San Diego follows closely in second place, boasting 7,582 chargers and a ratio of 432 residents per charger. Los Angeles, despite its massive total count, ranks third in density with 500 residents per charger. The disparity between the total count and the density highlights the challenges of scale; even with tens of thousands of plugs, the sheer size of the Los Angeles population means that the infrastructure is under more pressure than in the slightly less populous San Francisco area.
On a national level, the average density of charging infrastructure is showing signs of healthy growth. By the end of the year, the national average is expected to reach 1,143 residents per charger. This represents a 13.2 percent improvement over previous periods, signaling that the buildout of the network is currently outpacing the growth of the general population, even if it still struggles to keep up with the rapid pace of EV sales in certain markets.
The top of the list for charger density is dominated by cities that have integrated charging into the urban fabric, often placing stations in accessible public locations, shopping centers, and municipal parking garages. These "Most Friendly" cities typically benefit from a mix of private investment from charging networks and public funding from state and local governments.
Least-Friendly Cities For EVs
While the progress in coastal hubs and tech centers is encouraging, the iSeeCars study also highlights a sobering reality for many Americans living in the Midwest, the South, and the Mountain West. Despite the nationwide push for electrification, many major American cities are failing to provide adequate charging locations for their residents, creating a significant barrier to entry for those who cannot charge their vehicles at home.
The city of Louisville, Kentucky, sits at the bottom of the rankings among major metropolitan areas. With only 621 public chargers to serve its entire population, the city suffers from a ratio of 2,904 residents per charger. This level of scarcity can make EV ownership nearly impossible for apartment dwellers or those who rely on public infrastructure for their daily commute.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, faces similar challenges, with just 852 chargers available, resulting in 2,716 residents per station. Texas, a state known for its massive highway systems and car-centric culture, also sees two of its major hubs on the "least friendly" list. San Antonio has a ratio of 2,666 residents per charger, while Houston sits at 2,453. Interestingly, while these cities struggle, the state of Texas as a whole does not rank among the bottom ten states for total charging infrastructure—that dubious honor belongs to Alaska.
