The Supercharger Isn’t the Only Game in Town Anymore. A Guide to the US EV Charging Networks That Matter in 2026
Public charging is finally getting easier. Here’s who runs the plugs and what each network does best.
A few years ago, an EV road trip meant a backup plan for your backup plan. I charge a Tesla Model 3 and a Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV in the real world, and in my own charging, every major network has gotten noticeably better.
The numbers back that up. In the JD Power 2026 public charging study, the share of charging visits that ended without a charge fell to 12 percent in the most recent quarter, the lowest in the study’s six years. Satisfaction with fast chargers climbed in all 10 categories it measures.
The other big change is who you’ll find at the plug. Tesla still runs the largest network, but newcomers backed by automakers now top the satisfaction rankings, and a retailer many people visit every week is building fast chargers in its parking lots. Here’s who runs the plugs, and what each one does best.
Tesla Supercharger Network. The biggest network by far, now open to many new EVs through the Tesla app.
Electrify America. Calls itself the largest open network, built for all brands, with Plug&Charge and a $7 monthly plan that saves about 25 percent.
EVgo. Nearly 4,000 public fast charging stalls, Autocharge+ for plug in and go, and a new deal to install Tesla Superchargers under its own name.
IONNA. Backed by eight automakers, up to 400 kW, pay by card with no app or idle fees, and first in JD Power’s 2026 study.
Mercedes-Benz Charging Network. Open to every brand, up to 400 kW, both plug types at every stall.
Rivian Adventure Network. Built for Rivians, now open to other EVs at more than 95 percent of the network.
Walmart. Fast charging at 100 stores in 20 states, paid through the Walmart app.
Level 2 networks. Slower and best for long stops. ChargePoint is one of the biggest names.
Why Are Tesla Plugs Suddenly Everywhere?
The connector Tesla designed, called NACS and standardized as SAE J3400, is now the common plug in North America. Many 2025 and newer EVs from other brands, like the BMW iX3, come with it built in, so they need no adapter at a compatible Supercharger. The plug alone doesn’t grant access, though. The car’s maker has to have a deal with Tesla, and not every Supercharger is open to other brands. Eligible cars with the older CCS1 port use a DC adapter, and Tesla’s rules say it has to come from Tesla or the car’s manufacturer. Tesla prohibits third party adapters for safety reasons.
The plug change runs in both directions. IONNA, Mercedes-Benz, and Walmart offer both NACS and CCS connectors, and Electrify America, EVgo, and Rivian are adding NACS cables to stations that were built with CCS. If you’re shopping for a new EV, a native NACS port gives you the most places to plug in without an adapter. Some older EVs, including earlier Nissan Leafs, use a third plug called CHAdeMO, which is becoming harder to find at new fast charging sites.
Tesla Supercharger Network
Tesla says it runs more than 80,000 Superchargers worldwide, and the network is still the one every other network gets measured against. Teslas plug in and charge automatically, with no card to swipe, and the Tesla app shows how many stalls are open before you arrive.
For everyone else, there are three kinds of Supercharger sites. Some are still Tesla only. Some have a built in Magic Dock adapter so any EV can charge. The rest are open to the 21 automakers Tesla lists as having access, including Ford, GM, Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Rivian, and Toyota. Drivers of other brands usually start the session in the Tesla app, which shows which sites work with your car, and a limited number of sites also take payment at the charger.
You don’t need a membership to charge another brand of EV at a Supercharger. A Supercharging Membership in the Tesla app lets you pay the same price Tesla owners pay, which is worth it if you Supercharge often. Prices vary by site and some sites have peak and off peak rates. Congestion fees apply to every brand at busy sites, so unplug when you’re done. Tesla’s top speed of 325 kW is for the Cybertruck at the newest V4 stations, while Tesla’s cars top out at 250 kW there. Those V4 stations also have longer cables, which helps other EVs whose charge port isn’t where a Tesla’s is.
Electrify America
Electrify America calls itself the largest open fast charging network in the US, and it reports more than 6,200 chargers at more than 1,200 stations across North America. It’s open to every brand, which is why it’s the network many owners of other EVs know best. Its Hyper-Fast chargers deliver up to 350 kW and its Ultra-Fast chargers up to 150 kW, and some side by side pairs share power, so each drops to 150 kW when both are in use.
Plug&Charge works with many newer EVs, so you plug in and the car handles payment. A Pass+ membership costs $7 a month in the Electrify America app and saves about 25 percent on charging, by the network’s estimate, so it pays off if you charge there often. Electrify America is testing NACS at a limited set of stations, with 11 live and four more in New Jersey and Pennsylvania on the way. A few of those have converted fully to NACS, so CCS drivers should check the plug before heading to one. Electrify America says it expects to keep supporting both plug types.
EVgo
EVgo reported 5,380 fast charging stalls in operation at the end of June 2026. Of those, 3,930 make up its own public network, and the rest are fleet chargers and partner sites supported through a program called EVgo eXtend. It had 240 NACS connectors in service at the end of July, and it’s replacing older equipment as it adds new stalls. Its newer stations use 350 kW chargers, while some older sites mix in lower power levels. EVgo’s Autocharge+ lets many cars with a CCS port start charging just by plugging in, after a one time setup.
The big news is a deal with Tesla. EVgo will deploy EVgo owned and EVgo branded V4 Superchargers starting this year, with the first sites expected to open by the end of 2026. Each site will have up to 20 stalls near shops and restaurants, plus Tesla’s Magic Dock, so cars with either NACS or CCS ports can plug in without an adapter, and longer cables that reach any charge port. The sites will also show up in Tesla’s in car navigation. These are new sites, not a conversion of EVgo’s existing network. It’s an unusual partnership. Tesla hardware, under the EVgo name.
IONNA
IONNA is the network backed by eight automakers, BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Toyota, and it’s one of the fastest growing names on this list. In September 2026 it reported more than 180 live sites, more than double its size at the start of the year, and it ranked first among fast charging networks in JD Power’s 2026 study with a score of 807.
Every IONNA Rechargery offers charging rated up to 400 kW and both NACS and CCS connectors. Each dispenser can split that power between two cars, so each one may get less when both are charging. There’s no IONNA app and no subscription. You can tap or swipe a credit card at the charger, use Plug & Charge with a supported car, or start through one of 19 partner apps, and several founding automakers offer charging discounts through their own apps. IONNA says it charges no idle fees or session fees, so you pay only for the energy. Most sites have restrooms and food or drinks and stay open around the clock. Through a partnership with Circle K, IONNA has already brought more than 40 Circle K locations online.
Mercedes-Benz Charging Network
Launched in 2023 and open to every brand, the Mercedes-Benz Charging Network reports more than 775 charging points across 25 US states and British Columbia, with charging at up to 400 kW. Every location has both CCS1 and NACS connectors. Mercedes says a suitable EV with an 800 volt system can add up to 200 miles within 10 minutes there under ideal conditions, though the result depends on the car. That’s where an 800 volt car earns its keep.
It placed second in JD Power’s 2026 fast charging rankings, with a score of 797. The network is smaller than the big names, so check whether it’s on your route, but where it is, it’s one of the nicest places to plug in.
Rivian Adventure Network
Rivian built its network for its own trucks and SUVs, then opened it up. Rivian’s latest quarterly filing says more than 95 percent of the network is open to other brands. Its chargers deliver up to 300 kW, and Rivian has added tap to pay terminals, so drivers of other EVs don’t need an app. NACS cables are being added alongside the original CCS1 connectors.
The network ranked third in JD Power’s 2026 study with a score of 755.
Walmart
The newest big player sells groceries. In August 2026, Walmart opened its 100th company owned fast charging site, bringing its own chargers to 100 stores in 20 states. Most locations have 8 to 16 stalls, charging tops out at 400 kW, and the chargers offer both CCS and NACS plugs.
You start and pay for a session in the Walmart app, and Walmart+ members get discounted rates. Walmart says more payment options are coming as the network grows. For many drivers, the appeal is simple. You were probably going to stop there anyway.
What About Level 2 Networks?
Level 2 chargers are the slower public plugs you’ll find at offices, hotels, garages, and shopping centers. They add range over hours rather than minutes, so they work best when you’re parked anyway. ChargePoint is one of the biggest names here, and it also supplies some fast chargers. Many ChargePoint stations are owned by the businesses that host them, so prices and speeds vary from site to site. Blink and many smaller operators run Level 2 stations too.
JD Power found public Level 2 satisfaction fell 12 points to 595 in 2026, mostly over payment and ease of charging. If you can charge at home, that’s still the cheapest and easiest option, and public Level 2 makes the most sense at a hotel or a long day at work.
The Networks Side by Side
| Network | Size or access, as the network reports it | Top charging speed it lists | Plugs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Supercharger Network | More than 80,000 Superchargers worldwide | 325 kW (Cybertruck at V4 sites) | NACS, plus Magic Dock at some sites |
| Electrify America | More than 6,200 chargers at 1,200+ stations in North America | 350 kW (150 kW at some chargers) | CCS, NACS at 11 pilot stations (some NACS only) |
| EVgo | 3,930 public stalls of 5,380 total (June 2026) | 350 kW at newer stations | CCS, 240 NACS connectors |
| IONNA | More than 180 live sites (Sept 2026) | 400 kW | NACS and CCS |
| Mercedes-Benz | More than 775 charging points in 25 states and BC (June 2026) | 400 kW | NACS and CCS at every location |
| Rivian Adventure Network | More than 95 percent of the network open to all EVs | 300 kW | CCS, NACS being added |
| Walmart | 100 stores in 20 states (Aug 2026) | 400 kW | NACS and CCS |
The networks don’t measure their size the same way. Some count individual chargers or stalls, some count sites, and Tesla gives a worldwide total, so the size column shows each network’s own figure rather than a ranking. A charger’s listed power is its maximum, not a promise. Your car’s own charging limit, the battery’s temperature and charge level, and the station’s equipment decide the speed you actually get.
My Take
If you drive a Tesla, the Supercharger network is still the easiest answer, and it’s open to many other new EVs now too. If you don’t, you have more good options than ever. IONNA, Mercedes-Benz, and Rivian top the latest owner survey for how a charging stop feels, Electrify America and EVgo cover a lot of ground, and Walmart is turning a weekly errand into a charging stop.
The weak spot is consistency. Prices, apps, and plug types still vary from network to network, and public Level 2 is falling behind. But the trend is the right one, and it matches what I see at the plug.
The plug wars are winding down. Now the networks are competing on snacks and restrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can other EVs use a Tesla Supercharger?
Yes, at many Superchargers, if your car’s maker has access. Tesla lists 21 automakers. EVs with a built in NACS port plug in directly, and eligible CCS1 cars need a DC adapter from Tesla or the car’s maker. Many drivers start the session in the Tesla app.
Do I need a membership to charge at a Supercharger?
No. A Supercharging Membership is optional and lets drivers of other brands pay the same price Tesla owners pay.
Which charging network ranked highest for satisfaction in 2026?
IONNA, with 807 points in JD Power’s 2026 public charging study, followed by the Mercedes-Benz Charging Network at 797 and the Rivian Adventure Network at 755.
What is NACS?
NACS is the connector Tesla designed, now standardized as SAE J3400. Tesla calls it the most common charging standard in North America, and many new EVs from other brands use it.
Do I need an app to charge at IONNA?
No. IONNA has no app or subscription. You can pay with a credit card at the charger, use Plug & Charge with a supported car, or use one of its 19 partner apps.
Is public Level 2 charging worth it?
For long stops, yes. Level 2 adds range over hours, so it fits hotels, workplaces, and long shopping trips better than a road trip stop.
