If you are reading this, it is likely that you have either already purchased or are considering purchasing an electric vehicle (E.V.). In either case, best wishes on your shift towards more environmentally friendly transportation.
As you may have already discovered, electric vehicles differ from conventional gas or diesel-powered automobiles in a few important ways. Electric vehicles (E.V.s) emit zero emissions, require little maintenance, and are enjoyable and silent to drive.
Electric vehicle owners – approximately 1.2 million of them on U.S. roadways now enjoy the benefits of being environmentally conscious. However, they all have one major concern in common: where to get a power outlet.
Considering that access to public charging is virtually nonexistent in different parts of the country, drivers have “range anxiety,” in which they question how far they can travel before needing to recharge and where they can find a charging station before the car dies.
Many states are attempting to promote electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. However, installing enough electric car charging stations has proved to be a challenging task.
The solution: install an electric car charger at home.
Charging cars at home rather than at a public charging station can result in greater savings for electric vehicle owners. In short, it is far less expensive than purchasing gasoline at a gas station.
As there are a few hidden charges related to the actual installation of the outlet, including labor and materials, the question that may arise is, “How Much Does It Cost to Install Electric Car Charger?”
According to national averages, it costs roughly $10 to fully charge an electric vehicle at home, whereas it costs more than $40 to fill up a gas vehicle.
Below, we’ll break the costs associated with charging an electric car at home so that you can be as prepared as possible.
How Do Electric Car Chargers Work?
For the most part, the process is a plug-and-play operation. Don’t be scared or confused since it won’t take any effort on your part as a vehicle owner.
However, when it comes to having one installed in your home, there are two options to consider:
Level 1 EVSE: A Level 1 EVSE is a simple device that connects your vehicle to a power supply using a conventional 120V connection. On the other hand, Level One is restricted, offering a charge rate that may not be sufficient for long-distance commuters or those who drive a lot.
Level 2 EVSEs: This charging level upgrades the wiring to a 240V A.C. plug and provides a significantly greater and faster charge rate than Level 1 EVSEs. Even though it necessitates installing a specific charging station, this is a standard option for most electric vehicle owners because it provides the access required to enjoy and rely on a home charging station fully.
Are you looking for a home electric vehicle charger but aren’t sure where to begin your search? Don’t worry; you are not alone.
The chargers listed below are some of the most popular options available on the market today, and we can confidently recommend all of them.
| ChargePoint Home Flex | 23 ft. Cord Length | Starting From $699 |
| JuiceBox 40 | 25 ft. Cord Length | Starting From $569 |
| Clipper Creek HCS 40 | 25 ft. Cord Length | Starting From $569 |
| Blink HQ 100 | 18 ft. Cord Length | Starting From $499 |
| Evo Charge | 18 ft. Cord Length | Starting From $479 |
| Siemens US2 | 20 ft. Cord Length | Starting From $412 |
| Tesla Mobile Charger Gen 2 | 20 ft. Cord Length | Starting From $275 |
Read How many solar panels does it take to charge an electric car?
Cost of Installing an Electric Car Charger At Home
When building a home charging station, there are four components to consider: the charging station, the permission, the electrical materials, and the electrician’s labor.
Several elements influence the installation cost of a home charging station, including the year in which your property was constructed, the capacity of your power panels, the complexities of your installation, and the distance between your electric panel and your charger.
Each of these considerations impacts the price of installation, but this guide can save you a significant amount of time and money.
Home Charging Station (The Charger)
The home charging station is officially known as the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) but is usually referred to as the charging station or just the charger.
There are three charging levels (Level 1 is the slowest, Level 2 is the standard, and Level 3 is the fastest). Home charging stations are only available in Level 1 and Level 2 configurations.
Depending on the charging level (voltage and amperage), wire length, and smart/Wi-Fi features, a charger can cost anywhere from $300 to $700, depending on the manufacturer.
On Amazon, you can find a generic Level 2 (240 Volt) charger NOT safety approved for as little as $200, which is a significant saving.
We recommend using an approved charger, such as the Tesla Mobile Connector that comes with all Tesla vehicles, or a more feature-rich charger, such as the Wallbox Pulsar ($649).
240V outlets can deliver a significant amount of power, which can be quite dangerous if not handled properly. No matter which charger you use, make sure to charge responsibly.
Read How Much Does a Tesla Weigh?
Charging Permit
Higher voltage electrical operation requires an electrical permit because E.V. drivers use Level 2 chargers rather than Level 1 chargers (120 Volts).
The majority of home charging station installations necessitate registering a permit from the local government. This license ensures that you’re following the electrical code to safeguard your family. Your electrician will handle the process of obtaining a permit.
While the cost of a permit may vary from city to city, you should expect to pay approximately $150 to $200 for it.
For example, a residential E.V. charging station permit in California (where NeoCharge’s headquarters are located) costs $200 per year.
Electrical Materials (Wiring, Breakers, Panels)
It is also necessary to include the cost of the electrical materials required for installing an E.V. station. You will need an electrician to install a new circuit to supply electricity to your garage if there isn’t a spare 240V outlet available.
An electrical circuit comprises three components: the outlet, the cable, and the circuit breaker (also known as the fuse).
These components work together to guarantee that power is safely transferred from the wall socket to the charger and then to your electric vehicle (E.V.).
Sometimes a larger electrical panel and additional materials such as a conduit (tube to protect wires) are required to complete the job. In general, a reasonable price would be $200 – $800.
Read How Much Does It Take to Replace a Tesla Battery?
Electrician Labor
The labor for installing a home charging station is the final piece of the puzzle. It is normally recommended to obtain at least 3 specific quotes from different electricians and then choose one based on their experience, insurance, and customer ratings.
Like the permit and electrical materials, this cost is variable and dependent on the situation. In general, you can expect to pay an electrician anything from $300 to $1,500 depending on the amount of work that needs to be done and where you live.
Keep in mind that this is a one-time fee for labor. In most circumstances, your electrician will provide you with a time and materials quote, which will result in a higher overall cost for the installation.
Cost Breakdown
| Home Charging Station (The Charger) | $300 – $700 |
| Charging Permit | $100 – $250 |
| Electrical Materials (Wiring, Breakers, Panels) | $200 – $800 |
| Electrician Labor | $200 – $1,500 |
| Total | $800 – $4,000 |
Read How to Make Your Battery Last a Long Time
Benefits of Installing an E.V. Charger At Home
The ability to charge your car at the comfort of your own home almost seems too good to be true. However, it is not. Residential E.V. rates are similar to Netflix subscription fees.
Before Netflix, you had to go to BlockBuster or the cinema to watch a movie. You can still do that once in a while, but if you watch movies often, you may eventually get tired of paying every time you want to watch a movie.
Imagine how much money you would spend if you had to pay movie theatre fees every time you wanted to watch a movie. Setting up an at-home EV charging station works the same way.
You can charge your electric vehicle at home with the push of a button. Moreover, it is convenient and cost-effective. It can even function as a backup generator to provide peace of mind in an emergency.
Convenience
The growth of electric vehicles has not yet reached the stage where there are long lines to use charging stations, but this is a real possibility in the future.
As well as having to wait for your car to charge, you may also have to wait in line while other people charge their EVs. However, by setting up an at-home charging station, you won’t have to worry about long lines.
Read How Long Does It Take To Charge An Electric Car
Inexpensive
As an electric car owner, you may have realized that an E.V.’s operating costs are rather low compared to the fluctuating price of gasoline.
Was it ever brought to your attention that keeping a charger on hand could help you save even more money?
Yes, if you charge your electric vehicle during off-peak hours (for example, at night), you can lower the cost of your electric bill significantly.
Battery Health
An electric car battery is no different from any other battery. Excessive charging eventually reduces its ability to hold a charge and decreases its efficiency.
Always remember that the battery in your electric car has certain requirements. If you do not properly charge your electric vehicle battery, you may notice a reduction in battery life.
Charge your electric vehicle close to 100% whenever possible rather than merely charging it for an hour or two at a time, and doing so will be much easier if you have installed a home EV charger.
Home Value
Considering that there are over 2.3 million electric car owners in the United States, having an E.V. charger installed can be a desirable feature for potential home buyers.
It is predicted that an EV-ready driveway adds an average of $11.7k to the value of a typical U.S. home. As electric vehicles become more common, many buyers may seek properties that include an E.V. charger.
If you have any plans to put your home on the market, an E.V. charger can be a terrific selling factor that can increase the value of your home as well as its curb appeal.
Read What to Do When Your Electric Car Runs Out of Charge?
Cost of Installing Different Charging Stations
With all major automobile manufacturers introducing more affordable electric vehicles with an ever-increasing range, the adoption of electric vehicles is increasing rapidly across the USA.
We will begin to see mass-market of electric vehicles (E.V.s) in the next few months, including the much-awaited Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Ioniq, and the next-generation Nissan Leaf.
As E.V. market continues to grow, there will be a growing demand for E.V. charging infrastructure at home, at the workplace, and in public places to accommodate this shift.
Below we’ve outlined the approximate costs required to install home, commercial, and public electric vehicle supply infrastructure (EVSE)
- The basic installation will cost between $250 and $400 if your home already has a 240-volt circuit available. If not, the cost of installing a station and running 50-amp dedicated wiring will be anywhere between $200 and $1,500, depending on the options you choose.
- Commercial charging station installation prices can vary significantly based on the electrical requirements, distance from the circuit panel, and where the station is located. The cost of installing a commercial station might range from $1,000 to $10,000 per unit.
- While the cost of installing a public E.V. charging station varies according to several factors, you can expect to spend anywhere between $5,000 and $50,000 on each charging point you choose to install.
The Final Words
To sum up, the cost to install a home charging station is expected to be between $800 and $4,000. The costs depend on the factors outlined above.
However, if you already have a 240V outlet, you can save money by skipping the permit, electrical materials, and electrician services altogether. This can save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.
Although the initial investment is higher, cheaper fuel and maintenance costs can make up for an electric vehicle’s typically higher purchase price.
Consider the following scenario: if you were offered to pay a minimal fee to have a gas station installed in your neighborhood and thereby pay less for gas, would you not be up for it? The good news is, with electric cars, it is possible.
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- Best Electric Car Blankets
- Electric Cars vs Hybrid Cars
- Should I Buy a Used Electric Car?
- Components in Electric Cars and How Electric Cars Work
My name is Matthew, staying in Seattle, Washington. Electric Vehicles (Electric Cars & Electric bikes) caught my attention for the last few years and my love for electric cars and bikes is everlasting. I spend many of my weekends traveling to various places all over various cities with my electric vehicle (e-bike and electric car). Here I am sharing my expertise, experience, and invaluable information about electric cars and electric bikes. Check out more.