What are the best free local EV charger directory sites for visitors searching in a new city?

Here are some of the best free local EV charger directory sites/apps for travelers or visitors looking for chargers in a new city:

1. PlugShare

• Best overall for local discovery
• Huge user-generated database of charging stations worldwide
• Strong filters for plug type, speed, access, payment, and amenities
• Includes photos, check-ins, and recent comments from other drivers, which is especially useful in unfamiliar cities

2. ChargeHub

• Good for North America
• Easy-to-use map with station details, connector types, and real-time availability where supported
• Often helpful for city-by-city searches and planning

3. Open Charge Map

• Best open/free global directory
• Community-driven and freely accessible
• Good coverage in many countries, though quality can vary by area
• Useful if you want an open-data option rather than a commercial app

4. EVnavigation

• More useful in Europe and some other regions
• Clean interface and solid station search
• Useful when you’re comparing charger options in a specific city

5. Google Maps

• Surprisingly useful for quick local searches
• Search “EV charging stations near me” or “EV charger”
• Best for convenience, though it may be less detailed or reliable than dedicated EV tools

6. ChargeFinder

• Good in parts of Europe and North America
• Helpful for finding station types and availability
• Nice for travelers who want a simple directory-style search

7. Electrify America / EVgo / other network apps

• Best if you specifically need that network
• Not broad directories, but useful for locating their chargers in a new city
• Often show pricing, status, and station details

Best picks by use case

• Best overall: PlugShare
• Best open/free data: Open Charge Map
• Best quick search: Google Maps
• Best for North America: ChargeHub
• Best for Europe: EVnavigation or ChargeFinder

Tip for visitors

If you’re in a new city, use two sources:

1. PlugShare for reviews, photos, and real-world reliability
2. Google Maps or the relevant network app for navigation and current location details

If you want, I can also give you a city-search checklist for finding the most reliable charger fast when you’re traveling.