Month: September 2025

By Laura Diaz-Villaquiran

Public EV Charging Stations in the Commonwealth 

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center 

The U.S. EV charging network has grown from 5,070 EV charging ports in 2011 to more than 184,000 in 2023, a 36-fold increase in just over a decade. This rapid expansion is vital for consumers, who depend on reliable and accessible charging infrastructure.  As the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) explains, while most drivers begin by charging at home or at fleet facilities, public and workplace stations, “help bolster market acceptance by offering more flexible charging opportunities at commonly visited locations.” 

This Map of the Month highlights publicly available EV charging stations in the Commonwealth of Virginia, along with the state’s EV-ready and pending fuel corridors. Under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, previous guidance stated that stations must be located within 50 miles of one another to qualify as corridor-ready, but that  has changed.  

Virginia’s network is steadily taking shape. Today, the Commonwealth is home to 1,838 public EV charging stations, with a total of 5,316 charging ports. Of these, 344 are Level 3 direct-current (DC) fast charging stations, the highest-capacity chargers available. These stations make long-distance EV travel increasingly practical and reliable, with the AFDC noting that “DC fast charging equipment (typically a three-phase AC input) enables rapid charging along heavy traffic corridors at installed stations at power outputs up to 500 kW.”  

Virginia’s interstates serve as a pass-through from the South to the Midwest and the Northeast, making this growing network especially significant for regional and national EV travel. Our map also indicates that charging “hot spots” are concentrated in Virginia’s urban areas, such as Arlington, Alexandria, Richmond, Norfolk, Lynchburg, and Blacksburg. These clusters highlight the state’s progress while underscoring the need to expand access in rural communities. 

On February 6, 2025, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced a pause on the current NEVI Formula Program. But even with this pause, Virginians still have access to a wide range of residential and non-residential utility incentives that are helping to accelerate EV adoption: 

• Appalachian Power offers time-of-use (TOU) rates for EV charging, rebates for Level 2 charging station purchases, and infrastructure support.
• Dominion Energy provides rebates and pilot programs for both residential and non-residential charging stations.
• Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) and Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) both extend TOU rate incentives to residential customers.
• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) supports non-residential adoption through rebates for DC fast charging station purchases, installation incentives, and deployment pilot programs.

Together, these programs make it easier for households and businesses to invest in charging infrastructure and alternative fuel options. For the most up-to-date information, the Alternative Fuels Data Center maintains a comprehensive directory of incentives, laws, and regulations available in Virginia.