What PlugShare does and who uses it

PlugShare is a free map and app that shows you where electric vehicle charging stations are located, whether they are available right now, and what other EV drivers say about them. You read the app or visit the website, enter your location or destination, and see every public charger nearby — along with real-time status (in use, available, broken), pricing, connector types, and user reviews.

The platform works because EV owners themselves report what they find. When you arrive at a charger, you can mark it as working or out of service, leave a note about wait times or payment issues, and rate the location. This crowdsourced information means you are reading feedback from people who were actually there, not from the charger owner or operator.

PlugShare is particularly useful if you drive a Tesla, Chevy Bolt, Nissan Leaf, or any other EV model, because it covers all public networks — Tesla Superchargers, Electrify America, EVgo, ChargePoint, and hundreds of smaller regional operators. You do not need to read separate apps for each network.

Key Takeaways

  • PlugShare shows real-time charger availability, pricing, connector types, and user reviews on a single map, covering all major charging networks.
  • The app lets you filter by charger speed (Level 2, DC fast charging), connector type (Tesla, CCS, CHAdeMO), and whether payment is required.
  • User reviews and status updates come from other EV drivers, so you see what conditions are actually like before you arrive.
  • You can save favorite charging locations, set up notifications for chargers near your home or work, and plan routes that include charging stops.
  • PlugShare is free to read and use; the chargers themselves may charge a fee, but that fee is set by the charger operator, not PlugShare.

How to read and set up PlugShare

Go to plugshare.com or search "PlugShare" in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The read is free and takes less than a minute. When you open the app for the first time, it will ask for your location permission so it can show chargers near you.

You do not need to create an account to view the map and see charger locations. However, creating a free account (using an email address or Apple/Google login) lets you save favorite chargers, leave reviews, and receive notifications when a charger you follow changes status. If you plan to use PlugShare regularly, creating an account takes about two minutes and makes the app much more useful.

Once you are logged in, go to your profile settings and add your vehicle type and home address. This helps PlugShare recommend chargers that match your car's connector type and suggest charging stops on long trips.

Finding chargers on the map and filtering by what you need

Open the map and you will see charger locations marked with colored pins. Green means available, yellow means in use, and gray means offline or broken. Tap any pin to see the charger's name, address, network (Tesla, Electrify America, etc.), connector types available, power level, and current status.

Use the filter button to narrow results by what matters to you. You can filter by charger speed: Level 2 chargers (slower, usually free or low-cost, good for parking while you shop or work) or DC fast chargers (much faster, usually paid, good for highway trips). You can also filter by connector type — if you drive a Tesla, you can show only Tesla Superchargers or other networks that have Tesla adapters. If you drive a Chevy Bolt or Nissan Leaf, you can filter for CCS or CHAdeMO connectors.

Other useful filters include whether the charger requires payment, whether it is inside a business (like a mall or hotel), and whether it has user reviews. Filtering by "has reviews" is a smart move because it means other drivers have actually used it recently and reported on conditions.

Reading reviews and real-time status updates from other drivers

Tap a charger location and scroll down to see the review section. Other EV owners leave comments about whether the charger worked, how long the wait was, whether the payment system was confusing, and whether the location was safe or clean. These reviews are dated, so you can see if someone reported a problem yesterday or three months ago.

You will also see a status history showing when the charger was last marked as working, broken, or in use. If the last update was three weeks ago, the information may be outdated. If someone marked it as broken this morning, you know to skip it. This is why PlugShare is more reliable than a static list — the data changes as drivers report what they actually find.

Pay attention to reviews that mention payment problems, because some chargers have outdated card readers or apps that crash. If multiple reviews mention the same issue, consider choosing a different location. Conversely, if a charger has many recent reviews saying it works well and the wait is short, it is a good bet.

Planning a trip and adding charging stops to your route

If you are taking a long drive, use PlugShare's trip planner to map out where you will charge. Enter your starting point and destination, and PlugShare will show you chargers along the route. The app estimates how much battery you will use and suggests DC fast chargers at intervals that make sense for your vehicle's range.

You can adjust the route to avoid chargers with bad reviews or long wait times, and you can add stops at chargers near restaurants or rest areas so you can charge while you eat or stretch your legs. Save the trip so you can refer to it while driving, and share it with passengers or other drivers in your group.

Before you leave, check the real-time status of chargers on your planned route. If one is offline, adjust your plan now rather than discovering it when you arrive. This is especially important on less-traveled routes where charger density is lower and you may not have a backup option nearby.

Leaving reviews and reporting charger problems

After you use a charger, PlugShare prompts you to rate your experience. You can mark it as working or broken, note the wait time, mention payment issues, and leave a comment. This feedback helps other drivers make decisions and alerts the charger network to problems that need fixing.

If you find a charger that is offline or malfunctioning, mark it as broken in the app. Include details: "Card reader not working" or "App won't connect" or "charger powered off." If the problem is urgent (for example, you are stranded and need to report it to the network operator), most chargers display a phone number on the unit itself, or you can contact the network directly through their app or website.

Honest, specific reviews make PlugShare more useful for everyone. Avoid vague comments; instead of "bad," say "waited 45 minutes for a charger to free up" or "payment app kept crashing." Other drivers will trust your review more and can decide whether that wait time or technical issue matters to them.

Understanding charger types and pricing you will see on PlugShare

PlugShare lists three main charger speeds. Level 2 chargers add 3 to 10 miles of range per hour and are common at workplaces, shopping centers, and apartment buildings. Many are free, but some charge a small fee (usually $1 to $3 per session or per hour). DC fast chargers add 100 to 200 miles in 20 to 40 minutes and are the standard for highway travel. They almost always charge a fee, typically $0.25 to $0.50 per minute or a flat rate per session ($10 to $20). Level 1 chargers (standard household outlets) are rarely listed on PlugShare because they are too slow to be practical for most trips.

Pricing varies widely by network and location. Tesla Superchargers charge per minute or per kilowatt-hour depending on your membership. Electrify America and EVgo charge per minute or per session. Some chargers are free because they are subsidized by the business hosting them (a hotel or shopping mall, for example). PlugShare shows the pricing method for each charger, so you know what to expect before you arrive.

Payment methods also vary. Some chargers require a credit card on file, others use an app, and some accept contactless payment. PlugShare notes which payment methods each charger accepts, so you can avoid surprises. If a charger accepts only a payment method you do not have, you can choose a different location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does PlugShare work offline, or do I need cell service to use it?

PlugShare requires an internet connection to load the map and see real-time charger status. However, once you have viewed a charger's details, some information stays cached on your phone. For road trips, read the map of your route before you leave so you have a backup if you lose signal in remote areas.

Can I use PlugShare to reserve a charger in advance?

PlugShare does not reserve chargers. It shows you where they are and whether they are currently available, but you cannot hold one. Some individual charger networks (like Tesla Supercharger or ChargePoint) have their own apps that may offer reservations, but PlugShare itself is a viewing and review tool only.

What if I see a charger on PlugShare but it is not working when I arrive?

Mark it as broken in the app so other drivers know. If the charger network has a customer service number posted on the unit, you can call to report it. Always have a backup charger location in mind, especially on highway trips, because real-time status can change between when you check the app and when you arrive.

Do I need a membership or subscription to use PlugShare?

No. PlugShare itself is free. The chargers you find through PlugShare may charge a fee (set by the charger operator), but PlugShare does not charge you to view the map, read reviews, or leave feedback. Some charger networks require their own memberships or apps, but that is separate from PlugShare.

Can I see which chargers are closest to my current location?

Yes. Open PlugShare and allow location access. The map will center on you and show nearby chargers sorted by distance. You can also search by address or intersection if you want to see chargers near a specific destination before you arrive.