Charlotte skyline at dusk with skyscrapers and park foreground — Brandon Walker/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

City guide

EV charging in Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte's EV landscape blends city policy, utility initiatives, and private networks. The Unified Development Ordinance requires EV-capable and EVSE-installed spaces in certain new developments, reinforcing access as the city grows. North Carolina's NEVI plan steers federal dollars to highway-adjacent DC fast charging, complementing local Level 2 options in garages, campuses, and mixed-use areas.

Coverage concentrates in Uptown and South End, with additional clusters around university, hospital, and retail corridors. Major networks include ChargePoint, Tesla, Electrify America, and EVgo. The PoleVolt curbside pilot, which uses streetlight-powered Level 2 chargers, extends access on residential blocks, while Duke Energy offers a charger rental program and an EV Charger Prep Credit to reduce installation hurdles.

PlugMapper consolidates verified locations, connector types, hours, and access notes from municipal and utility sources, helping drivers match dwell time to charging speed and avoid queues during events and peak periods.

Charlotte, North Carolina EV charging snapshot

Site hosts and residents can leverage Charlotte's UDO EV-ready rules, Duke Energy's charger rental and prep credit programs, and North Carolina's NEVI funds for corridor DC fast charging. https://charlotteudo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/UDO-Article-19.-Off-Street-Vehicle-Bicycle-Parking-May2023.pdf

EV-ready requirements (UDO)

EV-capable + EVSE-installed

Charlotte's UDO requires EV-capable and EVSE-installed spaces for new multifamily, mixed-use residential, hotels, and large parking facilities (Article 19). Effective June 1, 2023. https://www.charlottenc.gov/Growth-and-Development/Planning-and-Development/Planning/Unified-Development-Ordinance

NEVI formula funds

$109.0M (FY2022-2026)

FHWA lists $109,024,196 for North Carolina across FY2022-FY2026 to deploy corridor DC fast charging. https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act/evs_5year_nevi_funding_by_state.cfm

Curbside pilot

PoleVolt streetlight L2

Charlotte partnered with UNC Charlotte, Duke Energy, and Centralina to pilot pole-mounted curbside EV charging using existing streetlights. Two pilot sites deployed. https://centralina.org/success-stories/polevolt-collaborating-for-clean-equitable-transportation/

Utility programs (NC)

Charger rental & prep credit

Duke Energy launched an EV charger rental program (Jan. 29, 2024) and offers an EV Charger Prep Credit to offset installation costs. https://news.duke-energy.com/releases/duke-energy-launches-ev-charger-rental-program-in-north-carolina

Plan charging routes with the PlugMapper map

Use PlugMapper to compare curbside, garage, and highway-adjacent fast chargers across Uptown, South End, and university areas by connector and access window.

Filter curbside Level 2 to find PoleVolt pilot locations on residential blocks; confirm posted time limits and overnight parking rules before you go.
Show DC fast near I-77 and I-85 interchanges for quick top-ups before regional trips; prioritize NEVI-funded sites for reliability and amenities.
Use connector filters to match CCS, NACS, or J1772 and check live status at popular garages near Spectrum Center, convention venues, and South End.

Open the interactive map

Map coverage refreshes every six hours from AFDC and local utility feeds. Availability and pricing may change; confirm with the station operator before your trip.

Top EV charging stations in Charlotte, North Carolina

Ordered by total public charging ports available, these five locations provide the greatest capacity for EV drivers across the city.

Need overnight charging? Toggle the map to Level 2 sites and look for garage locations with 24/7 access. Driving for hire? The fast-charge filter highlights plugs that meet local TLC or taxi requirements.

PlugMapper combines operator feeds, OpenStreetMap context, and user feedback. Spot an update? Open the station detail page to share changes so we can alert the network owner.

Incentives and rebates for installing EV chargers

City initiatives

Unified Development Ordinance - EV Charging Requirements
UDO Article 19 requires EV-capable and EVSE-installed spaces in specified new developments, expanding baseline access as projects are built. https://read.charlotteudo.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/Charlotte-Unified-Development-Ordinance-Full-June-17-2024.pdf
View program details
SEAP - Development Bonus for EV Charging
The Zoning Administration Manual outlines development bonus points for installing EV charging above UDO minimums in eligible districts. https://www.charlottenc.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/1/streets-and-neighborhoods/housing/documents/udo-zoning-administration-manual_final_2025-01-22-3.pdf
View program details

Utility programs

Duke Energy - EV Charger Rental (NC)
Residential and business customers in North Carolina can lease an EV charger for a low monthly cost covering hardware, warranty, and maintenance. https://news.duke-energy.com/releases/duke-energy-launches-ev-charger-rental-program-in-north-carolina
View program details
Duke Energy - EV Charger Prep Credit
A one-time credit to help cover panel or circuit work to prepare a home or business for an EV charger; eligibility and amounts vary. https://www.duke-energy.com/home/products/ev-complete/charger-prep-credit
View program details

State & federal support

NCDOT - NEVI Plan (2024 Update)
The state plan guides placement of reliable DC fast charging along Alternative Fuel Corridors and outlines engagement for Phase II funding. https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/environmental/climate-change/NEVI/Documents/ncdot-electric-vehicle-deployment-plan.pdf
View program details
NC DEQ - VW Settlement EVSE Grants
State grants have funded DC fast and Level 2 charging statewide via the VW Mitigation Settlement programs. https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/air-quality/motor-vehicles-and-air-quality/volkswagen-settlement/volkswagen-settlement-ev-charging-infrastructure
View program details

Neighborhood coverage

Uptown (Center City)

Dense Level 2 in public garages and mixed-use towers; DC fast nearby along I-277 and I-77 supports event nights around Spectrum Center and the convention district.

South End

Retail and multifamily growth drives networked Level 2. Expect peak demand evenings; consider DC fast on major corridors for quick turnarounds.

University City

Campus and office parks host Level 2; fast charging sits along I-85 for regional travel between Concord and Uptown.

NoDa/Plaza Midwood

Destination dining and arts venues provide Level 2 options; curbside pilots expand access on select blocks without off-street parking.

Ballantyne

Office campuses and retail centers offer Level 2; fastest highway access to DC fast charging via I-485 interchanges.

Trusted resources

Frequently asked questions

Do new developments have to include EV charging?

Yes. The UDO requires EV-capable and EVSE-installed spaces for specified project types such as multifamily, hotels, and large parking facilities. https://charlotteudo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/UDO-Article-19.-Off-Street-Vehicle-Bicycle-Parking-May2023.pdf

Is curbside charging available in Charlotte?

A pilot called PoleVolt uses streetlights for curbside Level 2 charging and has deployed initial sites to test the model. https://centralina.org/success-stories/polevolt-collaborating-for-clean-equitable-transportation/

What utility support exists for chargers?

Duke Energy offers a charger rental program and an EV Charger Prep Credit to offset installation work, subject to eligibility. https://news.duke-energy.com/releases/duke-energy-launches-ev-charger-rental-program-in-north-carolina

How is highway fast charging funded?

North Carolina receives NEVI formula funds to build reliable DC fast charging along designated corridors statewide. https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act/evs_5year_nevi_funding_by_state.cfm

Where can I find on-street parking rules?

The city's parking program outlines on-street management updates; PlugMapper lists EV-signed spaces with time limits where applicable. https://www.charlottenc.gov/Streets-and-Neighborhoods/Parking-and-Streets/Parking

Market insights shaping local charging

UDO sets a durable EV-ready baseline

By requiring EV-capable and EVSE-installed spaces, Charlotte reduces retrofits and ensures new projects accommodate charging demand as EV adoption increases. https://charlotteudo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/UDO-Article-19.-Off-Street-Vehicle-Bicycle-Parking-May2023.pdf

Curbside pilots fill residential gaps

Streetlight-powered PoleVolt sites extend charging to blocks without driveways or garages, helping renters and rowhouse residents. https://centralina.org/success-stories/polevolt-collaborating-for-clean-equitable-transportation/

NEVI anchors regional DC fast charging reliability

Formula funds concentrate high-power charging near interstates, complementing destination Level 2 in Uptown and South End. https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act/evs_5year_nevi_funding_by_state.cfm

Utility programs reduce upfront friction

Rental options and prep credits from Duke Energy lower equipment and electrical work barriers for homes and small businesses. https://news.duke-energy.com/releases/duke-energy-launches-ev-charger-rental-program-in-north-carolina

Find reliable EV charging across Charlotte

Compare curbside pilots, garage Level 2, and NEVI-adjacent fast chargers in one map.

Open the Charlotte map About PlugMapper