How much does it cost to install an EV charger at home?
Electric vehicles (EVs) have taken Australia by storm, in no small part due to Government incentives. The beauty of having an EV is that you’re no longer paying for petrol; you can recharge the vehicle at over 2000 charging stations across Australia. Or, if you have the right set-up, you can charge it at home.
Being able to charge your EV at home offers incredible convenience. However, installing an EV charger at home has several cost considerations, from the type of charger you choose to the electrical capacity of your home.
If you’re wondering how much it costs to install an EV charger in your home, let’s break down how much you can expect to pay in 2024.
What is the average cost for an EV charger installation at home?
EV charger installation costs will come down to the cost of the charging unit and the installation service by a licensed electrician.
The average cost of EV wall charging units is between $500 and $3,000, depending on the type of charging capability. As for the cost of a professional installation by a licensed electrician, fees will be between $750 and $1,250.
Types of EV charger options and costs
EV charging units come in 3 different types, from Level 1 to Level 3.
Level 1 EV charging refers to the direct connection of an EV adapter cable to a regular power point in the home. Almost all new models of EVs come with a Level 1 adapter cable, allowing owners to charge their EV without any external charging units. The drawback of Level 1 charging is that it’s (excruciatingly) slow — a standard 10-amp circuit from a home power socket will add ~10km in travel operation after an hour of charging, meaning it can take up to 24 hours for a full charge.
Most EV owners opt for a Level 2 charger to cut down on charging time. A Level 2 charger provides a notable boost in the charging speed from Level 1 charging, with most models getting a full charge over 8 hours. Level 2 charging units can cost anywhere between $600 to $2,500, depending on the brand and make.
A Level 3 EV charger features the fastest form of charging — the same ones at public charging stations and can achieve a full charge in under an hour. To get them installed at home, homeowners will need to fork out between $40,000 and $100,000 for the unit itself, not to mention the associated costs of upgrading the home electrical phase capability to power the charger.
What are the requirements for installing an EV charger at home?
- The home must have off-street parking, such as a garage space or a driveway where the EV charger can be installed on the property.
- Permit approval from the home’s Distribution Network Operator (DNO) and local council may be required. If the installation of EV chargers will take place in a rental property or strata building, it will be subject to approval from the respective landlord or body corp.
- Chargers must be placed within close vicinity of the switchboard for safety reasons (typically 2 metres). Further distances will require a separate isolation switch to be installed.
- Homes must have at least a 30A or 40A circuit breaker to allow safe operation for most level 2 EV chargers.
Other cost considerations for installing an EV charger
An EV charger will place a significantly higher demand on the home’s power supply. The home’s electrical infrastructure may need to be upgraded in order to increase its capability to support EV charging, which may involve the installation of a new switchboard or other electrical components that come with separate costs.
This is especially true for the installation of Level 3 EV chargers, as they require the home to have three-phase power connection instead of the usual single phase that is present in most homes. Upgrading a home to three-phase power can cost between $4000-$8,000 depending on the property and can be completed by a qualified electrician.
At Radiance Electrical, we provide EV charger installation for homes in North Sydney, the North Shore, the Northern Beaches and the surrounding suburbs. Our EV charger installation services cover everything that your home needs to safely support EV charging — our electricians will carry out all the necessary checks and provide you with a clear quote for the electrical work and cost involved.
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