EV charging access plans

Best if you regularly use its DC fast chargers.www.electrifyamerica.com+1

Official details:Pricing and plans

2. EVgo

• Pay As You Go: $0/month, plus a $0.99 session fee.
• EVgo Plus: $6.99/month; advertised savings of up to 15%.
• EVgo PlusMax: $12.99/month; advertised savings of up to 30%.

Best for frequent fast charging on EVgo. The subscription discounts apply to EVgo's network, not every provider.evgo.com+1

Official details:EVgo pricing

3. ChargePoint

• Free account; pay for individual charging sessions.
• Access to publicly available ChargePoint stations and supported roaming-partner stations.
• Published service fees for account holders are $0.25 for AC and $0.49 for DC sessions at applicable paid stations.

Best as a starting point for locating and accessing chargers across participating networks. Roaming access and fees vary by station.www.chargepoint.com+1

Official details:Where you can charge

4. Shell Recharge

• Pay as you go, with no subscription required.
• Start and pay for supported sessions through the Shell app; some chargers accept cards directly.
• Prices and possible idle fees depend on the station.

Best if you want to avoid a recurring membership fee.www.shell.us

Official details:Shell EV charging FAQs

Which option offers the broadest access?

Best for multi-provider access: Shell App

Shell says its US app includes Shell Recharge stations and roaming partners, with in-app payment at supported third-party stations. It has no subscription requirement for Shell Recharge.www.shell.us+1

Check Shell's charging FAQs

Best for a free account and roaming: ChargePoint

Use its app or RFID card at ChargePoint stations and supported roaming partners. Check the displayed price in the app before starting a session.www.chargepoint.com+1

Explore ChargePoint access

Best additional fast-charging option: Tesla Supercharger

Compatible non-Tesla EVs can use eligible Supercharger locations through the Tesla app, paying per session. Tesla also offers an optional monthly membership for discounted rates at eligible Tesla-owned Superchargers. Vehicle compatibility and station access vary.www.tesla.com+1

Check Tesla Supercharging

How to choose a plan

• Occasional public charging: Start with free accounts and pay per use. Avoid subscriptions until you know your monthly usage.
• Frequent DC fast charging: Compare EVgo Plus and Electrify America Pass+ against the rates at the stations you actually use.
• Travel across multiple networks: Start with Shell and ChargePoint, then keep individual network apps available as backups.
• Reliability is the priority: Check live charger availability, recent station status, connector compatibility and backup locations. No subscription guarantees that a charger will be operational or available.

One important caveat: roaming access does not mean universal access. Pricing, activation methods and supported stations can differ across networks, so retain a credit card and the relevant network app as a backup.

To narrow this down to the best plan for you: Are you primarily charging in New Jersey and the surrounding Northeast, or do you need access for long-distance travel across the US? I can compare the practical options and likely costs for your driving pattern.

ChargePoint explicitly says its app can be used at its own network and roaming partner networks such as EVgo, FLO, IONITY, Allego and EVBox. The important caveat is that the roaming partner sets the price, so one app doesn't necessarily mean one uniform price.www.chargepoint.com+1

What I'd recommend

For reliable coverage + simplicity, I'd start with a free ChargePoint account as your general-purpose charging account, then keep EVgo's free Pay As You Go plan as a backup. EVgo currently lists PAYG at $0/month + $0.99/session, while Plus is $6.99/month and PlusMax is $12.99/month. EVgo says Plus is generally aimed at 3–5 charges/month and PlusMax at 6+.evgo.com

That gives you:

• One broad roaming account through ChargePoint.
• A dedicated fast-charging network backup through EVgo.
• No need to pay multiple monthly subscriptions unless your usage justifies them.
• The ability to check station-specific pricing before charging—important because roaming prices can differ from the network's own pricing.www.chargepoint.com+1

For example, in the LA area there are substantial EVgo and Electrify America options, including Electrify America Charging Station in Santa Monica and several EVgo fast-charging sites such as EVgo Charging Station in Manhattan Beach.

Bottom line: I would not buy a multi-network subscription immediately. Start with ChargePoint + EVgo PAYG, track your public-charging frequency for a month, and only add a paid membership when the math clearly works.

If you tell me your EV model, roughly how many public charges you do per month, and whether you mostly charge around LA or take road trips, I can calculate the cheapest practical combination of plans.