If you drive an electric vehicle (or a plug-in hybrid minivan like me), you know that charging costs add up.
Sure, it’s still often cheaper to drive an EV than a gas vehicle. But with electric rates soaring, plugging in can hurt a bit.
That’s why finding free, public charging stations feels like such a treat. It’s easy money into your car’s battery–and your wallet!
Honestly, I hesitated to even write this story for a while. These feel like “my” secret spots!
But I wanted to share them so you can use them too, and charge up your EV for free.
Here are six spots I’ve personally used. Keep in mind that chargers can always be offline, so have a backup in mind if anything changes.
1) Walnut Creek City Hall — Free ChargePoint in the core of downtown
This one is currently “under repair.” But when it returns, it feels like the best free charging hack in the city.
It’s a free Level 2 option right at City Hall. The big constraint is time — drivers report a 45-minute limit and pretty strict enforcement, so it’s ideal for a quick top-off while you handle a meeting or paperwork, or grab a coffee downtown.
You’re also nosing your car in right next to police cruisers on many occasions. So drive carefully!
Where: 1666 N Main St, Walnut Creek
2) Walnut Creek Library garage — Free Level 2 while you read, work, or kid-wrangle
These free chargers are plentiful and usually in good repair. Pull into the library garage, plug in, and knock out a library run (or just use the library as a quiet workspace).
These are generally open from 6 a.m. to midnight. You’ll still need to pay for parking like normal. But if you’re parking in Walnut Creek anyway, why not charge your car for free?
Where: 1644 N Broadway, Walnut Creek
Want more super-practical 925 life tips like this? Join the free 925 News newsletter: https://bay-area-telegraph.ck.page/317a2ba0d5
3) City Center Bishop Ranch — Free charging while you shop or eat
This is probably the best-known “secret” among San Ramon EV drivers: chargers in the garage while you’re at City Center. The property itself describes EV charging as a complimentary amenity (with a courtesy time limit), and our own parking guide also notes the chargers are free but can fill up on busy days.
You can find chargers on the second level of the garage. They have a ton of Tesla chargers, and a few non-Teslas ones too.
There are several chargers in the outdoor parking lot by the valet station, but they are often broken.
Where: 2694 Bishop Dr, San Ramon
4) The Veranda — Volta “free while you browse” plugs
A lot of shopping centers have adopted the Volta model: free Level 2 charging (typically designed for shorter stays), subsidized by on-screen advertising.
These can get busy, but if you snag one, it’s free charging while you shop or go into the mini Whole Foods.
Also note that these get lots of use, so they can break down. For a more reliable option, see the next spot, which is still right by the Veranda.
Where: All around the Veranda in Concord’s parking lot.
5) Diablo Valley Plaza by Floor & Decor — free Shell chargers, easy in-and-out
When the Veranda is too crowded, I like this spot. It’s nearby, but it’s very rarely crowded and the free chargers are usually available.
I’ll sometimes stop here and charge when I’m waiting to pick my kid up from a party and just need a spot to scroll or answer some work emails. Might as well get free power in the process!
You can also easily park here to charge and then walk over to the Veranda if the shopping center’s chargers are in use.
Where: 85 Chilpancingo Pkwy, Pleasant Hill
6) Palo Verdes in Walnut Creek
Might as well save the best for last! Palo Verdes, where we happen to have our official address, has multiple free Shell chargers (formerly Volta) that are generally in good repair.
Try looking on both sides of the shopping center. The chargers in the back get less use and are generally open.
Where: 1500 Palos Verdes Mall, Walnut Creek, CA
Okay, so I’ve spilled the beans on my charging spots! Want more practical articles about the 925 like this one? Join my free 925 News newsletter here.
