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Most new EV owners in New Jersey ask, "How much will it cost to install a charger at home?"
The installation cost isn't the same for everyone, but the convenience is worth it. The final cost can be anywhere from $800 to $2,500 or more, depending on how hard the job is.
If an EV charger installer gives you a flat price over the phone without coming to your home, be careful. Four main things decide how much it costs. If you understand them, you'll be able to make a good budget and see why it's so important to get a professional quote on site.
The first thing to think about is your home's electrical panel, which is the most important thing.
The electrical panel is the most important part of your home's power system. The most important factors that affect its cost are its age, capacity, and location.
• Scenario 1: Simple and cheap. You have a new 200-amp panel with lots of open breaker slots, and you want the charger to be put in the same garage as the panel. This is the easiest way to set it up because it only needs a short wire run and a new breaker.
• Situation 2: The Upgrade of the Panel. You have an old 100-amp panel that is already full. The new 40- or 50-amp continuous load from an EV charger is probably too much for this panel to handle safely. The panel needs to be upgraded to a 200-amp service in this case. This job is harder, but it's an important safety improvement for your whole home.
Factor 2: How hard it is to install and where it is
The "run" is the distance and route the electrician has to take to get from the breaker panel to the charger's final location.
• Short Run (Low Cost): The panel is in the garage, only a few feet from where you want the charger. It doesn't take much (copper wire) or work.
• Long Run (Higher Cost): The panel is in your basement, which is on the other side of the house from the garage. This could mean using more than 100 feet of heavy-gauge wire, drilling through the walls of the foundation, and putting in conduit. The cost of labour will go up if the wire needs to go through finished walls or ceilings.
The charger itself is the third factor (hardware).
The cost of the charger unit is not included in the cost of installation. You can buy this yourself or we can get it for you.
• Basic Level 2 Charger: A "dumb" charger that works well can cost between $400 and $600.
• Smart Level 2 Charger: A charger that works with Wi-Fi (like a ChargePoint) costs more, between $700 and $1,000. You can schedule charging during off-peak hours (which will save you money on your PSEG or JCP&L bill) and keep track of how much energy you use from an app.
Factor 4: Fees for NJ permits and inspections
A licensed installer of EV chargers will always get a permit from your local township. This is something that must be done for a safe and legal installation. The municipality sets these permit fees in Northern New Jersey (Morris, Bergen, Sussex, etc.), and they usually cost between $50 and $200. This fee pays for the town's electrical inspector to come to your home and approve the final installation.
Get a Quote for Your Home That Is Correct
The only way to get a firm, accurate price is to have a licensed electrician look at your setup in person. We give clear, no-obligation quotes at Sperry Electric. We will look at your panel, talk to you about the best place for the charger, and give you a clear, detailed price for a safe, code-compliant installation.
Don't make guesses about the cost. Call Sperry Electric today to get a free, on-site estimate for installing your EV charger in Northern New Jersey.