Public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure has grown rapidly nationwide thanks to federal, state, and private investment, with hundreds of thousands of public ports available across tens of thousands of locations. Publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations are tracked by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center based on automated feeds from charging networks and stakeholders. Alternative Fuels Data Center
But the distribution of chargers isn’t uniform. Some metropolitan areas have far more charging ports per resident than others. That difference matters for everyday EV drivers and for the broader transition to electric mobility.
In this article, we look at public EV charging density (defined as the number of public charging ports per 100,000 residents) for U.S. core-based statistical areas (CBSAs). We show the most EV-dense metros, the most EV-sparse metros, and explore what these patterns say about the EV infrastructure transition.
How We Measured EV Charging Density
We used public EV charging station data that includes all known public charging ports (Level 2 and DC fast) from the Alternative Fueling Station Locator. AFDC API docs
Charging density is:
public charging ports ÷ metro population × 100,000
- Public charging ports: number of EVSE charger ports at stations that are publicly accessible
- Metro population: the most recent official CBSA population estimate
This metric does not capture at-home or private workplace chargers. It provides a standardized way to compare publicly available infrastructure across regions.
Top 10 Most EV-Dense Metros
These metros have the highest number of public charging ports per 100,000 residents.
Across the top of this ranking, you’ll notice patterns: metros with early EV adoption, proactive state policy support, and dense urban cores tend to lead the nation in charger availability.
Top 10 Most EV-Sparse Metros (States Only)
At the other end of the scale, these metro areas have the lowest public charger counts relative to population. To keep the list focused on the 50 states (and avoid “apples vs oranges” comparisons), we exclude Puerto Rico from this table.
These metros tend to be:
- Less densely populated
- In regions where EV adoption has lagged
- More reliant on at-home charging options
Sparse does not necessarily mean “behind.” In places where many residents have private garages and home chargers, public infrastructure may be less critical.
EV Charging Density Map
To see the spatial pattern, here’s the CBSA EV charging density mapped across the U.S.
The choropleth highlights regional differences. High density often appears along the West Coast, Northeast, and large Sun Belt metros, whereas interior and smaller metros show lower relative density.
What This Says About the EV Transition
EV chargers are spreading quickly. There are now hundreds of thousands of publicly accessible chargers nationwide, so most Americans live near one. Pew Research Center
But infrastructure is not uniform:
- Dense metro leaders show where early EV adoption and proactive investment have built robust public networks.
- Sparse areas highlight where EV infrastructure may lag or where private/home charging plays a larger role.
- Policy and income links matter: states with incentives and high EV purchase rates often see higher charger density.
This pattern suggests the EV transition is uneven but accelerating. Public infrastructure, while improving, still has gaps that matter for range confidence and broad adoption.
One nuance: much of the near-term charger growth has come from private-network buildout, while federal NEVI funds were still early in the “operational” phase across many states by early 2026.
What to Watch
- Growth in fast chargers vs level-2 ports
- Expansion in rural and smaller metros
- Apartment and curbside charging deployment
The nation’s public charging network has grown rapidly, but to support ambitious EV adoption goals, continued build-out across all metros will be essential.
Methodology & Sources
- Charging stations: Public EV charging ports and locations from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fueling Station Locator via the AFDC API. AFDC API docs
- Population: Latest official CBSA population estimates used for denominator.
- Infrastructure context: U.S. DOT briefing
Notes: Public charger counts include Level 2 and DC fast charging ports. Home and private workplace chargers are not included. “2025 YoY” is estimated using AFDC station open date to approximate ports open by end of 2024 vs end of 2025 (missing open dates are treated as already open to avoid overstating growth).
Explore Your Metro
Search any metro on USAviz to open its profile, then use the rankings and map above to compare EV charging density. (EV port metrics are shown in this Insight’s charts; place pages provide the broader context.)