City guide
EV charging in San Diego, California
San Diego's EV charging ecosystem spans city facilities, private sites, and highway corridors. The City's Public Electric Vehicle Charging Program uses a concession approach to expand chargers on municipal property, while streamlined permitting guides support home and workplace installs. State funding and utility make-ready programs help accelerate build-out across neighborhoods and employment centers.
Public charging distribution is concentrated in coastal corridors, major shopping districts, universities, and interchanges along I-5, I-8, and I-15. Major networks include ChargePoint, Tesla Supercharger, EVgo, Blink, Electrify America, and utility-owned curbside or site hosts. New fast charging funded by state programs aims to close gaps in underserved areas and along regional connectors.
PlugMapper aggregates station metadata and status from network and open data sources. Listings are refreshed regularly and cross-checked with official datasets, helping drivers find accurate connector counts, access hours, and pricing where provided.
San Diego, California EV charging snapshot
Funding comes from SDG&E make-ready rebates and California's Fast Charge California program; federal 30C tax credits may apply depending on site and census tract.
San Diego's Public EV Charging Program uses a concession model to install and operate chargers on City property (source: sandiego.gov).
SDG&E Power Your Drive for Workplaces and Multifamily can cover customer-side make-ready and eligible charger costs to expand Level 2 access (sdge.com).
The CEC Fast Charge California Project can fund up to 100% of eligible costs, capped at $100,000 per DC fast port (calevip.org).
Information Bulletin 187 outlines San Diego's EV charger permitting and inspection steps for residential and commercial sites (sandiego.gov).
Plan charging routes with the PlugMapper map
Use PlugMapper to filter San Diego chargers by connector, speed, and access to quickly find fast or Level 2 options near your route.
- Filter by DC fast power tiers to surface 150-350 kW sites along I-5, I-8 and SR-163, or switch to Level 2 for reliable overnight options.
- See live network availability where provided, plus connector types (CCS, NACS, CHAdeMO, J1772) and amenities like restrooms or 24-hour parking.
- Layer neighborhoods to locate chargers near beaches, Balboa Park, universities, and city facilities; save favorites for recurring commutes.
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 San Diego, California
Ordered by total public charging ports available, these five locations provide the greatest capacity for EV drivers across the city.
- Simone Little Italy1401 Union Street, San Diego, CA24 total portsOpConnect
- 6th & A Parking Garage - Tesla Supercharger1350 6th Avenue, San Diego, CA16 total portsTesla
- Intercontinental Hotel San Diego901 Bayfront Ct, San Diego, CA14 total portsOpConnect
- Sycuan 326 Broadway326 Broadway, San Diego, CA10 total portsPOWERFLEX
- Manchester Grand Hyatt1 Market Place, San Diego, CA9 total portsBlink Network
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
Funding comes from SDG&E make-ready rebates and California's Fast Charge California program; federal 30C tax credits may apply depending on site and census tract.
City initiatives
- Public Electric Vehicle Charging Program (PEVCP)
City concession enabling deployment of EV chargers at libraries, parks, and other municipal sites; improves public access but is not a direct rebate to private properties.
View program details
Utility programs
- SDG&E - Power Your Drive for Workplaces
Provides design support, make-ready construction, and eligible charger rebates to reduce Level 2 installation costs at workplaces and multifamily housing.
View program details
State & federal support
- CEC - Fast Charge California Project
Statewide incentives for publicly accessible DC fast charging and Level 2 in priority locations; can fund a large share of eligible equipment and installation costs.
View program details
Neighborhood coverage
Dense cluster of Level 2 and fast chargers near the convention center, hotels, and garages with walkable amenities and late-night access.
University and retail hubs offer Level 2 capacity with some DC fast options along major arterials for campus dwellers and coastal trips.
Regional shopping and stadium areas mix Level 2 and DC fast along I-8, providing convenient options for freeway hops and multi-hour errands.
Business parks and dining corridors host many Level 2 sites with expanding fast charging along SR-163 for workplace and fleet needs.
Beach districts feature growing Level 2 coverage at public lots and grocers, while fast charging clusters on inland corridors for quicker turnarounds.
Trusted resources
- City of San Diego - Public EV Charging Program
Explains the City's concession approach and where municipal chargers are being added.
Visit resource - SDG&E - Power Your Drive for Workplaces
Utility make-ready program details and eligibility for Level 2 installations.
Visit resource - Permit Bulletin 187 (EVCS)
Local permitting and inspection steps for EV charging projects.
Visit resource - California EV Laws & Incentives (AFDC)
Statewide incentives, rules, and utility offerings summarized by the U.S. DOE AFDC.
Visit resource
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to install a home Level 2 charger in San Diego?
Yes. The City's Information Bulletin 187 outlines permitting and inspection for residential and commercial EVCS projects, including necessary plans and code references.
Where are the best areas to find DC fast charging?
Corridors along I-5, I-8, and SR-163, plus major shopping centers and downtown garages, concentrate higher-power stations from Tesla, ChargePoint, EVgo, and Electrify America.
Can my HOA or apartment add EV chargers with utility help?
Yes. SDG&E's Power Your Drive for Workplaces supports multifamily installations with make-ready infrastructure and eligible charger rebates to offset costs.
What state funding exists for new fast chargers?
The California Energy Commission's Fast Charge California Project offers significant incentives for publicly accessible DC fast charging in priority locations.
Does PlugMapper show pricing and availability?
Where networks share data, PlugMapper displays live status and rates. Some sites list posted pricing only; verify onsite or in the network's app before charging.
Nearby cities
- Chula Vista, CA
- Carlsbad, CA
- Escondido, CA
Market insights shaping local charging
By using a concession to deploy chargers at City facilities, San Diego can scale public access without bearing all capital costs-ideal for parks, libraries, and recreation centers with predictable dwell times.
SDG&E's make-ready program covers panel upgrades and conduit runs on the customer side, narrowing the cost delta between retrofits and new construction installs at workplaces and multifamily properties.
CEC grants prioritize publicly accessible DC fast in underserved areas and along key routes, complementing private investment and reducing range anxiety for cross-county trips.
A dedicated EVCS bulletin standardizes submittals and inspections, shortening timelines for homeowners and site hosts and improving consistency across project types.
Find dependable EV charging across San Diego
Use PlugMapper to compare charging speeds, connectors, and amenities-and see incentives that can reduce installation costs.