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Best Credit Cards for Ev Charging in 2025: Earn up to 5% on Every Charge
July 1, 2025
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Electric vehicle adoption is accelerating—nearly 18% of all cars sold in 2023 were electric. But here's what most EV owners don't realize: you're missing hundreds of dollars in rewards every year if you're not using the right credit card for charging.
The opportunity:
Your EV charging costs, whether at public stations or through increased home electric bills, represent a significant monthly expense. For the average EV driver spending $200/month on charging ($2,400 annually), using the wrong payment method means leaving $120-$720 in rewards on the table every year.
What changed in 2022:
Visa and Mastercard introduced a dedicated merchant category code (MCC 5552) specifically for EV charging stations. This means credit card issuers can now identify and reward EV charging purchases separately—and many premium cards now offer 3-5% cash back on these transactions, matching traditional gas station rewards.
The strategy:
The right approach isn't just finding one card—it's building a strategic two-card system:
- Public charging card for road trips and fast charging (3-5% back)
- Home charging card for your electric utility bill (3-5.25% back)
This guide reveals exactly which cards to use, when to use them, and how to maximize every kilowatt-hour you purchase.
Target Specificity: Who Should Use EV Charging Credit Cards?
✅ Perfect for:
Daily Commuters ($150-250/month charging)
- Charge 3-4 times weekly at public stations
- Mix of Level 2 public charging and home charging
- Potential annual rewards: $360-$600
Road Warriors ($300-400/month charging)
- Frequent highway travel requiring DC fast charging
- Heavy reliance on Supercharger networks
- Potential annual rewards: $720-$960
Home-Primary Chargers ($100-150/month electric bill increase)
- Charge almost exclusively at home overnight
- Track electric bill increase from EV usage
- Potential annual rewards: $180-$270
Multi-EV Households ($400-600/month total)
- Two+ electric vehicles
- Combined public and home charging
- Potential annual rewards: $960-$1,440
❌ Not ideal for:
- Free workplace charging covers 100% of needs
- Lease includes unlimited charging subscription
- Annual charging costs under $600 ($50/month)
- Already carrying credit card balances month-to-month
💡 Decision support: If you spend more than $100/month on EV charging (any combination of public + home), the strategy in this guide will deliver positive ROI within the first month.
Dollar Values & ROI Calculations: The Real Savings
Let's calculate actual returns based on real EV charging patterns.
Scenario 1: Urban Commuter (Tesla Model 3)
- Monthly charging: $180 ($120 public fast charging + $60 home charging increase)
- Annual total: $2,160
- Without strategy: $0 rewards
- With 5% cards: $108 annual rewards
- Break-even: Immediate (no annual fees on recommended cards)
Scenario 2: Suburban Family (Chevy Bolt EV)
- Monthly charging: $140 (all home charging, electric bill increase tracked)
- Annual total: $1,680
- Without strategy: $0 rewards
- With 5% utility card: $84 annual rewards
- Break-even: Immediate
Scenario 3: Road Trip Enthusiast (Ford Mustang Mach-E)
- Monthly charging: $280 ($220 public charging + $60 home)
- Annual total: $3,360
- Without strategy: $0 rewards
- With strategic card pair: $168 annual rewards
- Break-even: Immediate
Scenario 4: Two-EV Household (Rivian R1T + Tesla Model Y)
- Monthly charging: $480 ($320 public + $160 home)
- Annual total: $5,760
- Without strategy: $0 rewards
- With optimized wallet: $288 annual rewards
- ROI: 5% return on essential expense
The comparison nobody shows you:
💰 Bottom line: The difference between using a debit card and a strategic EV charging credit card is $600 over 5 years for just $200/month in charging costs.
Many gas credit cards now include EV charging automatically. So if you already have a gas rewards card, check if EV charging is covered – you might be pleasantly surprised.
The 5 Best Credit Cards for EV Charging (2025)
For Maximum Public Charging Rewards:
Why it's the top pick:
- 5% cash back on your top spending category each billing cycle
- EV charging qualifies as an eligible category
- Up to $500/month in 5% spending ($25 max rewards monthly)
- $0 annual fee
- 1% on all other purchases
The strategy: Dedicate this card exclusively to EV charging. For most drivers, $500/month covers all public charging needs. That's $125/week in fast charging—more than sufficient for daily commuters.
Real math:
- $400/month EV charging = $20/month cash back = $240/year
- Works perfectly for 80% of EV drivers' public charging volume
Who it's best for: EV drivers who primarily use public charging stations and spend $300-500/month on charging.
#2: U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
Why it's valuable:
- 4x points on gas stations and EV charging (up to $1,000/quarter)
- Points worth ~1 cent each = 4% effective return
- 2x points on grocery stores, gas, EV charging, and streaming
- $95 annual fee waived first year
- Includes travel perks
The strategy: Perfect for drivers who exceed the Citi Custom Cash $500/month cap. The $1,000 quarterly limit ($333/month) complements the Custom Cash perfectly.
Real math:
- $1,000/quarter charging = 4,000 points = $40 value
- $160/year in rewards
- First year: $160 rewards - $0 fee = $160 profit
- Subsequent years: $160 rewards - $95 fee = $65 profit
Who it's best for: Heavy public charging users who also value travel rewards and can justify the $95 annual fee after year one.
For Home Charging Rewards:
#3: US Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card
Why it's essential:
- 5% cash back on two categories you choose quarterly
- "Home Utilities" is a selectable category
- Up to $2,000 combined quarterly spending in 5% categories
- $0 annual fee
- 2% on one everyday category (grocery or gas)
- 1% on everything else
The strategy: This is the only card that rewards home EV charging at 5%. Select "Utilities" as one of your quarterly 5% categories. Your increased electric bill from overnight charging = 5% cash back.
Real math:
- Home charging increases electric bill by $120/month
- $120 x 12 months = $1,440/year
- 5% back = $72 annually
- All profit (no annual fee)
Critical requirement: Set a quarterly reminder to select "Utilities" as your 5% category. Miss this, and you earn only 1%.
Who it's best for: EV owners who charge primarily at home and can track their electric bill increase from EV usage.
#4: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Why it's versatile:
- 3% cash back on category of your choice (including EV charging)
- Up to $2,500/quarter combined spend
- Preferred Rewards bonus: 3.5% to 5.25% for Bank of America customers
- $0 annual fee
- 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
- 1% everywhere else
Real math (with Platinum Honors):
- $250/month charging = $3,000/year
- 5.25% back = $157.50 annually
- Pure profit (no annual fee)
Who it's best for: Bank of America customers with significant deposits/investments who want flexibility between public and home charging rewards.
For EV Purchase Financing & Everyday Use:
The strategy: This isn't an EV charging rewards card—it's your financing and catch-all card for EV ownership costs:
✅ Home charger installation ($800-$2,000): Finance at 0% for 15 months
✅ Level 2 charging equipment ($400-$600): Spread payments interest-free
✅ All other EV purchases: Earn 1.5% back
Real math:
- Install $1,500 home charging station
- Pay $100/month for 15 months = $0 interest
- Earn 1.5% = $22.50 rewards
- Alternative (debit card): Pay $1,500 upfront + $0 rewards
Who it's best for: New EV owners who need to finance charging equipment or want a strong all-around card to complement category-specific EV cards.
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Application Path & Strategic Timeline
Month 1: Build Your Foundation
- Apply for Citi Custom Cash® for public charging (instant approval typical)
- Apply for US Bank Cash+ for home charging (same day)
- Set up automatic quarterly category selection reminder for Cash+
Month 2-3: Optimize Your Stack
4. Apply for Chase Freedom Unlimited® if you need 0% financing for charging equipment
5. Link all cards to Kudos for automatic optimization
Month 4+: Advanced Strategy (Optional)
6. If you have $20k+ with Bank of America, add BofA Customized Cash Rewards for Preferred Rewards bonus
7. If you exceed $500/month in public charging, add U.S. Bank Altitude Connect
Critical spacing rules:
- Wait 30 days between applications
- Never apply for 3+ cards within 90 days
- Total hard inquiries should stay under 5 per 2 years for best approval odds
The decision tree:
Using Kudos to Maximize EV Charging Rewards
Managing multiple category-specific cards while tracking quarterly selections and spending caps is complex. Kudos transforms this from manual spreadsheet tracking to automated optimization.
How Kudos helps EV drivers:
📊 Intelligent Payment Recommendations
- Charging at an Electrify America station? Kudos shows Citi Custom Cash (5%) earns more than Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5%)
- Paying your electric bill? Kudos verifies US Bank Cash+ has "Utilities" selected for 5% back
- Prevents costly mistakes like using a 1% card when you have a 5% option
🔔 Category Selection Reminders
- Quarterly alerts to select "Utilities" on US Bank Cash+ before deadline
- Prevents earning 1% when you should get 5%
- Saves $18/quarter on average home charging bill
💰 Spending Cap Tracking
- Monitors your $500/month cap on Citi Custom Cash
- Alerts you when approaching $1,000 quarterly limit on U.S. Bank Altitude Connect
- Recommends switching cards once caps are hit
📈 ROI Dashboard
- Shows total EV charging rewards earned across all cards
- Calculates your effective "discount per kilowatt-hour"
- Tracks annual savings vs. using debit/generic credit cards
Real EV owner scenario:
Marcus drives a Hyundai Ioniq 5 and charges both publicly and at home. He has Citi Custom Cash, US Bank Cash+, and Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Without Kudos:
- Uses Citi Custom Cash for everything out of habit
- Forgets to select "Utilities" on Cash+ in Q2
- Pays electric bill with Freedom Unlimited (1.5%)
- Uses Custom Cash after hitting $500 monthly cap
- Annual loss: $156 in missed rewards
With Kudos:
- Gets reminder to select "Utilities" on Cash+ every quarter
- Kudos recommends Cash+ for $140 monthly electric bill (5% = $7)
- Warns when Custom Cash hits $500 monthly cap
- Suggests Freedom Unlimited for remaining charging expenses
- Annual gain: $156 in optimized rewards
Comparison: Public Charging vs. Home Charging Strategy
Understanding the two scenarios:
The strategic wallet for both:
Scenario A: Mostly Public Charging (70/30 split)
- Primary: Citi Custom Cash® (public stations, 5%)
- Secondary: US Bank Cash+ (home utility bill, 5%)
- Backup: Chase Freedom Unlimited® (everything else, 1.5%)
- Annual rewards: $420-$540
Scenario B: Mostly Home Charging (30/70 split)
- Primary: US Bank Cash+ (utility bill, 5%)
- Secondary: Citi Custom Cash® (occasional public charging, 5%)
- Backup: Chase Freedom Unlimited® (everything else, 1.5%)
- Annual rewards: $240-$300
Scenario C: Balanced Mix (50/50 split)
- Co-Primary: Citi Custom Cash® + US Bank Cash+
- Backup: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Annual rewards: $360-$420
The trust-building reality:
Most EV owners use a mix. You charge at home during the week and use public fast charging for road trips. The two-card strategy (Custom Cash + Cash+) covers both scenarios at maximum rates.
Pro tip: Track your first 3 months of EV ownership to identify your charging pattern, then optimize your card strategy accordingly.
Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Mistake #1: Using Your General 2% Card for Everything
❌ What happens: You earn 2% on EV charging when 5% cards exist—losing 3% ($72/year on $2,400 charging)
✅ Solution: Dedicate Citi Custom Cash to EV charging only. Use Kudos to recommend the optimal card at every charging station.
Mistake #2: Forgetting Quarterly Category Selection
❌ What happens: You forget to select "Utilities" on US Bank Cash+ in Q3. Your $360 quarterly electric bill earns 1% instead of 5% = $14.40 lost
✅ Solution: Set four calendar reminders (Jan 1, Apr 1, Jul 1, Oct 1) to log into Cash+ and select categories. Kudos also sends these reminders automatically.
Mistake #3: Exceeding Spending Caps Without Noticing
❌ What happens: You hit the $500 Citi Custom Cash monthly cap on day 20. Days 21-30 charging earns 1% instead of 5% = $4-8 lost per month
✅ Solution: Kudos tracks spending caps in real-time and alerts you when approaching limits, recommending your backup card.
Mistake #4: Not Tracking Home Electric Bill Increase
❌ What happens: Your bill increases $120/month from EV charging, but you don't isolate that amount, so you pay the full bill with a 1% card
✅ Solution: Compare your pre-EV and post-EV electric bills. Calculate the difference. Pay that amount with US Bank Cash+ (5%), pay the remainder with any card.
Mistake #5: Applying for All Cards at Once
❌ What happens: You apply for 5 cards in one week. Multiple hard inquiries drop your credit score 30-50 points. Some applications are denied.
✅ Solution: Space applications 30-60 days apart. Apply for your primary card first (Citi Custom Cash), verify approval, wait a month, then apply for secondary cards.
Mistake #6: Paying Annual Fees Without Doing the Math
❌ What happens: You keep U.S. Bank Altitude Connect ($95 annual fee after year 1) despite only earning $65/year in rewards = $30 annual loss
✅ Solution: Calculate your annual rewards each December. If rewards don't exceed the annual fee by at least $50, downgrade or cancel the card.
Understanding Merchant Codes: Why Some Charges Don't Earn Bonuses
The technical reality:
Not all EV charging transactions trigger bonus rewards. Here's why:
MCC 5552 (EV Charging Stations):
✅ Tesla Superchargers
✅ Electrify America
✅ EVgo
✅ ChargePoint
✅ Most major networks
Other MCCs that may apply:
❌ MCC 7523 (Parking Lots) - Some older charging stations in parking garages
❌ MCC 4900 (Utilities) - Utility company-owned charging
❌ MCC 7399 (Business Services) - Workplace charging services
How to verify:
- Make a small test charge ($5-10)
- Wait 2-3 days for transaction to post
- Check your credit card statement for category earned
- If it doesn't earn bonus rate, contact card issuer to report the merchant code
What to do if a station doesn't code correctly:
📞 Step 1: Call your card issuer and report the merchant
- "This charging station should code as EV Charging (MCC 5552) but it's coded as Parking. Can you adjust my rewards?"
📞 Step 2: Contact the charging network
- Most networks want correct coding for customer experience
- They can update their merchant category code with payment processors
💡 Kudos tracks this: When you link your cards to Kudos, it identifies transactions that should have earned bonus rates but didn't, helping you spot merchant code issues.
FAQ
Do all credit cards offer rewards for EV charging?
No. Only cards that specifically list "EV charging stations" or "gas stations and EV charging" in their bonus categories will reward these purchases. Generic cash back cards (1-2% on everything) will work but won't maximize your rewards.
Can I use a gas credit card at EV charging stations?
Yes, in most cases. Many gas rewards cards now automatically include EV charging stations at the same reward rate. Cards like Citi Custom Cash treat EV charging the same as gas stations (both earn 5% if it's your top category).
How do I earn rewards on home EV charging?
You can't directly swipe a card at your home outlet, but you can earn rewards by paying your electric utility bill with a card that offers bonus rewards on utilities—like US Bank Cash+ (5% back on utilities). Track your electric bill increase from EV charging and allocate that portion to your rewards card.
What is the MCC code for EV charging?
MCC 5552 is the merchant category code specifically for electric vehicle charging stations. Introduced in 2022, this code allows credit card issuers to identify and reward EV charging purchases separately from other transactions.
Is it worth getting a new credit card just for EV charging?
If you spend $150+/month on EV charging (either public or through increased electric bills), a dedicated 5% EV charging card will earn you $90-$120+ annually in rewards—with no annual fees on our top picks. That's a clear positive ROI that justifies adding a card to your wallet.
Can I use Kudos to track which card to use for EV charging?
Yes! Link your credit cards to Kudos, and it will automatically recommend the card that earns maximum rewards for every purchase—including EV charging. Kudos also tracks spending caps and sends reminders to select quarterly categories on cards like US Bank Cash+. Sign up free here.
Do Tesla Superchargers work with these credit cards?
Yes. Tesla Superchargers code as MCC 5552 (EV Charging Stations), so they trigger bonus rewards on all the cards recommended in this guide. Simply add your credit card to your Tesla account, and it will automatically charge your card when you use Superchargers.
What about workplace charging or free public charging?
If you have access to free charging (workplace, apartment complex, free municipal stations), you obviously can't earn rewards on $0 transactions. Focus your strategy on paid charging only—whether that's occasional public fast charging or your increased home electric bill.
Bottom Line
Every kilowatt-hour you purchase to power your EV is an opportunity to earn rewards—but only if you're using the right credit card.
The strategic approach:
For public charging:
- Citi Custom Cash® (5% back up to $500/month) = Your primary card
- U.S. Bank Altitude Connect (4% back up to $333/month) = Your backup once you exceed $500
For home charging:
- US Bank Cash+ (5% back on utilities) = Your electric bill card
- Set quarterly reminders to select "Utilities" category
For financing equipment:
- Chase Freedom Unlimited® (0% intro APR for 15 months) = Your installation/equipment card
For BofA customers:
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards (3-5.25% with Preferred Rewards) = Your flexible option
The annual value:
Critical reminders:
✅ All recommended cards have $0 annual fees (except U.S. Bank Altitude Connect after year 1)
✅ Use Kudos to automate card selection and prevent mistakes
✅ Set quarterly reminders for US Bank Cash+ category selection
✅ Track spending caps to maximize earnings
✅ Space credit card applications 30+ days apart
The bottom line:
You're already spending money to charge your EV. The difference between using a debit card and using a strategic EV rewards card is $90-$300+ annually—money that can offset your vehicle payment, fund a road trip, or simply reduce your total cost of EV ownership.
The charging infrastructure is improving every year. Your rewards strategy should improve too.
Ready to maximize your EV charging rewards? Join over 400,000 Kudos members who never use the wrong card again. Link your cards, and let Kudos automatically recommend the best card for every charge—so you can focus on enjoying your electric vehicle, not calculating reward rates.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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