Range anxiety has historically been one of drivers’ top concerns about making the switch to EVs. With improved charging architecture in many electric vehicles (EVs) and a growing number of charging stations across the country, that anxiety is starting to fade.

Like the rest of the United States, Maryland is rapidly expanding its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. As of 2024, there are over 1,000 DC fast charging stations. More are going up in cities like Gaithersburg, MD, all the time. Let’s take a look at what’s happening in Gaithersburg and across Maryland.

As electric vehicles continue to grow in popularity, they require more infrastructure. Maryland is doing a fantastic job of keeping up. Find out how.

The Scale of Maryland’s EV Infrastructure Expansion

Maryland is committed to expanding its infrastructure for electric vehicle (EV) drivers. As of Oct 2024, the state boasted 1,012 DC fast chargers. Drivers can also take advantage of the 3,894 Level 2 charging stations available statewide.

Maryland has also designated 23 Alternative Fuel Corridors. Interstates like 95 and 270 have become the focus of a targeted effort to install more charging stations. There are around 1,700 stations with almost 5,000 ports located along these corridors.

The situation along the AFCs is set to improve even further. Round 1 of funding for the Northeast Corridor put a total of $44.6 million toward installing fast chargers along major routes, and more projects are already underway.

In total, Maryland boasts 4,906 public charging stations or one EV charger for every 976 residents. Given those numbers, it’s easy to see why range anxiety is becoming a thing of the past.

Changes in Charging Infrastructure in Gaithersburg, MD

There are a total of 109 Level 2 and 33 Level 3 charging stations within a 10 mi radius of Gaithersburg, MD. An impressive 46 of them are free to use.

If you’re looking for the quickest way to charge an EV in Gaithersburg, there’s a Tesla Supercharger hub at Rio Washingtonian Center. The hub features 12 fast charging ports and is accompanied by EVgo and ChargePoint stations within close proximity.

The situation will only continue to improve. In August 2024, Montgomery County received a $2.68 million grant via MDOT to put up even more charging stations. Drivers will soon begin to see new chargers installed at libraries, garages, park-and-rides, and up to 17 other county-owned locations.

How Does Maryland Compare to the Rest of the US?

Maryland drivers are embracing EV ownership at impressive rates. According to MDOT, EV registrations within the state doubled from January 2023 to April 2024. At that time, there were 102,530 EVs registered in Maryland, and an additional 2,500 were added each month.

Given the popularity of EVs in Maryland, it makes sense that the state is doing a better job than some other states at keeping up with the installation of EV infrastructure. It’s ranked ninth out of 50 for EV chargers per capita as of January 2024.

While the situation is constantly improving for EV drivers, some quality issues persist. Electrify America has played a significant role in establishing EV fast chargers across the country, including in Maryland along its alternative fuel corridors. However, only around 70 percent of the network’s chargers achieved 87% uptime.

What Drivers Need to Know About Charging EVs in Maryland

Public charging stations are readily available in Maryland, particularly in urban hubs and suburban areas. Electrify America runs many of the stations, and though they continue to face some quality control issues, they provide affordable charging solutions.

You can get either cost-per-kWh or cost-per-minute pricing through Electrify America. Depending on the station, Pass+ plans will save you around 25%. That’s not the only way you can save money on owning an EV.

As of July 2023, Maryland has been offering a $3,000 excise tax credit to new EV owners. EV drivers can also apply for a solo-occupant HOV-lane permit that costs just $5.

What to Expect for the Future of EV Infrastructure in Maryland

Currently, Maryland is ahead of the game when it comes to EV infrastructure. There are nearly 5,000 charging ports publicly available statewide, and AFC corridors are proliferating. Gaithersburg residents, in particular, are benefiting directly from county grants to install additional fast chargers.

Cities like Baltimore, Germantown, and Washington D.C. all join Gaithersburg in focusing on increased EV adoption and fast charger availability. A high charger density, along with mandates on new buildings and proximity to I-95, is propelling the quicker adoption of EV technology across the state.

While reliability issues persist for Electrify America charging stations, the situation is improving daily. More drivers are making the switch to EVs all the time, and that trend appears unlikely to change.