As electric cars become more popular, the need for places to charge them also grows. Installing an electric car charger in your garage is a great way to make sure your car is always charged and ready to go. But how much does it cost to install a charger in your garage? And what are the steps involved? Keep reading for answers to these questions and more!
Due to technological advancements and the urgent demand for better sustainability, vehicles are becoming cleaner and more innovative.
Henry Ford’s first production line was established in 1913, and today, we are in the midst of the most significant shift in automotive history. So, are electric vehicles the future of transportation?
We’ve already passed the tipping point. By 2020, sales of battery-powered cars will outpace those of gas-and-diesel-powered vehicles.
Over the last ten years, there has been a significant increase in EVs on American roads. Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) now account for 14% of all new vehicle registrations each year, and this figure is expected to increase in the coming years.
This is due to the numerous advantages electric vehicles provide compared to their gasoline or diesel-powered counterparts.
- No emissions (0g C02 per km)
- Cheaper maintenance
- Quieter than petrol-powered cars
- Government incentives
- At-home charging
Wait. At-home charging? Yes, around 80% of all-electric cars can be charged at home, so it’s critical to have the correct technology to make it as simple, quick, and cost-effective as possible.
The cost of an EV adaptor installation is divided into two categories: the initial installation cost and the monthly energy expenditure.
The cost of a Level 2 charger alone can range from $800 to $1200, and the entire average price, including installation labor, will be approximately $1200. As the charger draws electricity from the electrical grid that serves your house, it will influence your energy bill.
It is possible that regularly charging your vehicle at a Level 2 charging station will increase your monthly electricity cost by $30-45, depending on how frequently you use it.
We’ve put up this guide to explain the various charging options and their costs to make the procedure as simple as possible.
What Is an Electric Vehicle (EV)?
Let’s start with the definition of an electric vehicle. Generally speaking, we understand that vehicles are used to move people or products.
But, if we specifically talk about electric cars, they are powered entirely by electricity, and the electric motors are fueled by cells or batteries.
- All Electric Vehicles: Vehicles that run entirely on electricity. They use batteries as the sole source of electricity.
- Fuel-cell Vehicles: Vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The electricity generated by these vehicles is sourced from onboard fuels such as hydrogen. They do not require the use of an electrical outlet to recharge.
- Hybrid Vehicles: These vehicles use a combination of a combustion engine and an electric motor, which recharges the combustion engine while the vehicle is moving.
- Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs): When plugged in, these combine internal combustion with rechargeable batteries, but they can also be recharged directly by the combustion engines themselves.
Read How to Invest in EV Car Charging Stations
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Levels
There are three levels to charge an electric vehicle (EV)—Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. As a general rule of thumb, the higher the charging level, the greater the power output and the faster the charger will charge your electric car.
Technically, Direct Current (DC) and Alternating Current (AC) are the two electrical currents available for EV charging.
Alternating Current (AC) is always present in the electricity supplied by the grid and functional through the domestic outlets in your residence or workplace. Direct Current (DC) is the electricity stored in a battery or used in the actual power circuitry of electric equipment.
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Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Levels Voltage
While Level 1 and Level 2 charging converts Alternating to Direct Current by utilizing the vehicle’s onboard converter, Level 3 charging delivers the battery with DC. This is because of the conversion from AC to DC outside the car and within the charging station itself.
Level 3 charging (also known as direct current or rapid charging) eliminates the timely converting process by providing the electric vehicle battery with a direct power supply.
- EV drivers may use the charging wire set with most electric vehicles practically anywhere since Level 1 charging is cost-effective. It uses a regular 110-120 Volts outlet. This kind of charging takes the longest and is generally utilized as a secondary, emergency, or backup charging alternative.
- A Level 2 EV charging system, similar to a standard-issue charger, transfers electrical power from an outlet or hardwired device to the vehicle through a connector on the vehicle’s charging cable. Level 2 car chargers require a 208-240 Volt, 40 Amp circuit.
- Charging at Level 3 ranges from 400 to 900 volts (DC Fast Charge & Supercharging). A Level 3 charger can recharge an electric vehicle at speed ranging from 3 to 20 miles of range per minute, making it the fastest charging method available. In contrast to Level 1 and Level 2 charging, which both utilize Alternating Current (AC), Level 3 charging uses Direct Current (DC).
Here’s a table to help you understand better.
| Type | Voltage | Electrical Currents | Installation |
| Level 1 | 110-120 Volts | Alternating Current (AC) | $1,000-$1,700 |
| Level 2 | 108-240 Volts | Alternating Current (AC) | $1,200-$2,200 |
| Level 3 | 400-900 Volts | Direct Current (DC) | $12,000-$35,000 |
When comparing Level 1 and Level 2 charging, it is clear that Level 2 provides a significantly superior driving experience.
Level 2 charging increases range per hour (RPH) by approximately 25 miles, and Level 1 charging increases range per hour (RPH) by around 4 miles.
Even if your present EV can only handle 16 amps (3.3kW), you should consider upgrading to a more powerful unit because your new EV will almost certainly accept at least 32 amps.
As a result, if you want to be future-proof, we recommend getting a charging station that can deliver at least 32 amps, ideally 108-240 volts (40 amps).
Read How Many Gears Does An Electric Car Have?
Prepping Up Garage for Level 2 Charging Station
To charge your car while parked in your driveway or garage, you can use Level 2 chargers. With this strategy, if you drive 30 miles per hour, your vehicle will be fully charged in about five hours.
A Level 2 charger necessitates a 240-volt, 40-amp electrical outlet. These may not be included as standard equipment in older houses, but they are more likely to be available in modern ones.
Installing an EV converter in your garage may necessitate upgrading the electrical wiring and adding a more powerful outlet. It’s more expensive to buy and install.
Professional installation for a 240-volt circuit typically costs $1,200 and $2,200, including permits. Additional costs may be required if you want to connect your electric vehicle to the new circuit.
A new service line to your home will be necessary if your current electrical supply cannot manage the additional demand, resulting in a cost at the upper end of this range.
It’s possible that a modern house with a 150-amp service can install an extra 30 or 40 amp circuit, but this is dependent on whether or not there are other significant draws like a water heater, an electric oven, or a hot tub.
Wiring
The price might vary greatly depending on how far the charging station is from the electricity grid. At more than $3 per foot, 8-gauge wire is required for a 40-amp circuit. You’ll need a thicker gauge cable to charge faster, which is more expensive.
Outlet
We recommend installing a NEMA 14-50 outlet instead of hardwired charging. The portable charging cords that come with some EVs may be used on 120 and 240-volt circuits, avoiding the need for an additional cable.
In addition, even if you purchase home charging equipment, having a plug-in device means that you can use the socket for other high-draw equipment.
Equipment
We EV nerds like to track how much power our vehicles consume. Using the included JuiceBox app ($650), you can keep track of your charging history and the amount of energy you’ve used so far.
Scheduled charging is also an option, which is handy if your electric utility offers lower rates during off-peak hours.
Read How Electric Vehicle Tax Credit Works
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger – Installation Checklist
It’s easy for single-family households to charge their electric vehicles with a Level 2 charger installed in their garage or near their driveway.
You can get reimbursed if you hire an electrician who has completed the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training (EVIT).
In this way, you can safeguard both your house and your electric vehicle. Follow these steps to complete your installation and claim your rebate after you’ve hired a licensed electrician.
- Check with your local government or Technical Safety BC to see if your house is eligible for installation of an EV charger.
- Ensure your home has enough power to handle an EV charger by checking your power supply. If not, get in touch with a technician ASAP.
- For an electric vehicle charger, check to determine if there’s adequate room on your electrical panel. As a result, hiring an electrician will be necessary.
- Pick out an electric vehicle charger. Check to see if the model you’re considering is eligible for a rebate before you buy it.
- Obtain an electrical permit from your municipality (or Technical Safety BC). Utilizing the services of a professional electrician will take care of this for you.
- Install the electric vehicle (EV) charger. It’s important to remember that an electrical safety officer must inspect before any wire is covered or linked to a supply source.
- After the installation is complete, your electrician must fill out the contractor consultation form. To get a rebate, this is what you’ll need to submit.
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Electric Vehicle (EV) Chargers for Garage
Want to buy an electric car charger but don’t know where to start your search? Look no further! You’re not the only one in this situation.
We can surely recommend all of the chargers listed below, as they are among the most popular on the market today.
| 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 |
How EV Charging Affects Your Electricity Bill
Charging at home can either be Level 1 or 2. EVs come with regular Level 1 connectors so you can plug them in. You may also buy a Level 2 charger for your home, boosting the vehicle’s range per hour.
A wall-mounted Level 2 charger costs $500-700 plus professional installation. DC rapid charging, commonly seen at public charging stations, can charge cars 50-90 miles in 30 minutes.
Most electric car owners charge their cars at home; therefore, you will be charged at your regular electricity rate. The utility may even offer EV owners financial incentives. In this case, the total cost of charging a 24 kWh battery is $2.88 at $0.12 per kWh.
Every time you use an electronic device, you pay for the energy used. So you may ask how at-home charging affects your power bill.
Many individuals charge their EVs overnight at home. The battery charge time varies depending on the automobile brand and charging Level.
To calculate your EV charging costs, you need to know your kWh rate. It shows how many kilowatt-hours you use every month and the associated utility expenditures.
Some utilities provide EV users discounts for charging. If you drive your EV for 15,000 miles per year and pay $540 for annual charging, you can expect to pay $45 per month on your electricity bill.
Related electric car articles:
- How Long Will a Tesla Battery Last?
- Can I Charge My Electric Car in the Rain?
- How Much Time Does It Take to Charge a Tesla
- What to Do When Your Electric Car Runs Out of Charge?
- How Much Does an Electric Car Weigh?
- Electric Car Paint Sprayer – What You Need to Know Before Spray Painting Your Electric Car
Final Thoughts
An electric vehicle can positively impact the environment and your wallet. Public charging stations are harder to come by than gas stations, so it’s critical to have a strategy in place for when you need to top off your EV.
There are two parts to the cost of installing an EV adaptor: the upfront installation cost and the ongoing monthly power costs. Installing a Level 2 charger costs around $1200, but it might cost anywhere from $800 to $1200 only to buy the charger itself.
As a result, your utility account will be affected by the charger’s electricity use from the utility grid. A $30-45 rise in your monthly electricity bill is expected if you routinely use a Level 2 charger to recharge your vehicle.
To get the most out of an EV adaptor, you need to consider all of the elements, including your budget, vehicle use, and location, before making a final decision.
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.