charging versus Level 2 pricing

DC fast chargers cost more per kWh than Level 2 chargers at the same Electrify America location. A DC fast charger might cost $0.65 per kWh for non-members while a Level 2 charger at the same station costs $0.35 per kWh. The premium reflects the faster charging speed and the higher electrical infrastructure cost to deliver power at that rate. DC fast chargers can add 200 miles of range in 20 to 30 minutes, while Level 2 chargers typically add 25 to 30 miles per hour of charging.

For daily charging at home or work, Level 2 is far cheaper per kWh and makes sense if you have time to charge overnight or during your workday. For road trips or urgent charging, DC fast chargers are worth the higher per-kWh cost because you spend less total time at the charger. The per-kWh rate alone does not tell you the full cost picture—you also need to factor in how long you're willing to wait and how much your time is worth.

Regional price variation and why rates differ by state

Electrify America's rates vary significantly by state due to differences in electricity costs, local competition, and state regulations. California, where electricity costs are among the highest in the nation, typically has higher per-kWh rates at Electrify America chargers. Texas, with lower wholesale electricity costs, generally has lower rates. The Midwest and Southeast fall somewhere in between. A charger in Los Angeles might cost $0.75 per kWh while an identical charger in Austin costs $0.50 per kWh.

Electrify America sets rates at individual stations rather than by state, so two chargers in the same state can have different prices. Urban locations with higher demand and higher real estate costs sometimes charge more than rural locations. If you're comparing Electrify America to other networks or to home charging, check the rates at the specific stations you'll actually use rather than assuming a statewide average.

How Electrify America's pricing compares to other networks

Electrify America's per-kWh rates are competitive with other major DC fast-charging networks like Electrify (formerly EVgo) and Charge Point, though rates vary by location and membership status. Tesla's Supercharger network, which is now opening to non-Tesla vehicles, typically charges per minute rather than per kWh, making direct comparison difficult. Some regional networks and utility-owned chargers may offer lower rates in specific areas. The best way to compare is to check the rates at chargers you'll actually use on your regular routes and road trips.

Membership plans across networks work differently—some charge monthly fees, others charge per-session fees, and some offer no membership option. If you charge primarily at one network, membership in that network usually makes sense. If you charge at multiple networks, you may find that paying per-use at each one costs less than maintaining multiple memberships.

How to estimate your total charging cost

To estimate what you'll spend charging at Electrify America, multiply the per-kWh rate by the number of kWh you charge per month. If you charge 300 kWh per month at an average rate of $0.60 per kWh, your monthly charging cost is $180 before membership discounts. Add any membership fee ($4.99 or $14.99) to get your true monthly cost. Compare this to what you would have spent on gasoline in a comparable gas vehicle to understand your fuel savings.

Your actual kWh per month depends on your vehicle's efficiency (measured in miles per kWh) and how much you drive. Check your vehicle's energy consumption in its onboard display or app to see how many kWh you're actually using. Most modern EVs consume between 0.20 and 0.35 kWh per mile, so a 300-mile monthly commute uses roughly 60 to 105 kWh. If most of your charging happens at home on a residential electricity plan, your home charging will be cheaper per kWh than public fast charging, so budget for public charging only on road trips or when home charging isn't available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see Electrify America prices before I arrive at a charger?

Yes. The Electrify America app and website show the current per-kWh rate at every charger before you arrive. Open the app, find the station, and tap it to see pricing for both Level 2 and DC fast charging. Prices can occasionally change, but what you see in the app is what you'll pay when you plug in.

Do I have to be a member to use Electrify America chargers?

No. Non-members can charge at any Electrify America station and pay the per-use rate shown in the app. Members pay a lower per-kWh rate but pay a monthly fee. Membership makes financial sense if you charge frequently enough that the per-kWh savings exceed the monthly fee.

What's included in Electrify+ Premium versus regular Electrify+?

Electrify+ Premium ($14.99/month) offers a lower per-kWh rate than standard Electrify+ ($4.99/month). The exact difference varies by location, but Premium typically saves you an additional $0.05 to $0.10 per kWh. Premium is worth it only if you charge frequently enough that the extra savings exceed the $10 monthly difference in membership cost.

Why does DC fast charging cost so much more per kWh than Level 2?

DC fast chargers deliver power at much higher rates, which requires more expensive electrical infrastructure and costs more for the utility to supply. The higher per-kWh rate reflects both the infrastructure cost and the faster charging speed. You're paying more per kWh but spending far less time at the charger.

Do vehicle manufacturers cover Electrify America charging?

Some do. Volkswagen, Audi, and other brands sometimes include complimentary Electrify America charging credits or free membership for a set period after purchase. Check your vehicle's documentation or contact your dealer to see if this benefit applies to you. Even if it does, the credits or free period will eventually expire, so understand the per-kWh rates before that happens.