People are increasingly using electric vehicles, and to avoid the inconvenience of going to charging stations, they are opting for EV chargers in their homes. However, getting an understanding of the electric car charger installation cost could be quite daunting, mainly due to several aspects that influence the charges. Here, you’ll find all the information you need about EV charger installation pricing, potential money-saving tips, whether a home charger is necessary, and more about potential rebates or incentives.

Factors that affect the cost of electric car charger installation

One has to understand that the electric car charger installation cost depends on some factors.

Characteristics & data about charging-docking station

When it comes to the cost, the most crucial aspect is the type of charger involved in the charging process. Note that Level 1 chargers that connect to a standard 120V outlet are cheaper because they do not need much to be installed, though they are much slower. While Level 2 chargers use 240V outlets, they are much faster than Level 1 chargers, but they must be professionally installed, which increases the prices.

Electrical panel upgrades

The home electrical panel should be able to handle the current level of electricity; if not, then there is a need to upgrade in order to accommodate a Level 2 charger. This could end up tripling the cost of installation, which lies between $1000 and $3000 depending on the work involved.

Installation location

You should also know that how far your electrical panel is from the installation site can also dictate the price. If they have to add more wiring or if it is to be run inside walls, floors, ceilings, or even underground, then the cost will still be higher because of additional effort and resources.

Permits and inspections

In certain places, placing an EV charger may need permits and follow-up to meet the code set for electrical wiring systems. All these permits may go for as low as $100 or maybe as expensive as $500 depending on the area.

Labor costs

Another factor that will increase the total cost to install  EV charger is to hire a licensed electrician to install the EV charger. Electrical work labor costs in the United States may vary depending on the geographical location, ranging between $50 and $150 per hour.

Cost comparison: Level 1 vs. Level 2 charger installation

A comparison between Level 1 and Level 2 home EV chargers shows that the cost of each is relatively divergent.

Level 1 chargers

Level 1 chargers are more expensive than Level 2 chargers, but they are the cheapest among all types of chargers because they don’t need any additional tools and their installation doesn’t cost much. They are usually connected directly to any ordinary 120V outlet, which makes them economical. However, they take a very long time to charge. In terms of charging each of the vehicles, it would take about 4 to 5 hours to add about 50 to 60 miles of range. For many, this is too slow for daily usage, but it can be used for people who do not use a car often or who can install a socket.

Level 2 chargers

Level 2 chargers are much faster, to be precise, and can provide 25 to 30 miles each hour of charging. However the cost of installation of a home EV charger for a Level 2 is significantly higher compared to a Level 1 system. The actual charger can cost from $400 to $1,200, while the installation costs are normally added on at $500 to $2,000 depending on the above factors.

For the most part, Level 1 installations have been reported to cost anywhere between $300 and $600, while Level 2 installations have been estimated to cost between $1,000 and $4,000.

How to save money on electric car charger installation

However, home EV charger installation cost can be expensive, but there are measures that you can take to cut the costs.

Choose a suitable location

This will help cut down on the wiring charges as well as the efforts that will be required to do it while placing the charger near your electrical panel. Long runs of wiring through walls or ceilings are best to be avoided so that costs remain under control.

Charger self-installation: Level one diy charger

In your case, if you choose a Level 1 charger that simply plugs into an outlet, then you can rid yourself of any installation expenses. But this might not be so significant for those who require higher rates of charging.

Look for package deals

There are also cases where electricians or even the suppliers of the EV chargers provide a bundled deal where the charger as well as the installation service will be offered in a package for a cheaper price.

Special emphasis on rebates and incentives

Most governments and utility companies have incentives such as rebates or tax credits for putting in place home EV chargers. These can assist in reducing the cost of installation, which in turn reduces the general expenses.

The long-term benefits of installing an ev charger at home

Though the initial expenditures involving the installation of an EV charger involve high costs, the following are the advantages of the investment.

Convenience

This means that, if you own a home charger for your car, you can charge it from anywhere and at any time without going to charge it from a public charger. This is especially important to those people having a tight schedule of work and other activities throughout the day.

Cost savings

Self-charging tends to be cheaper than using commercial charging stations. In the long run, the total amount of money that would have been spent on fuel may accumulate and enable one to recover the cost of installation.

Increased property value

Over time, people who install chargers at their homes may benefit from potential buyers of the homes, and that could drive up the value of your home.

Are there any rebates or incentives for electric car charger installation?

Governments as well as utility providers devise methods to provide people with an incentive to charge their EVs. These incentives can be in the form of rebates, tax credits, or rebates on the installation services to undertake the work.

Federal tax credits

Currently in the US, a federal tax credit on the installation of residential EV chargers is provided, and this can go to the level of 30% of the installation cost, although capped at $1000. This can cut down your overall expenditure to a very large extent.

Reporting of rebates given by state and local authorities

Currently, some of the states and municipalities provide incentives of $200–$1,000 for homeowners to install home EV chargers. Visit your local government for details of some of these programs.

Utility company incentives

Most utility companies offer incentives such as rebates or discounts on the EV charger, with some offering tiered electricity rates for charging your vehicle during the night.

The expense of installing an EV charger at home is reasonably affordable, and therefore it can establish a good investment for those interested in charging their automobiles at home. By getting to know distinctions in cost, selecting an appropriate charger type, and availing oneself of existing incentives, one would be able to make a knowledgeable choice, all while fulfilling price expectations for the installation of an EV charger.