How Much Does a Home EV Charger Really Cost?
Buying an electric vehicle is just the beginning. Drivers also need to figure out how to charge their new cars.
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Alexandre Mouravskiy | Oct 31, |
5 min read
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Charging your electric vehicle in the peace and convenience of your own home might sound easy and ideal. But the reality of home charging can be more complex and more expensive than simply plugging an extension cord into your new car.
If you live in an older house, for example, you might discover only after buying an electric car that your garage outlet doesn't supply enough voltage and/or current.
For some EV shoppers, the true cost of charging an EV at home could be higher than they expected.
Types of Home EV Chargers
Not all EV chargers are made equal, and not all will get you a full tank of juice (so to speak) in time for the morning commute.
- Level 1 charging can typically bring an EV battery to 80% in about 40 to 50 hours. These chargers often come included with an EV purchase, and require only a common household 120-volt outlet to work.
- Level 2 charging setups require having a 240-volt circuit. They can charge a battery electric vehicle to 80% in four to 10 hours and a plug-in hybrid in one to two hours.
- Level 3 also called direct current fast charging chargers are usually found in public charging stations, such as Tesla's Supercharger locations, and are used often in commercial applications.
Charging stations and cables also come in a variety of standards, depending on plug type. Because these plugs are not interchangeable, it can be important to make sure your home charger has the correct one.
Costs of Home Charging Stations
Within each level of charging, there's generally a range of prices for home equipment. There can also be differences in installation costs.
- Level 1 charging cables often come with new EVs, but they can also be purchased separately if you want a spare. The equipment for Level 1 chargers typically costs about $300 to about $600. You should also look into the labor costs for installation, which can cost $1,000 or more.
- Level 2 charging stations usually need to be purchased separately, though some automakers might provide rebates for purchase and installation. Level 2 charging equipment ordinarily runs about $500 to $700, although some of it can be more expensive.
- Level 3 chargers can cost tens of thousands of dollars for the equipment alone. Installed, Level 3 chargers generally cost about $12,000 to $45,000.
Less Obvious Costs of Home Charging Stations
While many modern homes can support Level 1 charging without much in the way of renovation, not every EV owner is so lucky. Older homes may not have updated electrical setups that will work with a Level 1 charger. Some hidden costs of installing at-home EV chargers might include:
- Updating your house's electrical capabilities for a Level 1 charger. Although Level 1 chargers will work with standard 120-volt household plugs, some older homes could be wired for 15-amp or lower circuits. Additionally, if the plug is too far from the distribution box, it may lose too much current and need to be updated with higher-gauge wiring.
- Upgrading your home's electrical system for a Level 2 charger. Many homes, even new ones, could need electrical work for Level 2 chargers, as those hookups require 240-volt circuits. Such circuits are not common in homes unless they were specifically installed for large appliances.
The price of installing new circuits into your home will depend on a few factors. These include the state of your breaker box/electrical panel, which can cost anywhere from about $850 to $4,000 to upgrade, depending on how many amps you need. Other factors include the availability of circuits at a high enough amperage, which can cost about $600 to $1,200 to install, and the distance between the electrical panel and the charging station.
If you need to install a commercial-grade Level 3 EV charger, it could set you back tens of thousands of dollars. It likely also will require significant infrastructure setup, the cost for which varies based on your location and property.
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The Home EV Charger Extras That Add to Costs
Electrical work isn't the only area in which home-charging-installation expenses might add up. Other extra costs could include:
- Charging pedestals: If you charge multiple cars and want the charger in the middle, a charging pedestal (often a structure that sits on the floor between the vehicles) could increase the price by at least a few hundred dollars.
- Outdoor chargers: These can cost more than indoor chargers, due to the need for weatherproofing and running conduits.
- Trenching: If you have a detached garage, you may need to dig a trench for the power conduit to rest in. The exact cost will depend on the distance to the garage, location, and what kind of soil you have.
- Multiple adapters: Having more than one brand of electric car might affect cost, as you may need to get different adapters for each vehicle. That said, the price isn't likely to be more than a couple hundred dollars. Note that some automakers are adopting Tesla's North American Charging Standard plugs, so adapters could be easier to find in the future.
Charging an electric car at home will inevitably increase your electricity use. But there are a few modern EVs that can also act as generators to power your home. It's possible this could help save you money on a generator if you live in an area prone to blackouts.
Some EV-charging costs can also be offset through government programs and in fuel savings over time. A home-charging station could even increase the value of your property. Some automakers, such as General Motors and Kia, will include installation (or credit toward installation) with the purchase of an EV.
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This site is for educational purposes only. The third parties listed are not affiliated with Capital One and are solely responsible for their opinions, products and services. Capital One does not provide, endorse or guarantee any third-party product, service, information or recommendation listed above. The information presented in this article is believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but is subject to change. The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the product. The material provided on this site is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any Capital One product or service to your unique circumstances. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a qualified professional.
Alexandre Mouravskiy
Alexandre Mouravskiy has worked as a freelance writer for almost 20 years, covering pop culture, politics, and automobiles. Hes written about road tripping across the eastern seaboard, replacing broken wheels in a blizzard as an amateur rally navigator, and once drove from the Gulf to the Hudson Valley in a single day. When hes not writing, Alexandre can be found wrenching on one of his project cars or teaching people to drive stick, whether they want to learn or not.
Pulling into a gas station, popping open your fuel door, and pumping some gas while you decide whos buying what snacks are a long-standing part of automotive culture. But even after youve made the switch from fossil fuel to electric, youll need to partake in the proverbial pit stop. With a Level 2 charger, the process of powering up may feel comfortingly familiar.
So what is a Level 2 EV charging station? This guide will explain how these stations work, how much they cost to install, and how they compare to the other commonly available chargers. Whether youre building an EV charging network or just turning your garage into the perfect charging bay, this explainer is for you.
What is a Level 2 charger?
A Level 2 charger is a device that is designed to intelligently charge electric vehicles either via an industry-standard SAE J connection (commonly called a J Plug) or Teslas proprietary charging cable and adapters. The J Plug is typically attached by cable to a utility-style box or pole that hosts both the electronics and software needed to communicate with your EV and the Level 2 chargers network.
The box for a Level 2 charger draws power from a standard 240V outlet, the same type of outlet commonly used for clothes dryers and other devices that require a greater electricity flow than a standard 120V plug can provide. This greater voltage allows for faster charging compared to a Level 1 charger.
How fast is a Level 2 charger?
A Level 2 charger can deliver anywhere from roughly 3kW to just under 20kW of AC power to an EV. In practical terms, this means it can deliver about 30 to 50km (20 to 30 miles) of range per hour of charging, and can completely charge a typical EVs battery in the space of a night.
Compare this speed to the type of Level 1 charging station that is commonly included with the purchase of an EV, which tops out at 2.4 kW or about 5km (3.1 miles) worth of range per hour, and its easy to see why many EV owners prefer to refuel their vehicles at Level 2 chargers whenever convenient.
Thanks to their combination of fast charging and relatively easy installation, Level 2 chargers are a popular choice for businesses that are looking to add value for visitors, employees, and tenants. Fortunately, managing a fleet of Level 2 chargers can be even easier than installing them. Finding the right operating system for EV charging makes it possible to connect and control an entire networks worth of EV infrastructure all in one place, managing users and even energy output to optimize your revenue.
How much does a Level 2 charger cost?
Determining the total cost of a Level 2 charger requires factoring in three variables:
- The cost of the charger itself. Hardware costs can range from $300 at the lower end to more than $1,000, depending on brand and utility.
- The cost of installation. Installation costs can vary greatly depending on the chargers location and use case. If youre installing a large volume of chargers, its best to work with a turnkey EV charging provider in your region. Though installing the box at home may be as simple as hanging it from a wall, you may need to hire an electrician to install a 240V outlet. Expect to pay at least $300 for their services.
- The cost of electricity. Electricity costs may fluctuate based on location and sometimes even time of day. That said, the US Department of Energy estimates fully charging a typical EV at a typical electrical rate will cost about $6.
All in all, you should expect to spend at least $1,000 for installing your first Level 2 charger, though the cost of installation for subsequent chargers will likely be substantially lower after the electrical groundwork is laid.
How do Level 2 chargers compare to the alternatives?
Much like how owners of petrol-powered cars have the choice between three grades of gasoline, there are three common types of EV charging stations. What is a Level 2 charging station like compared to a Level 1 or a Level 3? Lets break it down for each.
Compared to Level 1 EV charging stations
As we mentioned before, Level 1 charging stations are typically bundled in with the purchase of an EV, where theyre referred to as emergency chargers or portable charger cables. These cables plug into a standard household 120V outlet to deliver a maximum of 2.4kW of output to an EV. This is slow enough that it may take several days to reach a full charge for your battery.
Since theyre included with the purchase of an EV and frequently require no extra electrical work to operate, Level 1 EV charging stations are substantially cheaper than Level 2 charging stations. Theyre also quite a bit slower, but their trickling speed may be plenty for commuters who live near their work or otherwise infrequently take longer trips.
Compared to Level 3 EV charging stations
Level 3 charging stations are also referred to as DC fast chargers, and their output of between 50kW to 350kW earns that speedy distinction by powering up a typical EV battery in as little as 15 minutes (though not all EVs support this standard). Assuming the driver doesnt mind stretching their legs and shopping for a few snacks while their car sits at the station, a level 3 EV charger is the closest equivalent modern EV technology has to the in-and-out gas station experience.
The expense and electrical infrastructure required to operate a Level 3 charging station mean theyre most practical for installation at dedicated charging destinations located along major highways or other thoroughfares. For businesses that are considering installing EV chargers as a value add to their existing facilities, especially for places where people are likely to spend several hours, Level 2 chargers may be more practical.
If youre looking for the perfect software to power an EV charging site or network ChargeLab has got you covered. Were the back-end software behind North Americas leading EV charging networks, offering a white-label, hardware-agnostic solution. Contact us to learn more about what we do.
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