Whether you’re considering purchasing an electric vehicle (EV) or you’ve been driving one for some time, finding a convenient charging station will be one of your top priorities. There are several EV charging options for you in McKinney and the surrounding area, including fast-charging sites and cheaper but slower alternatives. Here’s a guide to your EV charging from our vehicle experts here at Huffines Hyundai McKinney. If you’d like to know more about driving an EV, check out the vehicles in our online showroom or swing by for a test drive.
Types of EV Chargers in McKinney
There are three types of EV chargers you can use for your Ioniq 5, Kona EV, or other EVs in McKinney. These charging options are Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3, and all three have benefits and drawbacks you should consider.
A Level 1 charger is a standard household power outlet. All you need to do is plug the cord into an accessible household power outlet to start charging. Charging with a Level 1 charger is very slow, adding about 4 miles of driving range per hour of charging. At this pace, you would need at least 40 hours to fully charge an EV’s battery. If you drive a plug-in hybrid with a smaller battery, you can charge your vehicle with a Level 1 charger overnight.
Level 2 charging stations are found at various public locations around McKinney. You can also pay to have one installed at your own home. They can charge your vehicle’s battery faster than a standard power outlet. Fully charging your battery will take approximately eight to 10 hours with a Level 2 charger. Keep in mind that while some public Level 2 chargers will require you to pay a fee to use them, local businesses offer others free of charge.
Level 3 charging sites are the fastest way to recharge your battery. They’re also sometimes referred to as DC fast-charging sites. While a Level 2 charger can add about 20 miles of driving range per hour of charging, a Level 3 charger can add up to 20 miles of driving range per minute. This means they can fully charge an EV’s battery in an hour or less. The one drawback worth remembering is that Level 3 charging stations are typically more expensive than Level 2 stations.
Over 25 Level 2 and Level 3 charging sites are available within a 10-mile radius of McKinney. Our list of top EV charging sites below identifies whether Level 2 or Level 3 chargers are available and any other features you need to consider when making your choice.
Senior Recreation Center
The City of McKinney operates the Senior Recreation Center, and it provides a great selection of sports and wellness activities. If you attend the center regularly, you can purchase a membership to access the swimming pool, fitness room, and dining hall. The center also has a meeting room that you can reserve. However you spend your time at the center, you can charge your vehicle using the single Level 2 charge port available in the parking lot.
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.
Location: 1400 S. College St., McKinney.
Enxchange
Enxchange is a McKinney-based company that supports businesses in meeting their energy needs. It specializes in providing data on energy usage for buildings, EVs, and other sources. It’s perhaps not all that surprising, given this focus, that Enxchange’s location features two Level 2 EV charging stations. You’ll find them on the east side of the parking lot under the awning. The chargers are also accessible outside of business hours, making them a convenient option if you’re on the go.
Hours: Open 24/7.
Location: 400 W. Virginia St., McKinney.
El Lago El-1
El Lago offers luxury apartments for rent in McKinney. You can opt for one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. This upscale building has many attractive features, including two EV charge points for you to recharge your vehicle. The Level 2 chargers are ideal for charging a plug-in hybrid in a few hours or overnight.
Hours: Open 24/7.
Location: 3400 Craig Drive, McKinney.
Nissan of McKinney
This dealership is the only current location in town with a Level 3 fast charger. So, if you need additional power in your vehicle quickly, it’s the place to go. In addition to one Level 3 charging port, there is a Level 2 charger for you if you have more time to spare.
Hours: Dealership business hours.
Location: 3800 S. Central Expressway, McKinney.
Cinemark
If you plan on stopping by Cinemark to catch a movie, you can leave your EV to charge in the parking lot. There are two Level 2 chargers available to use, both of which are part of the Volta charging network. This network has various charging stations across the country and allows you to sign up to access its services.
Hours: 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. daily.
Location: 1701 S. Central Expressway, McKinney.
Home2 Suites by Hilton McKinney
The rooms at Home2 Suites offer comfortable relaxation near downtown. You can conveniently access plenty of shopping and restaurant options nearby. You’ll also find two Level 2 charging ports in the car park. Parking is free, but keep in mind that the charging stations are only offered to hotel customers. As a result, this is an excellent location if you need to charge your vehicle during your stay, but not ideal if you need to top up your battery after your daily commute to work.
Hours: Open 24/7.
Location: 2630 S. Central Expressway, McKinney.
So, there you have it. We’ve given you a few tips to help you identify the different EV charging stations in McKinney and some of the top locations where you can recharge your car’s battery. Have you tried any of these charging sites? Do you have a tip you’d like to share about a location we missed? Don’t hesitate to contact us to let us know, and we’ll include your story in a future blog post.