Level 2 EV Charger Installation · California · Licensed & Permitted
Home EV Charger Installation
in California — $500–$1,800 Labor.
Bundle with Solar and Save.
We install Level 2 EV chargers for California homeowners — standalone or bundled with a new solar system on the same permit and same crew. You order the charger, we handle the dedicated circuit, conduit, permit, and connection. Installation labor runs $500–$1,800 depending on your panel and location. Serving PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, SMUD, and Pioneer territories statewide.
Licensed install · Permit included · All California utilities · CSLB #1065773
Free Install Quote — No Obligation
Three Ways We Can
Get Your Charger Installed.
Tell us about your home and we'll match you to the right path — solar bundle, standalone install, or a partner electrician in your area. All quotes are free. No credit pull. No pressure.
Bundle with Solar — Best Value
Install your charger on the same permit and same crew as your solar system. One project, one timeline, maximum savings. Best option for homeowners going solar.
Standalone Level 2 Install
Already have solar or not interested right now? We install Level 2 chargers as a standalone project. Licensed, permitted, and complete in 4–8 hours.
Out of Area? We'll Match You
If your ZIP code is outside our current install territory, we'll connect you with a vetted local electrician. Free, no strings attached.
Get Your Free Install Quote
60 seconds · No credit pull · We'll follow up within 1 hour
Installation Cost — 2026
What Does Level 2 EV Charger Installation Actually Cost in California?
Installation labor and permitting is separate from the charger itself. You purchase the charger — we install the dedicated 240V circuit, run the conduit, pull the permit, and hardwire or mount the outlet. Most California homeowners pay $500–$1,800 for installation labor depending on their panel, location, and whether a panel upgrade is needed.
Panel has capacity, charger location is within 25 ft of breaker box, no conduit run through walls or attic needed.
- 200A panel with open slot
- Charger mounted near garage panel
- Standard NEMA 14-50 or hardwire
- 4–6 hour install
Panel has capacity but charger location requires conduit through attic, drywall, or exterior stucco — or a run longer than 25 ft.
- 200A panel with open slot
- 25–60 ft conduit run
- Exterior mounting or through-wall work
- 6–8 hour install
Older homes with 100A panels or maxed-out 200A panels need a service upgrade before a Level 2 charger can be safely installed.
- 100A → 200A panel upgrade
- Utility coordination required
- Add $800–$2,000 for panel work
- May require separate electrician permit
✓ What's Included in Our Install Price
- Dedicated 240V circuit installation
- Conduit run to charger location
- NEMA 14-50 outlet or hardwire connection
- Permit application and inspection coordination
- Panel assessment before work begins
- Load calculation — confirm panel can handle the circuit
- Final test and charger verification
- Utility rebate eligibility check
Bundle with solar and we combine permits — one install visit, one inspection, no double scheduling.
→ What You Handle Separately
- The charger itself — you purchase from the brand of your choice
- Panel upgrade costs (if needed — quoted separately after assessment)
- Trenching to detached garages (quoted per project)
- Smart charger app setup — manufacturer handles this
- Utility TOU rate enrollment — we'll point you to the right rate schedule
Not sure which charger to order? See our Level 2 EV charger recommendations → — ChargePoint, Emporia, Tesla Wall Connector, and Lectron all reviewed for California TOU rates.
What Determines Your Install Cost?
Every home is different. These are the factors that move the price up or down.
| Factor | Impact on Labor Cost | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Panel size | 200A — no impact | 200A panels with open slots are install-ready. 100A panels need upgrading first. |
| Distance from panel to charger | Adds $150–$600 | Every 10 ft of additional conduit run adds labor and materials. Garage adjacent to panel = cheapest. |
| Conduit routing | Adds $200–$700 | Through-attic, through-wall, or exterior stucco runs add significant labor. Open garage = fastest. |
| Charger type | Minimal impact | NEMA 14-50 plug-in vs. hardwire adds roughly $50–$150 in labor. Either works. |
| Detached garage | Adds $500–$2,000 | Trenching underground conduit to a detached garage is a larger project. Quoted separately. |
| Bundle with solar | Saves $300–$600 | Combined permit and single crew visit eliminates duplicate trip charges and separate inspection fees. |
| Panel upgrade (100A→200A) | Adds $800–$2,000 | Required before Level 2 install on older homes. Quoted after panel assessment. |
Labor costs based on licensed electrician quotes across PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, and SMUD California service territories. Actual cost confirmed after panel assessment. Source: U.S. DOE EV Charging at Home.
Rebates Can Cover a Big Chunk of Your Install Cost
The federal 30C tax credit covers 30% of qualified charger plus installation costs — up to $1,000. It expires June 30, 2026. California utility rebates add another $250–$1,500 depending on your utility — PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, and SMUD all offer EV charger incentives. We check your eligibility as part of every quote — no extra work on your end.
Install Options
Bundle with Solar or Standalone — Which Is Right for You?
Both paths get your charger installed by a licensed electrician, permitted, and ready to charge. The difference is timing, cost, and paperwork. Bundling with solar saves $300–$600 in combined permit and labor costs — but standalone installs are available anytime, no solar required.
Solar + EV Charger Bundle
Install your charger at the same time as your solar system — one crew, one permit, one inspection.
- One combined permit — saves $150–$300 vs. separate permits
- Single crew visit — no scheduling two separate jobs
- One inspection — utility and local authority approve everything together
- Charger wired to solar inverter — enables solar-only charging mode on compatible units
- Save $300–$600 total vs. standalone install later
- 30C tax credit applies to charger + installation combined
Standalone Level 2 Install
Already have solar, or not interested right now? We install your charger as a standalone project on its own permit and schedule.
- Available anytime — no solar required
- Separate permit pulled for the EV circuit
- Scheduled independently — typically within 1–2 weeks
- NEMA 14-50 outlet or hardwire — your choice
- Panel assessment included before work begins
- 30C tax credit still applies on standalone installs
How the Solar + EV Charger Bundle Works
From quote to charging — one project, one timeline
Choose your charger from our recommendations or pick your own. Order it to your home before install day.
Solar system and EV charger circuit go on one permit application. One fee, one approval process.
Our crew installs panels, inverter, and wires your charger circuit on the same day. Typically 1–2 days total.
Once your utility grants Permission to Operate, your solar goes live and your charger is ready. Charge with sunlight from day one.
Chargers We Install in California
You purchase the charger — we install it. These are the models we work with most frequently. Any UL-listed Level 2 charger is installable — if yours isn't listed, just ask.
- 48A / 11.5 kW
- NACS — Tesla & adapter-compatible
- Power Share capable
- 24 ft cable
- 50A / 12 kW
- J1772 — universal
- WiFi TOU scheduling
- 23 ft cable
- 48A / 11.5 kW
- J1772 — universal
- Solar self-consumption mode
- 25 ft cable
- 48A / 11.52 kW
- NACS — Tesla native
- WiFi app · TOU scheduling
- NEMA 14-50 or hardwire
Not sure which charger to order? See our full California EV charger buyer's guide → — ranked by TOU scheduling capability, connector compatibility, and solar self-consumption performance for PG&E, SCE, SMUD, and SDG&E customers.
Common Questions
EV Charger Installation Questions — Answered
Everything California homeowners ask before booking a Level 2 install — answered straight.
Installation labor in California typically runs $500–$1,800 depending on your panel size, how far the charger is from your breaker box, and whether any conduit work is needed. The charger itself is purchased separately. A simple install on an existing 200A panel with the charger near the box runs $500–$900. Longer conduit runs or exterior wall work push the cost to $900–$1,400. If your panel needs upgrading from 100A to 200A, add $800–$2,000. Bundling with a solar install saves $300–$600 on combined permit and labor.
You purchase the charger and have it delivered to your home before install day. We install the dedicated 240V circuit, run the conduit, pull the permit, and hardwire or mount the outlet. This model lets you choose exactly the charger you want — Tesla Wall Connector, ChargePoint, Emporia, Lectron, or any other UL-listed Level 2 unit. Not sure which to order? See our California EV charger guide →
Most Level 2 installs take 4–8 hours on install day. Simple installs on 200A panels near the breaker box run 4–6 hours. Longer conduit runs or exterior mounting takes 6–8 hours. Panel upgrades are a separate visit and typically take a full day. From booking to completed install, most standalone jobs are done within 1–2 weeks depending on permit approval timing.
Yes — a permit is required for any new 240V dedicated circuit in California. We pull the permit as part of every install. Skipping the permit creates liability issues if you ever sell your home or file an insurance claim, and can void the charger's warranty. The permit is included in our install quote — there's no separate fee or paperwork for you to manage.
Two main incentives apply in 2026. The federal 30C tax credit covers 30% of qualified charger hardware plus installation costs — up to $1,000 total. It expires June 30, 2026, so timing matters. California utility rebates vary by provider: PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, and SMUD all offer EV charger incentives ranging from $250 to $1,500. We check your eligibility as part of every quote — no extra work on your end.
It depends on your charger and goals. A NEMA 14-50 plug-in gives you flexibility — you can swap chargers later without rewiring. Most ChargePoint, Emporia, and Lectron units support this. Hardwiring is cleaner, more permanent, and required for some chargers like the Tesla Wall Connector. The labor cost difference is minimal ($50–$150). We recommend hardwiring for maximum speed and reliability, plug-in for maximum flexibility. We'll discuss both options during your panel assessment.
Yes — and it's one of the strongest financial arguments for bundling. When you charge your EV during daylight hours, your solar panels power the charging directly, avoiding grid electricity entirely. Under PG&E and SCE's NEM 3.0, self-consumed solar is worth $0.30–$0.42/kWh in avoided charges — compared to paying $0.35–$0.55/kWh to charge from the grid during peak hours. The Emporia Classic has a dedicated solar self-consumption mode. The Tesla Wall Connector integrates natively with Powerwall for solar-priority charging.
Submit your quote request and include your ZIP code — we'll let you know immediately if you're outside our current install territory. If you are, we'll connect you with a vetted local electrician in your area at no charge. We'd rather send you to someone good than leave you without a path forward. We're expanding our install territory throughout 2026 — California statewide is the goal.
Ready to Get Your Charger Installed?
Free quote · Permit included · Bundle with solar or standalone · All California utilities