For renters considering an electric vehicle, the biggest hurdle is usually not a car’s range, but access to charging.
A question from one Los Angeles-area apartment resident brought that issue into focus as they asked other EV drivers how they manage without a home charger. The replies suggested that public-only charging can work in a dense city, but it usually depends on planning ahead, keeping a few apps handy, and building charging into regular errands.
Here’s what to know
In a Reddit thread posted to the site’s r/EVCharging community, the original poster asked: “Anyone in the LA area out here charging on public chargers only?”
The OP added more context: “I’m looking to get an EV but live in an apartment building without access to a charger. How do you all go about dealing with public charging exclusively? Do you have a million apps on your phone? Any tips and tricks are greatly appreciated.”
Because public charging is relatively widespread in Los Angeles, commenters said the city is one of the easier places in the country to rely on it. Several pointed to Level 2 curbside options accessible through the FLO and Ampup apps, with one commenter saying rates are $0.40 per kilowatt-hour.
For drivers who have done it themselves, proximity seemed to matter as much as anything else. One commenter explained that having a curbside charger near their apartment made the arrangement manageable, adding: “I’d drive the car over, plug in, and walk home.”
Another user offered a more practical take on the app situation, explaining, “You don’t really need a million charging apps on your phone. You need two to four,” before diving into their favorites.
More background
Charging access remains one of the biggest barriers for renters hoping to switch from gas-powered vehicles to EVs.
Drivers with garages can often plug in overnight, but apartment residents usually have to rely on public infrastructure that can vary widely in cost, speed, and reliability.
Rather than following one fixed routine, many public-charging drivers said they plan around errands and keep backup options in mind. One commenter said they charge while grocery shopping because it “take me longer to shop than charge.”
Another advised people to scout several nearby options before buying an EV, especially if they plan to skip home charging altogether.
Prices were another recurring theme, with some drivers pointing to cheaper windows and membership discounts. One commenter in Long Beach, California, said an Electrify America membership and charging before 10 a.m. at $0.36 per kilowatt-hour can get an Ioniq 5 to 80% for “less than $23.” Another commenter described a Tesla driver paying $0.20 per kilowatt-hour after 10 p.m.
Even when fast-charging costs more than slower curbside charging, one public-charging user summed up the trade-off by saying: “While it costs more to fast charge it aint $7 a gallon!”
What can be done?
Commenters recommended researching charging options before signing any papers. In practice, that means checking the places you already go. Commenters recommended using PlugShare to map stations near home and regular stops, then confirming there are at least two or three dependable choices nearby.
The app issue may be less overwhelming than it seems at first. One commenter said ChargePoint can cover multiple networks through roaming agreements, while Tesla and Electrify America may still require their own systems. Some stations also accept credit card payments, which can reduce the number of apps you need.
The car itself can also make a big difference in how manageable public charging feels. Commenters noted that faster-charging EVs can make a major difference, and one commenter suggested asking whether a job offers EV charging. For some non-Tesla drivers, a Tesla membership and compatible adapter may also expand the number of usable chargers.
Where can I learn more?
These stories dig deeper into the charging challenges facing renters and other drivers without a place to plug in at home.
• Across the U.S., would-be buyers say free apartment charging options are getting harder to find.
• One condominium resident found EV ownership without home charging workable only with careful planning.
• For apartment dwellers, most charging still happens at home overnight, leaving renters at a disadvantage.
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