90% of electric vehicle owners charge their ride at home. This can be done using the level 1 charger that comes with the vehicle or a level 2 charger you install at home. The level 1 charger is slow. That’s why many people prefer to install a dedicated level 2 charging station.
Electric car charging station cost mostly depends on location, home needs, home charger price, and whether the charger is portable or hardwired.
Level 1 Charging Station
In most cases, you only need an outlet to plug in your electric vehicle. But the outlet needs to be on a dedicated circuit to support an electric vehicle’s power needs. If your home does not have this type of outlet, installation can cost anywhere from $300-$1700.
Our recommendation is to go for a level 2 charging station because it is faster, and you will recover installation costs in a few months of not using gas.
Level 2 Charging Station
This type of station feeds off a 240v circuit. It usually charges at a rate of 7kW, meaning it will charge a 100kW battery faster than the 2.3kW speed of the level 1 charging station.
Factors to Consider before Electric Car Charger Installation
Level 2 Charger Costs
A level 2 charger costs between $400 and $700. The price depends on the model and the features of the home charger. A 16-amp charger will be cheaper than an 80-amp charger, while a smart charger will be more expensive.
Luckily, charging stations qualify for 30% Federal Tax Credit for purchasing and installing costs up to $1000. You will also find that some companies offer up to 50% rebates for level 2 home charging stations.
EV Charging Station Cost by Charger Brand
| Brand | Costs | Power Output | Main Features |
| Bosch | $450-$800 | 7.2kW | Portable or hardwired
Thermal sensor NEMA 3R weather resistance |
| ClipperCreek | $400-$700 | 7.7kW | Portable
Energy Star options available Dual Port charger available |
| Siemens | $480-$600 | 7.2kW | Portable or hardwired
Smart grid option available Apple-enabled |
| Webasto | $400-$500 | Up to 11kW | Portable or hardwired
Weatherproofed (NEMA 6) Built-in safety features
|
| JuiceBox | $570-$600 | 10kW | Amazon Alexa compatible
Wi-Fi enabled Locking feature Tesla-compatible NEMA 4 Rated |
Level 2 Charger Installation Costs
A level 2 charging station can cost as low as $850 to as high as $4500 to install. It depends on the work that needs to be done. It is costlier to install an EV station in old homes because they need an electrical panel upgrade to support an electric vehicle.
Here’s an estimate of Electrician Costs
| Work to be Done | Average Cost |
| Labor costs per hour | $40-$100 |
| Upgrade of electrical panel to 200-amp | $1800-$2500 |
| Installing 240v circuit & 50-amp outlet | $300-$800 |
| Wiring | $7-$9 per foot |
| Trenching | $4-$12 per foot |
| Permit | $50-200 |
Also, you may incur costs for a Wi-Fi signal booster when going for a Wi-Fi-enabled model. A Bollard or pedestal mount will again come in handy when installing the charger outside.
Portable vs. Hardwired
Portable chargers are more expensive because of the convenience of taking them with you. It is also costly to add an outlet to your home than having the wire connected directly to the electric panel. Plug-in chargers are favorable because they are easier to upgrade.
A hardwired charger is not movable. You can even plug it in directly to the dryer outlet if it has sufficient power.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Charger
Some chargers are rated as indoor-outdoor, while others are indoors only models. Rated NEMA 3. An outdoor charger is rated NEMA 4 or 6 and is costly because it is exposed to the elements. The outdoor charger is convenient for the driveway, but it will require a longer cable than a charger installed in the garage.
Networked vs. Non-Networked Charger
A Wi-Fi-enabled charger offer services like payment collection, scheduling, tracking, and access control. It has a higher price tag than a non-networked charger, and it continues to incur monthly networking fees. However, this type of charger qualifies for rebates by sharing charger data.
Outlet Location and Cord Length
If the outlet location is far from the home’s electrical resources, it may cost more to install the charger. It will also cost more if you need to perform garage modifications to find the charger’s best location in relation to the car’s input point.
The cord length of an EV’S’s charger is a maximum length of 25ft. Local laws do not permit charging a car from the other side of the road. As such, you need to have a station where you will be charging the vehicle. In some cases, you may need to install a small structure to protect the charging station.
Dual Charging Port
A dual-port allows the charging of two vehicles at the same time. It also costs more than a single-port charging station.
Circuit Breaker
You may need to buy a new circuit breaker if your current circuit panel cannot handle the car charger’s additional power load.
Tesla Charging Station Cost
To use a level 2 charger on a Tesla, the automaker recommends a Tesla-specific charging station. It costs around $500. The installation cost for a Tesla charger is similar to other EV charging stations.
EV Charging Cost at Home
The costs of charging an EV at home depend on the electricity charges in your area. On average, an electric car will cost you between $3-$8 for a full battery or $0.50-$1.50 per hour. It will increase your monthly electric bill by $25-$35 for the electric car that adds 30 miles per night.
How Fast is a Level 2 Charging Station?
The charging speed of an electric vehicle is measured in kilowatts (kW). A level 2 charging station has an output rate of 7kW-19kW. This will give you 10-60 miles, depending on the input rate of the car. If your car has a max speed of 7kW, it cannot take advantage of a 10kW charger.
How to Get an Accurate Estimate of Installation Costs
There are lots of estimates floating on the internet, all depending on various factors. It’s best to get in touch with an installation company/certified electrician and brief them on the specifics of your home. They can give you an accurate estimate of the installation costs and the options available to you.
Conclusion
A charging point in your home is an essential factor to consider when purchasing an electric vehicle. It allows you to reap the benefits of an electric car since you will no longer have range anxiety. Ultimately, you will want to check out the options available, including government funding and rebates that can bring down the overall costs of installing an electric charger at home.
Sam is Automole’s editor-in-chief and classic car enthusiast. Sam is studying mechanical engineering at Cockrell School of Engineering, Austin. He also writes for many top automotive publications and appears on the Collecting Cars Podcast.