Reading Charging Station Details

Understanding Station Detail Pages

Every charging station on SpotCharge has a detail page with important information about location, charging capabilities, pricing, and amenities. This guide helps you interpret that information to make informed charging decisions.

Quick Access

To view station details:

Visit /locations
Click any station card
See complete station information page

Station Detail Page Sections

1. Station Header

What you'll see:

Station name (e.g., "Westfield Mall Parking Garage")
Star rating (average from user reviews)
Number of reviews (clickable to jump to reviews section)
Verification badge (if owner-claimed and verified)
Distance from you (if location access enabled)

Verification badge meaning:

✓ Verified - Owner has claimed and verified this location
No badge - Community-sourced data (may need verification)

2. Location Information

Address & Map:

Full street address
Interactive map with pin showing exact location
"Get Directions" button (opens Google Maps/Apple Maps)

Access Details:

Access Type: Public, Restricted, Private, or Employee Only
Hours of Operation: 24/7, Business hours, or custom hours
Access Notes: Special instructions (e.g., "Enter through west parking entrance")

What access types mean:

Public: Anyone can use, no restrictions
Restricted: Limited access (customers only, hotel guests, etc.)
Private: Permission required
Employee Only: Staff/residents only

3. Charging Stations & Ports

This is the most important section for compatibility.

Each station shows:

Station name/number (e.g., "ChargePoint Station #3")
Manufacturer (ChargePoint, Tesla, Electrify America, etc.)
Network (for payment/membership)

Under each station, you'll see individual ports:

Port Card Example:

Port 1 - J1772
Level 2 AC | 7.2 kW
Status: Available

What each field means:

Connector Type (J1772, CCS, CHAdeMO, Tesla):

This is what physically plugs into your EV
You can only use ports matching your EV's connector type
Learn about connector types →

Power Type (Level 2 AC or DC Fast):

Level 2 AC: Slower charging (3-19 kW), 4-10 hours for full charge
DC Fast: Rapid charging (50-350 kW), 15-45 minutes to 80%

Power Output (kW):

Higher kW = faster charging
Your EV's max charge rate may be lower than station's max output
Example: 7.2 kW station charges at 25 miles/hour (typical EV)

Status:

Available: Port is operational and free
In Use: Currently charging a vehicle
Out of Service: Not working (check recent reviews for updates)
Unknown: Real-time status not available

Important: Not all stations provide real-time status. Check recent reviews for reliability info.

4. Pricing Information

What you'll see:

Per kWh rate: Cost per kilowatt-hour (e.g., "$0.43/kWh")
Per session fee: Flat fee per charging session (e.g., "$2.00/session")
Idle fees: Charges for staying connected after charging completes
Membership discounts: Reduced rates for network members

How to estimate cost:

Example 1 - Level 2 Charging:

Rate: $0.30/kWh
Your EV battery: 60 kWh
Charging from 20% to 80% = 36 kWh
Cost: 36 kWh × $0.30 = $10.80

Example 2 - DC Fast Charging:

Rate: $0.48/kWh + $2 session fee
Charging 40 kWh
Cost: (40 × $0.48) + $2 = $21.20

Note: Prices shown are estimates. Always verify pricing on the charging network's app before starting a session.

5. Payment Methods

Common payment methods:

Network App: ChargePoint, Electrify America, EVgo apps (most common)
Credit Card: Tap-to-pay or swipe at station
RFID Card: Network membership cards
Contactless: Apple Pay, Google Pay

Network Memberships:

Some networks offer monthly plans with discounted rates
Free accounts usually available (pay-as-you-go pricing)
Memberships typically work across all network stations

Pro Tip: Download the charging network's app before arriving. Setup takes 5-10 minutes.

6. Amenities

Icons show nearby amenities:

☕ Food/Coffee - Restaurants, cafés within walking distance
🛒 Shopping - Retail stores nearby (grocery, mall, etc.)
🚻 Restrooms - Public restrooms available
📶 WiFi - Free WiFi access
♿ Accessible - ADA-compliant access, parking, and equipment
🏠 Indoor - Covered/protected parking
🛡️ Security - Monitored area, cameras, or security staff

Why amenities matter:

Level 2 charging (4+ hours): Look for shopping, food, WiFi
DC Fast charging (30 min): Coffee shop or restroom access is ideal
Overnight charging: Security and covered parking are valuable

7. Network Information

What is a "network"? Charging networks operate and maintain charging stations. You'll need their app or payment method to start charging.

Major Networks:

ChargePoint - Largest network, 30,000+ stations
Electrify America - DC fast charging, highway focus
EVgo - Fast charging, urban locations
Tesla Supercharger - Tesla vehicles (some open to other EVs)
Blink - Mix of Level 2 and DC fast
Flo - Growing network in US/Canada

Network Details Shown:

Network name and logo
Network website link
Customer support phone number
Mobile app download links

8. Reviews & Ratings

Overall Rating:

5-star average from all user reviews
Based on 6 categories: cleanliness, accessibility, reliability, value, location, ease of use

Recent Reviews:

User comments about station condition
Photos from recent visitors
Owner responses (if applicable)
Date of review (check for recent feedback)

What to look for:

Reliability concerns: Multiple reports of broken chargers
Access issues: Gate codes, parking validation requirements
Pricing surprises: Unexpected idle fees or session fees
Positive patterns: Consistently good experiences

Pro Tip: Sort reviews by "Most Recent" to see current station status.

9. Photos

Types of photos:

Station location and signage
Parking area and access points
Charger equipment close-ups
Nearby amenities
Access instructions (gate codes, parking spots)

How to use photos:

Identify station location in parking area
Verify connector types visually
Check for obstacles or tight parking
Find amenities mentioned in description

Upload Your Own: If you're a SpotCharge user, you can upload helpful photos after visiting a station. Premium users can upload up to 25 photos per location.

How to Choose the Right Station

For Quick Stops (30-45 min): ✓ DC Fast charging (50+ kW) ✓ Coffee shop or restroom nearby ✓ High reliability rating ✓ Real-time availability showing ports open

For Errands (2-4 hours): ✓ Level 2 charging (6-7 kW) ✓ Shopping or entertainment nearby ✓ Free or low-cost pricing ✓ Multiple ports available

For Overnight (8+ hours): ✓ Level 2 charging ✓ Secure, well-lit area ✓ Covered parking (weather protection) ✓ 24/7 access

Common Symbols & Terms

kW (kilowatts): Power output, higher = faster charging kWh (kilowatt-hours): Energy delivered, what you pay for AC: Alternating Current (Level 2 charging) DC: Direct Current (fast charging) Idle fees: Charges after your EV is full Session fee: One-time fee per charging session EVSE: Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (the charger)

Need Help?

Have questions about a specific station? We're here to help.

Contact Support or check our Help Center