How Much Does an EV Charger Installation Cost?

Common Range: $1,175 to $3,300, Installed

National Average: $1,750, Level 2 Charger Installed

Updated: November 17, 2023. Written by: Steve Hansen and: Gregory Robinson, GHS HVAC and Electrical

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Cost Range for Electric Vehicle Charging Station

The cost of installing an electric vehicle (EV) charging station at your home is between $1,175 to $3,300, depending on the type installed. The factors that affect the cost include the type of charging station, the location and accessibility of the EV charger installation site, the electrical capacity, and any additional features or services you may want.

Average Cost for a Home EV Charger and Installation

The average cost to have an EV charger installed at your home is around $2,200. This cost will include the installation labor cost of hiring a licensed electrician to handle the wiring project. The cost of the electric wire and connectors to support a 50-amp 240V line, as well as the level-2 charging unit. All local permits and inspections as needed, and complete cleanup of the work area once the installation is completed. Note: This cost does not include any type of solar charging features.

Average Do It Yourself cost
$650 – $900
Average Contractor Installed Cost
$1,175 – $3,300
Typical Cost Average
$1,750, Installed

electric car charging in garage

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Overview of Electric Vehicle Chargers & Stations

A growing number of home options is available for electric vehicle chargers, both plug-in models and hardwired 240 volt units.

Level 1 EV Chargers

The most affordable are portable plug-in chargers in 120V and 240V options that can be plugged into a suitable outlet. Obviously, no installation is needed.

120 volt EV chargers are classed as Level 1 chargers in amps from 6 to 20. They are also called trickle chargers because they provide just 3-6 miles of range per hour. Most homeowners will need to charge their vehicle all night, every night, to meet their normal driving demands. Note: 120V units are sometimes called 110V EV chargers.

Level 2 EV Chargers

Plug-in 240-volt electric vehicle chargers range from 16 to 50 amps, and many have adjustable amp settings to fit the charging requirements of the vehicle. Charging rate is 12 to 60 miles of range per hour based on amps and the rate at which the vehicle can accept a charge. Most include one or more adapters to make them usable with various electrical vehicles and outlet configurations. Note: These are also referred to as 220V EV chargers.

These are Level 2 chargers and more popular for their faster charging times. However, if you don’t have a 240V outlet in a convenient location for car charging, the labor charge of hiring a licensed electrician to add a circuit and outlet runs $650 to $3,000 based on the distance from the electrical panel to the install location. Average installation cost for labor and materials is $1,000 – $2,000.

Hardwired 240V EV charging stations usually include a post and holder for greater convenience. As noted, adding a 2-pole / 240 volt breaker or installing a new subpanel will incur costs in the range just noted above.

120V/240V EV chargers are becoming more common. They are fitted with both types of plugs for convenience or have adapters which allow for use in outlets of either voltage.

Retail and installed costs for each type are found below, as well as useful tips to help you understand more about EV charging at your home.

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Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Cost Factors

Here are more details that will assist you in narrowing your EV charger cost.

  • Plug-in Vs Hardwired EV Chargers | Plug-in 120V chargers usually don’t require the addition of a new breaker, so for most drivers, the cost of the charger is the only expense. Most homeowners must add a circuit and outlet for a 240V charger, and hardwired EV chargers obviously require electrical work to be done at costs noted above.
  • Amps | Level 1, 120V EV chargers are available mostly from 6 to 16 amps, mostly, with a few 20-amp models available; Level 2 EV chargers deliver from 16 to 50 amps. The higher the maximum amperage, the more the unit costs.
  • Adjustable Amps | Many chargers have adjustable Amp settings, and that option raises cost. For example, the popular 240V ChargePoint Home Flex EV charger is adjustable from 16 to 50 amps, and the Megear Level 1 charger has settings of 6, 8, 10, 12 and 16 amps. The adjustable megear charger costs 75% more than the 16-amp non-adjustable megear charger. Settings give you options for charging based on the amperage of the circuit/outlet you’re using and the vehicle charging requirements.
  • Combination Models | Those that allow for either 120V or 240V charging cost a little more than single-voltage chargers. Both plug-in and hardwired combo chargers, including the Tesla Wall Connector, are available. Plug-in models have both plug types or a single plug with an adapter.
  • WiFi | The option to monitor and control charging using your smartphone raises cost but boosts convenience.
  • Cord Length | Cords range from 16 feet to 50 feet.
  • Supply and Demand | Currently, demand is greater than supply, especially for Tesla Wall Connector and other popular hardwired EV charger brands. In some cases, local installers are selling these units significantly above list price.
  • Installation Factors | The further the distance from the electrical panel to the installation point, the higher the cost will be. Other site factors related to the complexity of the installation will affect cost.

Note: “Currently Unavailable” and “Sold Out” notifications are common with charging equipment due to supply chain issues and labor issues and high demand. Be prepared to choose alternative equipment or wait for your preferred charger or charging station to be available.

Do universal chargers and stations work with Tesla? Yes, most do with an adapter to fit your Tesla vehicle.

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Retail EV Charger and Installation Supplies Costs

Here is an EV charger price list for chargers, adapters and popular installation accessories.

  •  $185 – $400 | Level 1, 120V EV Chargers based on amps, adjustability, cord length and quality
  • $200 – $1,600 | Level 2, 240V EV Chargers based on the same factors as Level 1 chargers. An average price range is $325 – $600.
  •  $1,350 – $3,300 | Hardwired Charger and Installation Package – Cost breakdown starts with approximately $400-$800 for the charging equipment. Adding an outlet from the electrical panel starts at about $650 but can range to $1,250. When a subpanel is added, costs rise to $2,000 to $3,000.
  •  $30 – $50 each| Plug Adapters – the most common type is a NEMA6-20 plug with a NEMA5-15 adapter. Tesla and other brands make additional NEMA adapters for 5-20, 6-15, 6-20, 6-50, 14-30, 14-50 AND 10-30 outlets. Tesla has a 7-adapter bundle and carrying case for $250.
  • $15 – $40 | Wall-hanging Brackets for charger cords.

Installation Tip – Plugged to hardwired: Many plug-in 240 electric vehicle chargers can be hardwired, if you prefer, by removing the plug. Hardwiring provides a more secure connection – you won’t go out in the morning to find your battery is still low because your plug-in charger wasn’t fully engaged. It’s also a safety feature – It eliminates a 240V outlet that a curious child can get shocked while exploring.

Top Brands and Costs

The Tesla Wall Connector retails for $500 but is selling higher due to demand.

JuiceBox makes three popular models that can be used with Tesla, Chevy Bolt and Spark, Nissan Leaf and other makes. Station options are 32, 40 and 48 amps in prices from $580 to $700.

ChargePoint is an Amazon best seller. Its range is 16-50 amps, and the cost is around $700.

EVoCharge makes several stations in several sizes/amps with costs from $600 to $1,100.

Megear, mentioned earlier, makes a low-cost Level1/Level2 charger for under $250 – just don’t expect the highest quality. It might be worth having as a portable/backup option to your home charging station.

Oil giant Shell has entered the EV market with a 32-amp charger that sells for about $450.

Grizzl-E makes amp-adjustable chargers in several sizes up to 50 amps. The new Duo includes two charging cables for charging two vehicles at once. Retail cost is around $900.

Tax Credits, Rebates and Free Chargers are Available

Federal tax credits for charging stations expired at the end of 2021. However, they were extended for 10 years with the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act. This allows for up to $1,000 tax credit for a qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property, or EV charger installation.

Most power companies offer rebates on the purchase of a qualified EV charger or charging station. ChargePoint says, “These rebates can range from $75 to as much as $2,500 in different areas.” While true, most rebates for residential installation top out at about $600. But that’s still worth taking advantage of.

A few energy providers, like Sonoma Clean Energy in California, cover the entire cost of the charger.

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Permits, Inspection, Related Costs and Installation Time

Permits and Inspection Cost

  • $0 – $300 | You’ll need a permit for a hardwired EV charger. When an outlet is added to an existing circuit, the permit cost should be under $200. When a circuit or panel is installed, there is more to be inspected, so cost increases.

Related Costs and Installation Time

  • $650 – $3,000 | Complete Hardwire Installation Package. Basic cost includes wiring and the outlet. Cost goes up when adding a circuit or panel is required. Job complexity is a major cost factor because it affects the time required. HomeGuides suggests a slightly lower range of $400-$1,700, and while in the ballpark, we’re seeing completed jobs costing above $2,500.
  • 4 – 8 Hours | Hardwired Installation based on whether a circuit or panel is added, job difficulty and distance from an existing line or the panel to the outlet.

Related Projects

Here are other common electrical projects and a few others related to putting an EV charging station in your garage.

Gregory Robinson – GHS of Charlotte

GHS Charlotte, or Gregory’s Home Services is a licensed HVAC (34266) and Electrical (31980 & 34511) Installation and Repair service company in the Charlotte NC area. Owned and managed by Gregory E Robinson since 2018.

Website | LinkedIn

DIY or Hire a Pro?

Your garage probably already has a 110/120V outlet for a Level 1 electric vehicle charger.

But most garages are not equipped with a 220/240V unless you or a previous owner had good foresight or used the garage as a shop. Adding a circuit to an existing panel, if there’s capacity, is a less complicated job than installing a subpanel for the new circuit.

However, neither are easy DIY opportunities, and they incur the risk of shock during the process and potential fire afterwards is not properly installed.

Warnings aside, running 240V line and installing a circuit is a challenge, and we recommend hiring an electrician for the work.

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Reviewed and edited by Steve Hansen of Costimates

steve hansen of costimates-sm Steve Hansen, that's me, the Senior Editor of Costimates. (Learn more about myself and our team) I'm an avid home improvement professional with more than 37 years experience working on all types of residential new home building, upfits, repairs and remodeling.

"Like most homeowners, I was frustrated with the lack of quality information available on specific home improvement repairs and renovations. In 2015, Costimates was formed to help homeowners learn as much as possible about various projects and their costs so they could make better financial decisions."