By EV Charge Cost Editorial Team. Published October 4, 2026, updated October 26, 2026.
The price of a home charger has two parts: the charging unit itself and the electrical work to feed it. The unit is easy to compare online; the installation depends on your house. These figures come from Angi’s EV charger installation cost guide (updated September 2026). Get at least two quotes from licensed electricians before you buy.
Typical cost ranges
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Installed Level 2 charger, most homeowners | $554–$1,380 (average about $967) |
| Level 2 charging unit only | About $300 to over $1,000 |
| Electrician labor | $400–$1,200 |
| New 240 V circuit and wiring | $500–$1,500 |
| Electrical panel upgrade | $800–$2,000 |
| Permit | $100–$200 |
What makes an installation cheap or expensive
- Distance from the panel. A garage next to the panel needs a short wire run; a detached garage or a driveway on the far side of the house needs more copper, conduit and sometimes trenching.
- Panel capacity. A Level 2 charger is a large continuous load. If your panel has no room for a 40–60 A breaker, you may need a load-management device or an upgrade.
- Charger size. A 48 A charger needs a 60 A circuit; a 32 A charger needs 40 A (the continuous-load rule: chargers draw at most 80% of the breaker). Smaller circuits cost less to install. See how many amps an EV charger needs.
- Plug-in vs hardwired. A NEMA 14-50 outlet lets you use a plug-in charger; hardwiring allows more power and avoids outlet wear. Compare them in NEMA 14-50 vs hardwired.
- Permits and local rules. Most areas require a permit and inspection; some utilities offer rebates for approved chargers.
Do you need Level 2 at all?
A 120 V outlet adds about 4 miles of range per hour to a typical EV (33.5 kWh/100 mi), about 43 miles in a 10-hour night. If you drive less than that most days, Level 1 can be enough and costs nothing to install. A 32 A Level 2 charger adds about 23 miles per hour. See Level 1 vs Level 2 charging.
How fast does it pay back?
A charger does not lower your price per kWh, but it lets you avoid paying public prices. For a typical EV driven 13,500 miles a year, all-home charging at 18.16¢/kWh costs about $821.29 a year. If you would otherwise buy half of that energy at an example public price of $0.45/kWh, you would spend about $606.92 a year more, so a $967 installation pays back in about 1.6 years. If a 120 V outlet already covers your driving, the payback is convenience rather than money.
Before you call an electrician
- Check your car’s onboard charger limit: there is no point paying for a 48 A circuit if the car accepts 32 A (onboard charger limits).
- Photograph your panel label and the route to the parking spot so quotes are accurate.
- Ask your utility about EV rates and rebates; some require a specific charger model.
- Check whether your panel can handle the load: can my panel handle an EV charger.