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“Not the fastest, but it is free.99.” That’s the verdict from a TikTok EV owner who’s become a fan of plugging in at city-owned chargers during errands, lunch breaks, or slow workdays.

Atlanta-area EV owner Cameron Clarkson (@thecameronclarkson) offers the tip in a popular clip where he’s looking out for other budget-minded drivers.

Hacks For Budget-Minded Drivers

Clarkson’s TikTok, which has garnered thousands of views, offers a refreshingly practical reminder: EV infrastructure doesn’t always have to be flashy to be functional. In the video, he walks viewers through the logic of using local government buildings—such as city halls, town halls, and public libraries—as charging stations. Many of these locations offer Level 2 chargers that are free to use and rarely crowded.

That’s a mindset shared by many EV owners looking to avoid the rising costs of public charging. As utilities adjust time-of-use pricing and more EV drivers hit the roads, public charging fees have steadily increased, especially for drivers who don’t have access to home charging setups. According to NerdWallet’s analysis of Electrify America pricing, a 10%-80% charge on a 77 kWh battery pack can run anywhere from $15 to $25, depending on time of day and membership tier.

Clarkson’s advice taps into a growing trend of “charging literacy,” where experienced drivers swap tips on how to get the most out of the still-growing EV infrastructure. It also highlights the importance of community chargers—especially those installed with public funding.

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While many drivers focus on commercial charging networks like Electrify America, ChargePoint and EVgo, local governments have quietly built a secondary charging network, often funded through sustainability grants or green fleet programs.

Dozens of U.S. cities, from Sacramento to Asheville to Ann Arbor, have installed publicly accessible Level 2 chargers in municipal parking lots or adjacent to government offices. In many cases, these chargers are made available for free as part of broader climate initiatives, often through grant programs such as the Volkswagen Settlement Fund or the Department of Energy’s AFDC initiatives.

In California, the city of Fremont at one time offered free EV charging at City Hall, with signage encouraging use by both staff and the public. Those rates are now listed for the 17 dual-port Level 2 ChargePoint chargers at $0.35 per kWh. Similarly, in Austin, the city lists multiple municipal parking facilities with public EV chargers available for $.09 per kWh.

Public charging serves not just city employees but also residents, especially those without garages or at-home charging access. “Free” may not be the official policy everywhere, but many cities simply haven’t activated fee collection or intentionally leave stations complimentary to encourage usage.

Not Fast, But Smart

There’s a tradeoff, of course. These municipal chargers are usually Level 2, offering 6-10 kW of power, meaning they can add 20 to 30 miles of range per hour, depending on the vehicle and conditions. That’s a far cry from the 150 kW or 350 kW options offered by DC fast-charging stations like those from Tesla’s Supercharger network or IONITY, but it’s often more than enough for midday errands or parked work hours.

According to the Department of Energy’s EV charging speed chart, Level 2 chargers are ideal for situations where drivers plan to be parked for at least an hour. And because these spots tend to be underutilized, they’re also less likely to come with the “charger anxiety” of pulling up to a broken or occupied station—another growing frustration among urban EV drivers.

Even if the power is slow, the savings add up. Over time, a once-a-week free top-up at a city hall charger could save a driver hundreds of dollars annually.

How To Find (And Use) Free Chargers

So how do you locate these hidden gems? Apps like PlugShare, ChargeHub and even Google Maps allow users to filter by cost, location and charger type. Searching for stations near civic centers, libraries or municipal buildings often reveals unexpected finds.

Some cities, like Durham, North Carolina, even maintain their own interactive charging maps. But in many cases, the best discoveries come from community posts, user reviews, and TikTok clips like Clarkson’s.

There are a few best practices to keep in mind:

• Check posted signage before assuming a charger is public or free—some may be limited to staff or fleet use.
• Don’t overstay if the station has a time limit.
• Be courteous, especially if it’s a two-stall setup in a small-town lot.

As the EV charging landscape evolves, these city-supplied stations could become a bigger part of the ecosystem, especially for renters, low-income drivers, or anyone without home charging access.

InsideEVs reached out to Clarkson via direct message.