PG&E wants to help customers get faster EV charging without expensive upgrades—and also keep the electric grid running smoothly for everyone. As more people charge EVs at home, especially during peak hours, it can strain the grid. If too many homes in a neighborhood are pulling a lot of power at the same time, it can cause overloads. This initiative helps spread out energy use in a smarter way, so your neighborhood—and the whole grid—stays reliable and affordable.

You might choose a panel upgrade if planning further electrical expansions that exceed the ChargeBoost meter's capacity; otherwise, ChargeBoost is a cost-effective solution for enhancing EV charging.

The ChargeBoost initiative is ideal for homeowners wanting to upgrade from slow Level 1 to faster Level 2 charging without costly panel upgrades, offering a cost-effective and convenient solution.

No, the only criteria needed for eligibility is that you are a single-family home owner.

Yes! If you are planning to purchase a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or battery electric vehicle (BEV) in the future, you can enroll in ChargeBoost and get your new advanced smart meter installed now. That way, your home will be ready for faster Level 2 charging whenever you're ready to plug in. It's one less thing to worry about when you make the switch.

Your EV charging speed may adjust automatically when your home is using a lot of electricity at the same time. For example, if your air conditioner, electric oven, and other appliances are running simultaneously, your EV charging may temporarily slow down. This smart feature prevents overloading your electrical panel, eliminating the need for an expensive panel upgrade. Your EV will still charge completely, but might take longer during periods of peak household usage.

Your power may briefly be turned off for up to five minutes during installation. PG&E will minimize disruptions and inform you in advance.

Meter swap takes about 30 minutes. You don't need to be home as long as a PG&E service representative is able to access your meter.

This connection allows the devices to communicate and intelligently manage charging based on your home's current electrical demand. Your home Wi-Fi must remain connected to both your new meter and charger for optimal performance. If your Wi-Fi disconnects, your charger will default to Level 1 until it is reconnected. We will notify you if we see it is disconnected.

Difference between Level 1 and Level 2 charging

If you're wondering what Level 1 vs. Level 2 charging actually means—you're not alone. Here's a simple breakdown to help you understand how they differ, how it affects your EV experience, and how PG&E's ChargeBoost initiative helps you get faster charging at home without costly electrical upgrades.

Level 1 charging:

Most plug-in EVs come with a charger that plugs into a regular 120V household outlet—the same kind you use for a toaster or lamp. This is known as Level 1 charging.

• Uses a standard wall outlet—no extra equipment needed
• Charging is slow—typically 3-5 miles of range per hour
• Takes 8-16 hours to fully charge, depending on your battery size

Level 2 charging:

Level 2 charging uses a 240V outlet—similar to what a dryer uses—and is much faster.

• Adds 20-30 miles of range per hour
• Fully charges most EVs in 3-5 hours
• Requires a Level 2 charger ($400-700 to purchase)
• Must be installed by an electrician (typically $200-$800, depending on complexity)

Many homeowners also need to upgrade their main electrical panel to support Level 2 charging—which can cost thousands. But with PG&E's ChargeBoost initiative, you can skip that step. PG&E installs a new smart meter at no cost, enabling Level 2 charging without a panel upgrade.

Only if your existing charger is the Emporia Classic Level 2 EV Charger. If not, you will need to purchase the Emporia Classic Level 2 EV Charger.
Additional compatible EV charger options may be added over time.

This situation varies from home to home and depends on the total electrical load your home can support. If you need to charge more than one vehicle at a time, you can use your Level 2 charger to charge one and a Level 1 charger to charge the other. If other appliances are also running at the same time, you may see a substantial adjustment to charging speed of both vehicles.

No—Level 2 charging isn’t more expensive than Level 1 charging.
You pay for the amount of electricity you use, not how fast you use it.

Think of it like filling a bucket of water: whether you use a garden hose (Level 1) or a fire hose (Level 2), you're still filling the same bucket. Level 2 just gets it done faster whilet the total amount of water (or electricity) stays the same.

Your monthly charging cost depends on:

• How much you drive
• Your car's battery size
• Your electricity rate

So even though Level 2 is faster, it doesn't cost more just because it's faster.