Sheet E-101 / Circuit 1
EV charger installation.
One dedicated circuit from your panel to the garage, sized to what your panel can spare. Most installs run $825 to $2,500. The range below goes to $15,700 because that number includes a full panel upgrade, and we would rather you see it now.
The EV charger estimator.
Same rates we quote from. Change anything and the calc sheet redraws, including the headroom check on your panel.
| Base install: breaker, first 10 ft, mounting, testing | $650 to $900 |
|---|---|
| 20 ft beyond 10, surface conduit at $14 to $20 | $280 to $400 |
| Permit and inspection | $180 to $350 |
| Total, each end rounded to $25 | $1,100 to $1,650 |
Charger hardware is not included: $450 to $700 is typical.
This is an estimate, not a load calculation. We do the real load calc on site, per the electrical code, before we quote.
Level 2, in plain words.
The cord that came with your car plugs into a normal outlet. That is Level 1, and it adds about 4 miles of range an hour. Fine if you drive 20 miles a day. Not fine if you drive to the city and back.
Level 2 runs on 240 volts, the same as a dryer. A 40 amp charger adds roughly 30 miles an hour, so the car is full by morning no matter how late you get home. That is the whole point of a home charger.
Plug in or hardwired? A plug in unit on a 14-50 outlet tops out at 40 amps and is easy to swap later. A hardwired unit can go to 48 amps and is the cleaner choice outdoors. We will tell you which fits your garage.
Which amperage for which car.
General terms, no brands. Your car's onboard charger sets the ceiling; a bigger circuit than the car can use is money in the wall.
| Charger | Breaker | Power | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32A | 40A | 7.7 kW | Plug in hybrids and most compact EVs. Short commutes. |
| 40A | 50A | 9.6 kW | Most EVs on the road. The default we recommend. |
| 48A hardwired | 60A | 11.5 kW | Large SUVs and trucks, or two drivers sharing one charger. |
Permits, handled.
Every charger install needs an electrical permit in town. We pull it, book the inspection and meet the inspector, usually within a week of the install. Permit and inspection run $180 to $350 and are already in the estimate.
Same week installs.
Most chargers go in within five working days of your yes. A simple garage install takes three to five hours. Underground runs take a day longer because the trench has to be dug and inspected open.
Booked Monday, charging FridayPanel too small for the charger you want? Read about panel upgrades to 200 amps, or ask about a battery that also backs up the house. Ready now? Request a site visit.