Whether you are an existing EV user or looking to buy your first electric vehicle. Charging your EV is one of the most important aspects. The relation between an EV and EV charger is similar to that of IC car and gasoline. While in the case of gasoline, you know the costs upfront. But, when it comes to calculating the cost of installing an EV charger at home, it is not that direct.
The cost to install an EV Charger at home can start from approximately $500 and can easily go upwards of $4500 and more.
There are various factors involved — like which type of charger it is — a basic level 1 EV charger or level 2. Additional costs like labour, equipment, ongoing costs and more.
In this article, we will find exactly this and then talk about how you can reduce costs as well.
Factors Influencing Installation Cost
There are multiple things that make up the total cost of Electric charger installation at home.
1. Charger Types and Cost.
Level 1 EV Chargers: The basic
Level 1 chargers are the entry level chargers, they use standard 120-volt outlets. They’re typically included with your EV and are the most cost-effective but also the slowest option, requiring from anywhere between 10 to 24 Hours for a full charge. The costing of level 1 chargers ranges between $300 to $750. The best use case for Level 1 charger is overnight charging.
Level 2 EV Chargers: The Upgrade.
Next are the Level 2 chargers, which require a 240-volt outlet. They are much faster than Level 1 chargers. They can fully charge an EV in about 4 to 9 hours and are suitable for home use but involve a higher installation cost due to the need for professional electrical work. Level 2 chargers can cost from $600 to $1800+.
Level 3 Chargers: The Fastest and the Costliest Option
The third type of EV chargers are Level 3 chargers and are not so common for home use. They are also known as DC fast chargers. Level 3 chargers provide the fastest charging times, capable of charging an EV to 80% in just 20 to 30 minutes. However, they are mostly for commercial use due to their high cost of installation and infrastructure setup.
Comparison of Charger Types and Costs
| Feature | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3(DC Fast) |
| Charging Time | 9 to 24 hours | 4 to 8 hours | 20 to 30 minutes |
| Cost | Included with EV| $300 to $750 | $600 to $1,800+ | $20,000 to $50,000+ |
| Use Case | Overnight charging | Daily home use | Commercial/public use |
Safety Tip: Always buy certified and quality chargers. Inferior low-quality chargers can lead to hazards.
2. Other Costs involved with EV charger installation
Besides selecting the EV charger, there are other costs also involved in home installation.
Labour/Electrician Cost
While most US homes will easily support a Level 1 EV charger as it only requires a 120V outlet. But if you decide to go with a level 2 EV charger. You may need a professional installation. It is because Level 2 EV chargers require a 240V outlet, and most homes in the US mostly have 120V outlets. In this case, you may need to update your Homes electrical system for a Level 2 charger.
For this, you will need an electrician or professional who will charge per hour or will quote a fixed charge. Also, if you go with Hard-wired installation for level 2 EV charger instead of Plug-in, this will incur your additional hours of labour and equipment.
Overall, the electrician fees will depend on your location and the complexity of the job.
If you choose to install Level 3 EV charger (DC Fast), the costs can go upwards of tens of thousands of dollars. It likely also will require significant infrastructure setup, the cost for which varies based on your location and property.
Distance and location
Distance and location can also be factor in total cost. If your charger is located a bit farther from main panel, you will need more wire, material etc.
Also, if the charger is located outside, this may require additional weatherproofing and material for your charger. Thus, increasing the overall cost.
Safety Tip: Avoid use of extension cord with for your EV charger. This can be hazardous.
Multiple adapters
If you have multiple types of EVs which have different adapters, you may need to add cost of having additional adapters for different EVs. That said, adaptors are commonly available and do not cost much. The price isn’t likely to be more than a couple hundred dollars.
Charging pedestals
Charging pedestal is optional but it can be a plus if you have multiple EVs and need to place your EV charger in center. Charging pedestal may provide additional stability to you charger.
These are the cost which were associated with the installation. And now let’s talk about after you install the EV charger, what are the ongoing charges?
Other ongoing costs to anticipate after Installing Your EV Charger
Owning an EV charging unit at home also involves some ongoing costs.
Electricity Usage costs
The main ongoing cost would be your electricity usage. The cost associated with electricity usage by EV charger will vary by your area or locality. If you already have solar system installation you may not need to add this cost.
Maintenance/Warranty and Repairs
Most EV charger units require minimal maintenance. But, in case of malfunction or damage, you may have to pay for repair or replacement. In most cases, if your charger is still under warranty during the malfunction. Your charger will be repaired or replace for free.
So, make sure to check your warranty and what does your warranty cover. Going with EV charger with longer warranty period would be a good decision.
Subscription Fees (Optional)
Some manufacturers charge a small monthly fee to use their cloud-based systems, while some EV charger companies may levy fees if you want to share your charger with the public. Obviously, you can avoid this cost if you go with simple charger.
Finally, it’s important to remember that even the best-maintained EV chargers will eventually need replacing. As the EV industry continues to improve, newer charging units will likely become available with more features and better performance. You should keep this in consideration of how much the cost of replacing your charger may change over its lifetime.
Ways to reduce your EV Charger Installation Cost
Now that, we have discussed about installation and ongoing costs of EV charger installation. Let us talk about how you can reduce these costs.
Leverage Incentives and Rebates
Check out for Tax credits, rebates, and incentives offered by states, utilities, or the federal government. This can significantly reduce installation costs. Conduct thorough research to identify applicable savings opportunities. You can also consult you EV dealer who can guide you well in this direction.
Smart Shopping and Planning
As with all purchase decisions, comparing quotes always helps. Many suppliers also offer discounts for purchasing multiple charging units at once.
Other things which can contribute to cost savings are – Selecting the optimal charger location, and choosing the right charger type.
Consulting with a professional electrician for a custom installation plan will also be helpful.
Making your EV charger public
You can charge a nominal fee to other EV owners for charging their EVs with your charger unit by making your setup public. This can help you offset you the overall cost of your EV charger installation. There also many more ways to monetize you charging station. This is also something you can think about.
Conclusion
We have now discussed each and every detail regarding cost of EV chargers installation at home. What are the different costs associated with different types of chargers, what are the ongoing charges, what are the additional and little unknown charges associated, how you can work on reducing these charges.
Do you have any questions or have your own tips to share? Feel free to comment below or connect with us. We’d love to hear from you. Let’s keep the discussions
