As automakers release a growing number of electric vehicles (EVs), they've been seeking ways to persuade prospective buyers that charging them won't be a hassle.
A 2021 survey from J.D. Power found that range was top of mind for consumers considering an EV purchase. The survey also found that more than half of new car buyers are considering an electric vehicle as their next purchase.
Since 2017, Electrify America, one of the nation's largest, has been installing public charging stations across the country. The company is a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group of America, which handles North American operations for the Volkswagen Group.
Many EV sellers offer complimentary charging sessions to new EV buyers at Electrify America stations as part of an incentive package.
Most Electrify America stations are equipped with DC fast chargers, which are capable of delivering higher voltage to speed up charging times. Currently, the highest power that an Electrify America station can deliver is 350 kilowatts.
Here's a rundown of all of the companies that have struck deals with Electrify America.
Audi
In 2018, in anticipation of the release of the 2019 Audi e-tron SUV, Audi of America announced that buyers would receive 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of charging at Electrify America stations over four years.
More recently, buyers of the company's new 2022 Audi e-tron GT all-electric sedan will be able to take advantage of complimentary DC fast charging for three years.
For the recent model of the e-tron, two years of complimentary DC fast charging is available.
BMW
As the German automaker's 2022 BMW iX SUV and the 2022 BMW i4 sedan reach dealerships, Electrify America will provide those customers with two years of complimentary 30-minute charging sessions at any of their stations.
Fisker
The eponymous EV company started by automotive designer Henrik Fisker announced an Electrify America partnership in 2019.
When its Fisker Ocean SUV goes into production later this year, it will come with a free miles package, guaranteeing a certain amount of free charging at any Electrify America station.
Ford
The two companies announced in 2020 that buyers of Ford's Mustang Mach-E all-electric crossover would receive 250 kWh of free DC fast charging at any Electrify America station.
That complimentary 250 kWh can be accessed through an owner's FordPass Rewards app. The Mustang Mach-E uses a plug and charge system to bypass verifying what type of EV you are plugging in, skipping any card swipes or other validation methods.
Genesis
As Hyundai's premium line prepares for the release of the 2023 Genesis GV60, the marque has partnered with Electrify America to offer complimentary 30-minute charging sessions to new owners for three years.
At the 350-kilowatt chargers the GV60 can go from 10 to 80 percent in just 18 minutes. In total the base model comes with 248 miles of all-electric range.
Harley-Davidson
Launched in 2019, the motorcycle company's LiveWire electric motorcycle partnered with Electrify America to offer drivers the per-minute equivalent of 500 kWh of complimentary charging over two years.
Hyundai
In the run-up to the release of the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, the company announced that buyers of that vehicle would receive two years of unlimited 30-minute complimentary charging sessions.
The Ioniq 5's 77.4-kWh battery is able to charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in less than 20 minutes when connected to a 350-kW charger.
A separate agreement gives drivers of the 2021 Hyundai Kona EV and 2021 Hyundai Ioniq EV 250 kWh of complimentary charging.
Jeep
When the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid (PHEV) arrived in dealerships in 2021, the Stellantis brand and Electrify America announced a partnership to create the Jeep 4xe Charging Network. The network installed Level 2 charging stations at Jeep Badge of Honor off-road trailheads around the U.S.
Through a custom mobile app built by Electrify America, drivers of the Wrangler 4xe have access to free charging at those stations.
Kia
Buyers of the 2022 Kia EV6 all-electric car will have 1,000 kWh of complimentary charging at any U.S. Electrify America Station.
Owners can take advantage of their allotment of complimentary charging for three years from their date of purchase.
Lucid
A year before the EV startup began making deliveries on its 2022 Lucid Air Dream Edition sedan, the company announced that it had partnered with Electrify America to give its drivers three years of complimentary charging.
With deliveries of the Lucid Air beginning late last year, that agreement is still in place.
Mercedes-Benz
With the release of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS, the German luxury automaker announced that owners would receive two years of complimentary 30 minute DC fast charging sessions.
Working through the Mercedes Me Charge app, owners would be able to connect to Electrify America charging stations automatically without having to take verification steps.
Polestar
In the fall of 2021, the electric carmaker with Volvo roots announced an agreement with Electrify America that applies to owners of the Polestar 2 for the 2021 and 2022 model years.
New buyers and those who've purchased a Polestar vehicle since its launch will receive two years of complimentary 30-minute DC fast charging sessions.
Porsche
In 2019, as Porsche prepared to launch the all-electric Taycan, the company formed a partnership with Electrify America to give buyers three years of complimentary charging at all of its stations.
That agreement is still in place and applies to the sedan, the Cross Turismo and Sport Turismo variants.
Volkswagen
With the release of the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4, the company announced that buyers would receive three years of complimentary unlimited charging sessions at Electrify America stations.
For the 2022 model year, the company says that drivers get three years of complimentary 30-minute charging sessions.
Volvo
Last year, the Swedish carmaker announced that with the release of the 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge, buyers of that model and the 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge would be able to take advantage of 240 kWh of complimentary charging at all Electrify America stations.
For model year 2023, electric Volvo cars will come with a complimentary three-year 250 kWh DC fast charging pass with Electrify America, as well as a subsequent 12-month Electrify America Pass+ membership.
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