Several companies are working to help drive electric cars farther.

While consumers are noticing the advantages that energy efficient electric vehicles offer - from protecting the environment to eliminating the need for an oil change - some are still hesitant when it comes to making the switch.

"Research shows, people have range anxiety," said Carly Kade, sppokeswoman for eVgo.

A fully charged battery can take the cars around 100 miles, but potential buyers are still wondering what happens when the charge wears off.

eVgo president Arun Banskota said the company is working to create more options for electric car owners to re-charge, away from home. The company wants drivers to have more confidence that they can ride to their destinations without worrying how they will make it home to their garage charger.

"People are used to driving internal combustion engine cars. They don't even have to think about where to go for gas," he said. "Driving an electric vehicle really requires a change in how you think."

The company has 15 "Freedom Stations" in the Houston area, with one in Spring at Walgreens, located 19710 Holzwarth and another nearby at the Park N Fly in Bush Intercontinental Airport, 15850 John F. Kennedy Blvd.

A new station recently opened near The Woodlands at the H-E-B grocery store at 130 Sawdust Road.

"The Freedom Station is just one piece of the puzzle for turning range anxiety into range confidence," Banskota said. "We're thinking from the perspective of an electric vehicle driver and what their needs would be and solving their concerns."

Josh Bryant has driven an electric car for almost one year and is an eVgo customer. He said charging his car is easy. "If you can plug in your hair-dryer, you can plug in your car," he said. "I do it habitually. I don't even think about it. It's like plugging in your cell phone before bed."

Bryant has a long commute, but it is not anything that his nightly charge cannot accommodate. "I can do that trip just charging from home," he said. "But if I'm going out to meet friends after work, I need to stop and charge somewhere."

He often makes a 5 to 15 minute stop at H-E-B or Walgreens to plug in his car while he shops.

Both retailers are partnering with eVgo, as well as the Cracker Barrel restaurant chain. Kade explained that the company is always searching for new places to host charging stations, but there are certain criteria that must be met first.

eVgo only works with companies that are interested in sustainability and green initiatives. The charging stations also have to be near retail opportunities and close to power sources. Since the goal is to improve range confidence, eVgo places stations near main thoroughfares.

The company is also looking to install stations near airports, in the workplace and in multi-family communities.

Kade said the stations are built with the knowledge that new technology may change the layout in the future. "As the technology changes, we will need to adapt to new standards," she said.

Kade is confident that the gas station of the future will be in family garages and that the car of tomorrow will be electric.

"Every major car company is coming out with an electric vehicle model," she said. "As more consumers crave and demand electric cars, the technology will be better and the price will go down. It's not really a hard sale."

Blink stations have already opened at Market Street in The Woodlands and at Carrier Enterprise, 220 Spring Hill Drive in Spring.

Another is planned for just south on Interstate 45, at the DeMontrond Automotive Group, 14101 I-45. There are also plans to open a station at Kohl's in Tomball.

Lindsay Peyton is a freelance writer.