Owning an electric car (EV) is easy in Plano, Texas, where there are close to 100 public charging stations in town. Over the last decade, Plano has invested heavily in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, taking part in one of the largest EV charging station rollouts ever. The result is easy access to ports throughout the city. Public charging stations are a great choice for electric vehicle drivers, especially when installing a system at home can be cost prohibitive.
Here, many of the charging stations run on Blink, Tesla, and ChargePoint networks, so there are plenty of options to accommodate various connector types, voltage requirements, and timing needs. Charge your car quickly, safely, and easily by knowing where to go.
Local EV Charging Stations in Plano, Texas
EV Charging Stations by Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine is licensed with CC0 1.0
- Level Two EV Charging Station at “North 40” Parking Lot: 1647 L Ave., Plano.
- Level Three Tesla Supercharger Charging Station at Legacy Town Center: 5725 Legacy Drive, Plano.
- Level Two EV Charging Station at 14th/J Parking Lot: 1295 J Ave., Plano.
- Level Two SemaConnect Charging Station at Evoke Apartments: 1025 Preston Road, Plano.
- Level Two EV Charging Station at CBRE: Parking Garage 1: 5801 Tennyson Parkway, Plano.
- Level Two Tesla Charging Station at La Quinta Inn and Suites: 6624 Communications Parkway, Plano.
- Level Two EV Charging Station at CBRE/Marriott Parking Garage: 5801 Tennyson Parkway, Plano.
- Level Two EV Charging Station at Kroger Store598: 9700 Coit Road, Plano.
- Level Two EV Charging Station at Maribelle Davis Library: 7501 Independence Parkway, Plano.
- Level Two EV Charging Station at Mid Park Center: 100 Midway Road, Plano.
- Level Two EV Charging Station at Oak Point Recreation Center: 6000 Jupiter Road, Plano.
- EV Charging Station at Russell Creek Park: Field “I” Parking Lot: 3500 McDermott Road, Plano.
- Level Two EV Charging Station at Twin Peaks Plano: 1700 N. Central Expressway, Plano.
- Level Two EV Charging Station at YMCA 59: 3300 McDermott Road, Plano.
- Level Two EV Charging Station at TI Spring Creek Building 1: West Lot: 6500 Chase Oaks Blvd., Plano.
- Level Two EV Charging Station at Carpenter Park Recreation Center: 6701 Coit Road, Plano.
- Level Two EV Charging Station at Cinemark West Plano: 3800 Dallas Parkway, Plano.
- Level Two EV Charging Station at Comfort Inn: 5021 W. Plano Parkway, Plano.
- Level Two EV Charging Station at Environmental Education Center: 4116 W. Plano Parkway, Plano.
Level One vs. Level Two vs. Level Three Charging Stations
There are three charging levels electric vehicle users can access: level one, two, and three. Plano, Texas, has primarily level-two and level-three charging stations. The levels apply to both EVs and plug-in hybrids. In general terms, the higher the level, the faster the charge. That said, how quickly a specific charging station works for you can depend on your EV. This is because different EVs have different power level allowances. Here’s a closer look at each of the levels:
Level One
A level-one charger uses J1772 and Tesla connectors. It delivers a 120-volt charge. Typically, it charges at a rate of three to five miles per hour. You might see this level charger in a residence, at a workplace, or at various places around town. These can be good for plug-in hybrids because those vehicles often have smaller batteries. That said, it can take lots of time to charge a battery using a level-one charger.
Level Two
Level two charges a little faster. It takes Tesla and J1772 connectors and can deliver power to a car at a rate of 12 to 80 mph, depending on the vehicle’s maximum charge rate. Many residential chargers are level twos. These charge stations can deliver anywhere from 208 to 240 volts.
Level Three
Level three’s highest charge level breaks into two categories: Tesla Supercharging and DC fast charging. The connectors for this station are Tesla, CHAdeMo, and Combo connectors. These can charge at a rate of 3 to 20 miles per minute.
How To Charge an Electric Car
Here’s how to charge an electric car:
1. Open the Charge Port
The first step to charging your car is to open the charge port. Some EVs have a touch screen inside the vehicle that lets you control the port. Other vehicles might have a touch feature on the charging port that allows you to open the port by hand.
2. Remove the Connector From the Dock
Next, remove the connector from the charging dock. Ensure the connector type is compatible with your vehicle. Teslas require an adaptor to charge on a J1772 charger.
3. Charge to the Correct Percentage
Many chargers are located conveniently outside business centers, workplaces, and shopping areas to give you time to charge your vehicle. If your EV has compatibility, you can assess your charge percentage from your smartphone to measure its charge percentage. Different vehicles charge at different rates, even if you’re using a fast charger. Sometimes, vehicles have specific allowances for how much power they can handle, so even if you’re using a high voltage station, your vehicle might not charge at a higher rate.
The charge amount you choose can depend on the amount of time you want to leave your car at the station, the station’s cost, or your driving needs. Some stations are free, while others might carry an expense per mile charged.
4. Press the Connector Button To Shut It Off
To remove the connector, press the connector button until it glows white. At this point, removing the connector from your vehicle is safe. Replace the connector and drive your newly charged vehicle.
As more and more electric cars come on the scene, we can expect an increased number of charging stations with improved charging receptivity. Plano’s charging stations make it easy and convenient to stay powered in your vehicle, but if you’ve ever had trouble finding a suitable location around town to charge your EV or have questions about purchasing an electric vehicle, let us know. We’re happy to answer your questions and share more information regarding the convenience and benefits of going electric.