One Giant Leap Into the World of EV Ownership

[Logan]

We wanted to run that exact path (plus some driving south on the 15 from SLC) last year, but other obligations got in the way of that trip. We’re hoping to make a trip up along part of that path and then into the Rockies and into Canada later this year.

I'm sure a road tripping pro like you will have no issues.

My one takeaway from that route, is I would try to avoid the Electrify America chargers in Huntington Oregon next time. Really expensive ($0.64/kwh iirc), only 3 out of 4 were working, and not my favorite stop in general. So we skipped it on the way home.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Hi, what is the source for this map? My google-fu is failing me and I'd like to check it out more closely
Thanks

Oh, I forgot to respond to the second-half.
I don’t currently have a server providing this map for others to investigate, but if there was enough demand, it might be something I can put together. I haven’t done a lot of GIS web services work, so it might be a pain, but QGIS may provide some tools to make it easier to publish. I’m not sure. I haven’t investigated it in detail.

 

[cyure]

Oh, I forgot to respond to the second-half.
I don’t currently have a server providing this map for others to investigate, but if there was enough demand, it might be something I can put together. I haven’t done a lot of GIS web services work, so it might be a pain, but QGIS may provide some tools to make it easier to publish. I’m not sure. I haven’t investigated it in detail.

You need to figure out a way to monetize all of this.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

You need to figure out a way to monetize all of this.

The problem is that as soon as I do that I stop doing the fun things because then they become jobs.

 

[cyure]

The problem is that as soon as I do that I stop doing the fun things because then they become jobs.

True.

 

[apex96]

I am the source.

I took the DCFC locations registered in the Federal Alternative Fuels Database and then wrote software to map 50-mile drives from each of those locations.

There are some faults with this map. First, it doesn’t include every DCFC, because not every DCFC is registered with the database. Second, it doesn’t exclude some of the Tesla SCs that are not available to non-Teslas; these aren’t well-identified in the database. Third, 50 miles is the longest range I could calculate (for the thousands of locations) on my server system in less than a week. Longer distances require that I take time away from contracted computing work.

Interesting thing about the Alternative Fuels data is that it considers anything over 50 kW to be DCFC... While true that's a really slow DCFC and the same goes for 150 kW stations as well. WV is mostly comprised of 50 - 250 kW stations and primarily is serviced by Tesla stations with V2 chargers so they're locked into only Tesla's... The only true fast charger in the state is located centrally in Flatwoods, WV and it's a Pilot/Flying J Evgo station with 350 kW output...

 

[Logan]

Interesting thing about the Alternative Fuels data is that it considers anything over 50 kW to be DCFC... While true that's a really slow DCFC and the same goes for 150 kW stations as well. WV is mostly comprised of 50 - 250 kW stations and primarily is serviced by Tesla stations with V2 chargers so they're locked into only Tesla's... The only true fast charger in the state is located centrally in Flatwoods, WV and it's a Pilot/Flying J Evgo station with 350 kW output...
View attachment 16560

Oh, thats interesting. I've mostly ignored Tesla Superchargers in my searches for DCFC so far.

Also, I will note that the while 50kw chargers are "technically" fast charging... for your average EV on the road today, you're talking over an hour of charging time, maybe up into the 2-3hr time range.

I charged briefly at a 50kw charger when I was on my roadtrip (at a dealership, who let me charge for free after I couldn't get the thing to work with plug and charge). And it showed an almost 2hr charge time, and I was only at like 30% at the time.

Mostly just mentioning for the non-EV owners out there reading this. 50KW chargers are functional, but not the "charge while you get lunch or go to the bathroom and get out on the road again" sort of chargers. For that experience you're going to want something more in the 150kw and up range.

I mentioned a 2hr charge time on the 50kw charger. On a 350kw charger, I can charge from 10-80% in 24min. Thats a massive difference.

 

[apex96]

Oh, thats interesting. I've mostly ignored Tesla Superchargers in my searches for DCFC so far.

Also, I will note that the while 50kw chargers are "technically" fast charging... for your average EV on the road today, you're talking over an hour of charging time, maybe up into the 2-3hr time range.

I charged briefly at a 50kw charger when I was on my roadtrip (at a dealership, who let me charge for free after I couldn't get the thing to work with plug and charge). And it showed an almost 2hr charge time, and I was only at like 30% at the time.

Mostly just mentioning for the non-EV owners out there reading this. 50KW chargers are functional, but not the "charge while you get lunch or go to the bathroom and get out on the road again" sort of chargers. For that experience you're going to want something more in the 150kw and up range.

I mentioned a 2hr charge time on the 50kw charger. On a 350kw charger, I can charge from 10-80% in 24min. Thats a massive difference.

Yep, WV has DCFC stations but most non Tesla stations have outputs of 50 kW to 150 kW with most landing between 62 kW and 120 kW at Ford and Chevy dealerships along major interstate corridors. Unless you own a Tesla, WV really is like the Midwest in some respects, regarding true fast chargers, there's not much available... The state has really slow walked the NEVI program and resisted incentivizing any real build-out of fast charging in the state. Traveling through the state is doable, just wish there were more 350 kW + stations along interstates: I-64, I-66, I-68, I-70, I-79 that cross the state.

 

[J Alynn]

Yeah, I can only dream of having the DCFC density of anywhere east of the Mississippi. When I hear that WV “isn’t great” for DCFCs, I look at my map of 50-mile driving distance, see that there is almost no place in WV with roads that is farther than 50 miles from at least three DCFCs, and I just sigh with envy.

Here’s a map of the east coast and eastern interior states DCFC (as of January 2026) and their 50-mile driving distances.
Each of the purple crenulated outlines is a 50-mile driving polygon from a DCFC.
These layers are set at 33% opacity so if there are three or more on top of each other, the layer looks solid purple (with black outlines showing through). If there are fewer than 3, the purple becomes more transparent.
View attachment 16554

Some of our driving adventures in EVs over the past 4.5 years. The density of DCFCs has increased substantially since we started driving EVs.
Many of our adventures are into places where there aren’t any DCFCs within 100 miles driving distance.
View attachment 16555


There’s a huge disparity between east and west of (approximately) the Mississippi. Of course, there’s also a huge human-density difference, so that makes sense.

View attachment 16556

Sadly I think the mindset of the population also influences that as I’m sure EVs are the strong minority in the mid and south west

 

[apex96]

With the exception of my yearly trip to NW Maine (which I'll probably never make in my own vehicle), I think my only frequent trips that would require a bit more planning for charging would be to Morgantown, WV (Via I-68), and Tennessee on I-81. And I-81 now has a Buc-ees in VA!

Morgantown was my college home for 5 years, ha. I still go through there for work a lot, Not really much in the way of fast chargers there yet, unless you're a Tesla. Only 150+ KW stations are two Tesla locations, both at Sheetz gas stations and only one is open to non-Tesla vehicles (Sabraton exit off I-68 it looks like).

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Oh, thats interesting. I've mostly ignored Tesla Superchargers in my searches for DCFC so far.

Also, I will note that the while 50kw chargers are "technically" fast charging... for your average EV on the road today, you're talking over an hour of charging time, maybe up into the 2-3hr time range.

I charged briefly at a 50kw charger when I was on my roadtrip (at a dealership, who let me charge for free after I couldn't get the thing to work with plug and charge). And it showed an almost 2hr charge time, and I was only at like 30% at the time.

Mostly just mentioning for the non-EV owners out there reading this. 50KW chargers are functional, but not the "charge while you get lunch or go to the bathroom and get out on the road again" sort of chargers. For that experience you're going to want something more in the 150kw and up range.

I mentioned a 2hr charge time on the 50kw charger. On a 350kw charger, I can charge from 10-80% in 24min. Thats a massive difference.

There are very few times, even in the Southwest charging deserts that I stop at a <125 kW DCFC with the goal of a truly quick charge. It’s usually a choice because I plan to have a sit-down dinner or otherwise spend an hour or two at that location for reasons other than charging.

But even if I need to stop because I’m low on charge and I am not interested in staying long, a 25 minute stop at a 50 kW charger will get me 21 kWh of charge. That’s 50 miles in my truck at freeway speeds. In most places, that's more than enough to get to a faster DCFC.

I think there’s a misconception that all chargers must be 250 kW or they’re useless. The problem is back to the point made earlier: We don’t have to stop to charge in the same way we used to refuel. Topping off, adding a bit here and a bit there, slow overnight “trickle” charging are all useful ways of adding range to the vehicle.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Interesting thing about the Alternative Fuels data is that it considers anything over 50 kW to be DCFC... While true that's a really slow DCFC and the same goes for 150 kW stations as well. WV is mostly comprised of 50 - 250 kW stations and primarily is serviced by Tesla stations with V2 chargers so they're locked into only Tesla's... The only true fast charger in the state is located centrally in Flatwoods, WV and it's a Pilot/Flying J Evgo station with 350 kW output...
View attachment 16560

Your query limits the chargers to 350 kW or more.
I’m not sure why one would do that? Most EVs can’t even take advantage of 350 kW chargers.

There are several 150+ kW chargers along I-77.
There are also several SCs open to non-T along I-64 and also the along PA, MD, and VA borders.

Are you saying none of those are operational?
Plugshare seems to think the ones in its database are mostly working.
I obviously don’t know WV’s on-the-ground situation, so if those chargers are offline, they database managers should be alerted. Plugshare makes it easy to send in reports. I wish I could afford access to their API to use as another check on my maps.

 

[apex96]

Your query limits the chargers to 350 kW or more.
I’m not sure why one would do that? Most EVs can’t even take advantage of 350 kW chargers.

There are several 150+ kW chargers along I-77.
There are also several SCs open to non-T along I-64 and also the along PA, MD, and VA borders.

Are you saying none of those are operational?
Plugshare seems to think the ones in its database are mostly working.
I obviously don’t know WV’s on-the-ground situation, so if those chargers are offline, they database managers should be alerted. Plugshare makes it easy to send in reports. I wish I could afford access to their API to use as another check on my maps.

I deliberately queried for 350+ kW stations for that one image. You're correct that there are 150+ kw Stations in the state and I did point that out in one of my posts. I come it at the gripe with no true "fast" chargers from a 400 volt pack perspective while long distance road tripping. Most of the DCFC stations in WV are not going to be able to provide the amperage to get full usage of their rated kW rating. As Logan mentioned and you've highlighted, you'll have to plan out longer stops around the slower chargers or top up just enough to get to another higher kW rated charger. Highlighting this just to say that the state is lacking compared to the surrounding states in making road trip charging planning an afterthought, here on the east coast.

Here's PlugShare's 120 - 350 + kW map showing only accessible charges (excludes Rivian and Tesla only locations).

I'm not trying to say that there is no accessible DCFC stations in WV, I'm trying to highlight how poor this state is doing in adding any sort of good infrastructure. This is also likely ensuring the populace relies on gas and probably helps the political narrative that EVs won't work in the state...

Based on the alternative fuels data sets, WV is the only state in the lower 48 with only one 350 kW DCFC station in the entire state....

I know with time the build-out will happen across the US and some major auto manufacturers are playing an outsized roll in trying to blanket the interstate corridors with DCFC stations.