Membership plans can significantly affect the cost of using public EV charging stations by offering discounted rates, eliminating session fees, and providing convenient payment methods. Here’s how membership plans typically influence the cost:
Discounted Rates
- Subscription Discounts: Members often receive lower per-minute or per-kWh rates compared to non-members. For example, Electrify America offers discounted pricing with its Pass+ plan, and EVgo provides discounts for its PlusMax and Plus members.
- No Session Fees: Membership plans from providers like EVgo eliminate session fees, which can save users additional costs compared to pay-as-you-go users.
Convenience and Access
- Easy Payment: Members can easily initiate and manage charging sessions through mobile apps, reducing the hassle of payment at each station.
- Multi-Network Access: Some memberships, like ChargePoint, offer access to multiple networks, reducing the need for multiple accounts and making cross-network charging more convenient.
Cost Structure
- Monthly Fees: Some membership plans, such as those offered by EVCS and Electrify America, involve a monthly subscription fee that can be beneficial for frequent users.
- Included Energy: Plans like EVCS’s offer a set amount of kWh per month, which can significantly lower costs for regular users.
In summary, membership plans can lower the cost of public EV charging by providing discounts, eliminating additional fees, and offering convenient access to multiple charging networks. However, the specific benefits depend on the provider’s plan and the user’s charging habits.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-do-membership-plans-affect-the-cost-of-using-public-ev-charging-stations/
