Say Goodbye to High Gas Prices: Installing an EV Charger in Your Home

With gas prices at an all-time high going into this summer, you can watch your vacation fund melt right along with your ice cream. But while the gas stations are running out of 4s for their signs, TLC has got great news for our customers.

If you own or are looking into buying an electrical vehicle or hybrid, you don’t have to be at the mercy of the gas pump any more. TLC can help you install an EV charging station right in your home so that you can charge up your electric vehicle at home and speed right on by gas stations and charging stations.

But as much as we’d love it, we don’t have the technology to just make them magically appear in your house, so we’ll need to set up an installation. With our expert techs, we can be at your house in no time setting up your new Electric Vehicle Charger. That said, we think you’ll probably have a few questions and this article is going to get them all to you in one place. So, let’s start off with the big one:

How Much Does an EV Charger Installation Cost?

The average cost of an electronic vehicle charger, including the cost of the hardware is between $1200-$4,000.

This includes two major costs:

Cost of Hardware – The Home Car Charging Station will cost between $400-$1200 depending on the model.
Cost of Installation – The cost of a certified EV charger installer actually installing the electric vehicle installer in the home will be between $800-$3000 depending on what is required to install the equipment and upgrade the existing electrical infrastructure to safely accommodate the EV charger.

What Is Included in an EV Charger Installation?

When you schedule an EV charger installation with TLC, here’s everything we take care of:

Permits & code compliance – We handle all necessary permits and any required code upgrades so your installation is safe and up to standard. Normally around $200
New dedicated breaker – Your EV charger gets its own breaker, installed as part of the job.
Wiring – All wiring needed to connect the charger to your electrical panel is included.
GFCI outlet – In some cases, a GFCI outlet is required for the charger and will be provided.
1-year labor warranty – We stand behind our work with a full year of labor warranty coverage.

What’s Not Included in a Standard EV Charger Installation?

To keep things transparent, here’s what falls outside of a standard installation:

The EV charging unit – We recommend purchasing the charger that’s compatible with your specific vehicle before your appointment. They range from $100 to $800.
Panel upgrades – If your existing electrical panel can’t support the new circuit, an electrical panel upgrade will be quoted separately.
Additional electrical work – This includes rewiring, fixing faulty breakers, or other panel repairs beyond the scope of the EV charger installation.
Drywall repair – Any drywall cutting or patching required during the install is not included.

What Factors Impact the Cost of an EV Charger Installation?

Types of Chargers
1. Level 1 – A Level 1 charger is extremely easy and inexpensive to install, as it can plug into the normal 120-volt outlet in your home. However, it’s gonna take a lot more time to charge. A Level 1 charger only gives you about 3-5 miles of charge per hour. It’s fine if you don’t drive much, but not ideal for heavy usage.
2. Level 2 – A Level 2 charger is what most EV drivers go for. It’s 240-volts, like the outlet you used for a clothes dryer. It requires specialized equipment to install and can cost quite a bit more, but it gives you 15-25 miles of charge per hour.
Electrical Panel Upgrade Costs

This is a factor you’re probably going to need a TLC professional technician to determine. Not all houses will require a panel upgrade. In many cases, your existing panel may have enough extra power to handle the electronic vehicle charger. However, if your panel is already working as hard as it can, you’ll probably need to upgrade and that can quickly add $1000 to your installation.

Distance Between Parking and Electrical Panel

Just as with any large appliance installation, you have to run lines from the appliance to the electrical panel. If the electrical panel is in or near your garage, then you can avoid costly drilling and passing through of wiring. If your panel is a long way from the garage, the cost of the installation is going to include all the costs of drilling and passing wires through.

Charger Location Cost: Garage Vs Outdoor

A garage installation is far and away easier and less expensive. If you are installing an EV charger outdoors, it will require specialized weatherproof equipment and may require the technician to bury the conduit to protect the wire.

Permits and Electrical Codes

Installing an electric vehicle charger can require specialized permits and may mean some rewiring to make sure that your new setup passes New Mexico electrical codes. If a permit is needed, it may add additional costs.

Plug-In Vs. Hardwired Installation

A plug-in installation is simple and easy. The EV charger is plugged into the 240-volt plug (like what is used for a clothes dryer). The charger can then be unplugged and taken with you if you move or you’re spending a long period at another house.

A hardwired installation will create a permanent location for your EV charger. If this is a permanent residence or you need to install an outdoor EV charger, then a hardwired installation may be the best way to go. However, a hardwired installation will cost significantly more than a plug-in installation.

Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates

In many parts of the United States, the federal, state, or even local government may offer tax credits or other incentives to do certain types of installation. It’s vital to look through programs being offered both nationally and in your area to see what incentives and rebates may be available.

Here in New Mexico, PNM offers multiple rebates on both the cost of the charger and installation. With additional tax credits toward the installation coming from the state energy and conservation department.

How Do I Lower My EV Charger Installation Cost?

That was a lot, right? There are a lot of factors that go into determining what the cost is going to be for your EV charger installation, but we’re here to make it as simple as possible. Here are a few handy tips on the biggest ways to cut down on the cost of an EV charger installation:

Install indoors – if you have a garage, an indoor installation will be a huge money saver.
Install near the electrical panel – if it’s possible to hook the EV charger up near the electrical panel, that’s a wise and money saving thing to do. The further the cables need to run, the more it’s likely to cost you.
Get a plug-in charger – Plug-in chargers only require the installation of a new high voltage (240-volt) outlet, rather than installing a laundry list of specialized equipment. On top of that, if you move, you can take it with you.
Take advantage of any tax credits, incentives, and rebates – your EV installation may be expensive, but it’s for a good cause and the government may be willing to make it more affordable for you.
Hire an experienced electrician – while it is technically possible for you to install an EV charger yourself, it could be a costly decision to do so. The installation will require a permit and close following of electrical codes. If either of these are not taken care of correctly, it could end up becoming way more expensive than an installation. Beyond that, the process requires high voltage cables and a mistake with those can cost you more than just money.

How Do I Get an Estimate for My Installation?

Getting an estimate is as easy as picking up the phone. Not all installations are alike, so if you are ready for an exact number, we can help you out. It’s NO SWEAT. TLC’s technicians will come out, assess your setup, walk you through the timeline, and give you a real number, not a ballpark. Call us, and we’ll handle the rest.