How Much Does an EV Charger Cost to Install?

The advertised cost of a Level 2 EV charger install is almost never what you'll pay. The unit is $300–$700. What determines the total is the distance from your panel to the parking spot, whether your panel has capacity, and what your city requires for permitting.

• The charger itself — $300 (basic 40A) to $750 (Tesla Wall Connector, ChargePoint, Wallbox)
• The circuit run — $200–$1,500 depending on distance, wall type, attic access, and whether we need to trench for a detached garage
• Panel work — $0 if you have open slots and capacity; $400–$800 for a load-management device; $3,000–$5,000 if a panel upgrade is required
• Permit and inspection — $150–$400 depending on city

• Straightforward install (garage-attached panel, open slots, 20-foot run): $900–$1,600 all-in
• Average install (30–60 foot run, minor panel work): $1,600–$2,800
• Complex install (detached garage, trenching, panel upgrade): $3,500–$6,500

California requires a permit and licensed installation for any 240-volt hardwired circuit. Beyond the legal issue, EV circuits are 40–60 amps continuous — the highest continuous load in most homes. Miswiring is a fire risk, and the manufacturer warranty on the charger typically requires professional installation.

Before you buy the car. We do free load calculations for anyone considering an EV — knowing whether your panel can support a charger before you're in the dealership saves a $4,000 surprise.

SCE offers rebates for qualified installs, and Time-of-Use rate plans make overnight charging genuinely cheap. We help homeowners choose the right amperage (32A vs 48A) based on nightly mileage rather than the maximum the car supports — a slower charger on a smaller circuit often costs half as much to install and still fills the car overnight.