Charging your electric vehicle

On average, the cost of a Level 2 charging station ranges from $500 - $700. A charger may cost more or less depending on key features such as portability, amperage, and WiFi capability.

Choosing Amps

To determine how much power will flow to your car, multiply the Volts by the Amps and divide by 1,000 (Amps x Volts/1,000). For example, a 240-V Level 2 charging station with a 30-amp rating will supply 7.2 kWs (30 x 240 /1,000). After one hour of charging, your EV will add 7.2kW X 1 hr = 7.2 kWh of energy to your vehicle.

To calculate how long it will take to charge the entire capacity of the battery, refer to the manufacturer documents to determine the battery capacity of your EV.

Example based on an all-electric model:

• EV battery capacity – 42kWh
• EV charger energy delivery – 7.2kW
• Total hours to charge = EV battery capacity / EV charger energy delivery = hours
• 42kWh / 7.2kW = 5.83 hours

On average, Americans drive 30 miles per day. If you want more than 50 miles of range from overnight charging, you will need a station with at least 16 amps. Level 2 residential chargers range from 16 to 80 amps.

Charging times, range and size of battery vary by vehicle.

The chart above assumes:

• Chargers are operating on a 240-volt outlet.
• Your vehicle travels 3.1 miles per kilowatt-hour.

Use PG&E Marketplace to search and compare Level 2 residential charging stations from a range of retailers. You can also read customer reviews and purchase chargers directly from the retailers.

Consider portability

Decide if you want a hard-wired and permanently-mounted charger, or a portable unit that simply plugs into a 240-volt outlet and will hang on the wall. Portable chargers allow you to take the charger with you if you move.

Cord length

Determine where your charger will be located. Note that the further the charger is from your home's utility panel, the more costly the installation. Measure the distance from where your car will be parked to your charger location to determine the required cable length. Cables range from 12 to 25 feet.

Smart connectivity

Smart chargers connect to your WiFi and allow you to program charging from your phone and monitor your charging habits. However, most EV drivers now have the ability to control charging through their car's own app.

Follow the steps below to guide your EV charger installation.

Get help with choosing and installing the right charging station for your home. View the charger installation checklist (PDF, 277 KB).

The average cost for installing a Level 2 charging station ranges from $400 to $1,200 excluding charger cost.
PLEASE NOTE: Installation costs will vary depending on electrical upgrades, cable length, and other features identified below.

Use the free online services listed below to find local EV charging station installers in your area. In addition to providing quotes from local installers, the sites also include customer reviews and helpful installation information. To obtain quotes, you may be asked to provide your installation timeline, property type (house or apartment), ownership rights, EV charger type and installation location, and confirm your dedicated voltage. PG&E is not responsible for the requirements of these online services, which are subject to the terms and conditions of the online service provider.

*Enter your ZIP Code on the site to determine if your area is served.

Discussing installation with your property manager.

California law requires property owners to allow tenants to install a residential charging station. Tenants cannot be denied a request to install a residential charging station if the tenant pays for the installation, maintenance, insurance and removal of the charging station. However, there are certain residential rental conditions where this law does not apply. For example, if there are already EV charging stations for 10 percent or more of the designated parking spaces for renters, the law does not apply. Review additional California legislative details.

Help your property owner understand options by educating yourself

• Determine demand. Perform a residential survey to see how many residents have an EV or planning to buy one. Review an example residential survey.
• Electrical capacity. Talk with an electrician to understand your property’s electrical capacity for adding a charging station.
• Charger options. Choose a charging station that best meets your specific property’s requirements. This will help show associated costs.
• Covering costs. Make clear you’ll cover the installation costs and the ongoing costs of electricity.
• Funding. Research and apply for incentives to install a charging station. Visit Drive Clean to learn about incentives available in your area.
• Best practices. Find other installed charging stations in your neighborhood to show support of EVs within the community.

Share property benefits of having EV chargers on site

• Charging stations will help make the property manager a leader in sustainability.
• As EVs continue to gain popularity, more residents will be interested in charging stations.
• Charging stations can help the property receive Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) points.
• Installing charging stations can increase property value and give a competitive advantage for new tenants.

Obtain permission to install an EV charging station

Once you’ve received approval to install a charging station, review our installation checklist for step-by-step information on how to install your EV level 2 charger.