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New Policy Effective September 1, 2026

Vehicles using Stanford EV chargers must hold a valid residential or commuter permit or pay the hourly visitor parking rate for the duration of charging. Charging sessions are limited to four hours to ensure equitable access for all EV drivers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Electric Vehicle Charging at Stanford

Find answers to frequently asked questions about electric vehicle charging at Stanford.

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Who is eligible to park in electric vehicle spaces?

All electric vehicle spaces are available to the public [Stanford Campus Charging Stations Map] [Stanford Redwood City Charging Stations Map].

As of September 1, 2026, vehicles using Stanford EV chargers must have a valid residential or commuter permit or pay the hourly visitor parking rate for the duration of charging. Charging sessions are limited to four hours to ensure equitable access for all EV drivers. Parking permit and charging-time requirements are enforced Monday through Friday, 6 a.m.–4 p.m. As a reminder, vehicles parked in an EV charging space must be plugged in and actively charging through a ChargePoint session at all times. Vehicles that are not actively charging are subject to citation.

A vehicle is NOT considered actively charging if any of the following conditions apply:

  • The EV charger display shows “Charging Complete” or “Return Plug.”
  • The vehicle is plugged in, but no active charging session has been initiated.
  • The vehicle is not plugged into the charger.
  • The vehicle is parked at a space with an out-of-service or inoperable EV charger.

If you encounter an inoperable EV charging station, please report it by emailing us at evcharging@stanford.edu. 

Important Note: Drivers will still incur the hourly charging rate and may receive citations even when the charging station display indicates "Charging Complete" or "Return Plug," as the parking space remains unavailable to other EV drivers.

How can I find the electric vehicle spaces on campus?

Please refer to our Stanford Campus Charging Stations Map or Stanford Redwood City Charging Stations Map. 
You can also refer to the EV Charging Station Location and Fees Table for information on fees and the number of spaces available per parking location.

How much does it cost to park in an electric vehicle space?

Electric vehicle charging stations are available through a third-party provider, ChargePoint. Users must sign up to use the chargers and pay ChargePoint for charging sessions.  The EV parking spots are for short-term parking. Fees, which range from $0.50 to $2.00 per hour, vary by campus location, and effective September 1, 2026, vehicles using Stanford EV chargers must hold a valid residential or commuter permit or pay the hourly visitor parking rate for the duration of charging. Charging sessions are limited to four hours to ensure equitable access for all EV drivers. Parking permit and charging-time requirements are enforced Monday through Friday, 6 a.m.–4 p.m. See the EV Charging Station Location and Fees Table for more information. 

How are electric vehicle charging fees set?

Stanford EV charging fees are consistent and, in some instances, lower than those charged at other universities and institutions in the Bay Area. The pricing is designed to manage demand for EV spaces and encourage multiple short-duration charging sessions per day (e.g., campus visitors or commuters who occasionally need to "top off" their battery rather than an all-day charge for a single vehicle). We monitor usage rates at all locations to maximize use, particularly during enforcement hours.

Why aren't there discounts for electric vehicle drivers?

We must balance our support of electric vehicles with our commitment to reducing the drive-alone rate during peak hours. First and foremost, we seek to encourage Stanford commuters to use alternative transportation to get to campus.

How long can I leave my car at a charging station?

When your vehicle completes charging, or after four hours (enforced Monday - Friday, 6 a.m. - 4 p.m., as of September 1, 2026), whichever comes first, move your vehicle to a visitor, commuter, or residential parking space to avoid a citation. Be sure to obey all posted signs and have the appropriate parking permit for the selected location to avoid a citation.

How can I pay for my charging session?

Payments are made via the ChargePoint network, which accepts payments from ChargePass Cards, contactless credit cards (payment cards that can be read when in physical proximity to a reader without requiring insertion or swiping), Apple Pay, or by phone using a standard credit card. ChargePoint will charge an additional service fee for paid charging sessions. Note: If you open a free ChargePoint account, you can take advantage of discounted fees.

NOTE: As part of your use of ChargePoint services, a temporary hold charge of $25 for AC stations and $50 for DC stations will be placed on your payment method for each applicable charging session. Once the applicable charging session ends and the hold charge is removed, you will only be billed for the actual charging cost.

Are there any Level 3 (fast) chargers on campus?

There are no Level 3 (fast) chargers on the Stanford Campus. We recommend charging at a Level 3 (fast) charger nearby before arriving at Stanford Campus.

Where can I find more information about nearby charging stations?

You can find additional EV charging stations in the area through ChargePoint’s “Find Stations” page. Fast-charging stations are available at the nearby Stanford Shopping Center. For details, use the “Search” feature at the top of ChargePoint’s “Find Stations” page and search for “Stanford Shopping Center.” Stanford Shopping Center is responsible for these chargers.

What if I have more questions?

Please call 650.723.9362 or email evcharging@stanford.edu.

Additional Resources