Every week we get the same question from new EV owners in O'Fallon, St. Peters, Chesterfield, and across the metro: what will it cost to put a charger in my garage? The honest answer is that it depends on your house, so here is what actually drives the number.
Distance from the panel to the charger
A Level 2 charger needs its own 240-volt circuit, usually 40 to 60 amps, run from the panel to the charging location. If your panel is in the garage, that is a short, simple run. If the panel is in a finished basement on the other side of the house, we are fishing heavy cable through finished spaces or running conduit outside, and labor goes up accordingly. Detached garages usually require trenching and underground conduit.
Whether your panel has capacity
A 200-amp service with open breaker slots can usually take a charger. A 100-amp service, or a 200-amp service already feeding an electric range, a heat pump, and a hot tub, may not. We perform a load calculation before quoting. If capacity is tight, a load-management device that pauses charging when the house is busy is often far cheaper than a full panel upgrade.
Hardwired charger vs. NEMA 14-50 outlet
A NEMA 14-50 outlet lets you plug in a portable charger and take it with you. A hardwired wall connector supports up to 48 amps, avoids plug wear, and is what Tesla and several other manufacturers recommend for their fastest home charging. The wiring cost is similar; the difference is mainly the charger you buy.
Permits and inspection
A new 240-volt circuit requires an electrical permit and inspection in St. Charles County, St. Louis County, and the municipalities we serve. We include the permit in our quote and meet the inspector.
Rebates
Ameren Missouri has offered incentives for residential Level 2 charging equipment, and federal tax credits have applied in qualifying census tracts. These programs change; ask us about current options when we quote and we will provide the itemized invoice they require.
Getting a firm number
Send us a few photos of your panel (door open), the wall where you want the charger, and the path between them, and we can usually quote flat-rate without a site visit. Learn more about EV charger installation or request a quote.
Talk to a licensed electrician
Questions about your home or building? Request a quote or schedule online. Flat-rate quotes, no pressure.
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