Cost of Charger Installation by Electrician

[ARK]

If you want to take advantage of the full 48-amp charging for the Mach-E a minimum 60-amp Circuit Breaker is required. The ChargePoint can offer 50 amps... but the Mach-E wont pull more than 48 (that's the limit of it's internal charger).

Not sure where the electrician got the idea that a 50-amp circuit was ok for a 48-amp continuous load for EV charging ... or where he got the idea that EV's don't pull more than 40 amps (there are Tesla home chargers that can handle 80 amps).

That’s what I told him, he would straight not believe me that EVs out there can charge at 48amps on a L2 charger. I told him all Teslas and the Mach-E can do it, and maybe he was thinking of some earlier EVs like the Bolt or Leaf.

What was more shocking was that he told me that since he was planning on putting in 50amp service because he had decided on his own that I only needed 40 amp service even though I specifically told him I want it hardwired because the NEMA outlet could not handle the charge rate I wanted and sent him a link to the ChargePoint Home Flex I bought a month ago showing its capability up to 50amps, he said I could just run the EVSE at 48amps on the 50 amp service.

If it wasn’t for this forum, I would have no idea about that 80% rule and would have probably just said OK for that non-spec setup. But this is going to involve a ton of power for a home setting, going to likely lead to overnight unattended charging for hours on end, and some EVs have unfortunately had battery fire issues (though luckily none for the MME) - this is not somewhere I wanted a corner cut.

Sponsored

 

[dbsb3233]

That was a misunderstanding on my part, I thought a subpanel was I guess like a ‘supplemental panel’, where you increased the max amps coming into your house. But from what you and maquis said, plainly I don’t need a subpanel if my main panel is only several feet away from where the EVSE is going to go.

I should find out today how much of an electrician EVSE install premium I will be paying. As I understand it now, the permit cost would probably run $100-$150 and the materials would be what, $50 or so if it is just several feet of wiring capable of handling 48 amps. That puts his labor around around $750 to $800 from his $950 quote.

This same electrician was at my house a few years ago to troubleshoot an issue where half my house kept losing power. In the end, it turned out to be a loose connection in an outlet causing some problem, but it took over 3 hours form him to go through seemingly all the outlets in the house before finding it. He charged like $350 then, suggesting an hourly rate around $100. Somehow I doubt this EVSE install will this will take him anywhere near 7 to 8 hours to do!

Yep, if he's just running it a few feet from the panel, and there's no drywall repair that needs to be done, then that shouldn't take him more than an hour or two. Pretty straightforward. Breaker + wire should be <$100. Maybe some conduit, depending on whether he's running it inside the wall or on front of it, but that's just a few bucks too.

I know things tend to be more expensive in CA, but that's quite a bit for such a simple install. Almost like he's charging you the same as if it were a longer/tougher install.

I also suspect a lot of these guys know that customers are getting a 30% tax credit for an EV install, so they're jacking their quotes up accordingly. If you're not already stuck with that electrician, I'd be tempted to get quotes from 1 or 2 more. And explain to them how simply your install is whe you call (i.e. just running it a few feet from the panel that's in the garage). 60A breaker hardwirsed to a 48A EVSE.

 

[TheSeg]

Did everyone have an inspection done or only if it was specifically required?

For my install in Alameda, CA: A city inspector needed to come by with the electrician a few days after. Straight forward and quick because the job itself was very simple.

 

[ARK]

I finally got my ChargePoint Home Flex installed. Electrician ended up charging $750 + cost of permit (I do not have the final cost yet).

Problem is, he installed it as plug-in with a 50amp breaker even though I specifically told him I wanted to it to be hardwired in order to charge at 48amps (i.e. it would need a 60amp breaker minimum per the National Electrical Code).

He fought me on this, claiming I only need a 50amp breaker for 48amp charging. I sent him this page from ChargePoint specifying the max charging speed that goes with each type of breaker and he reversed himself and told me he will be back tomorrow morning to switch out the 50amp breaker for a 60amp breaker.

Problem is the installation is still on a NEMA 14-50 plug. He assures me that the plug is rated to 60amps and it is no problem to charge at 48amps. Does anyone know if he is right? He says the NEMA 14-50 plug he installed is rated to 60amps, the wiring is similarly rated, and the breaker is similarly rated. Is there a problem if I 'lie' to the ChargePoint app and say I have a hardwired unit 60amp breaker when it is a plug-in unit on a 60amp breaker? Otherwise, if I choose plug-in unit, I am limited to choosing a 50amp breaker as the maximum charging speed.

I guess I could tell him to get rid of the NEMA 14-50 plug and make it a hardwired install, but I like having the plug if I can safely keep it and operate it at 48amps.

 

[dbsb3233]

I finally got my ChargePoint Home Flex installed. Electrician ended up charging $750 + cost of permit (I do not have the final cost yet).

Problem is, he installed it as plug-in with a 50amp breaker even though I specifically told him I wanted to it to be hardwired in order to charge at 48amps (i.e. it would need a 60amp breaker minimum per the National Electrical Code).

He fought me on this, claiming I only need a 50amp breaker for 48amp charging. I sent him this page from ChargePoint specifying the max charging speed that goes with each type of breaker and he reversed himself and told me he will be back tomorrow morning to switch out the 50amp breaker for a 60amp breaker.

Problem is the installation is still on a NEMA 14-50 plug. He assures me that the plug is rated to 60amps and it is no problem to charge at 48amps. Does anyone know if he is right? He says the NEMA 14-50 plug he installed is rated to 60amps, the wiring is similarly rated, and the breaker is similarly rated. Is there a problem if I 'lie' to the ChargePoint app and say I have a hardwired unit 60amp breaker when it is a plug-in unit on a 60amp breaker? Otherwise, if I choose plug-in unit, I am limited to choosing a 50amp breaker as the maximum charging speed.

I guess I could tell him to get rid of the NEMA 14-50 plug and make it a hardwired install, but I like having the plug if I can safely keep it and operate it at 48amps.

I don't know how bad it is to use a 14-50 plug on a 60A circuit drawing 48A, but everything I read says that's wrong. The whole point of a 14-50 outlet is it's rated for a 50A max circuit (and you're only supposed to draw up to 80% of any circuit max).

Chargepoint makes that clear too:

https://www.chargepoint.com/drivers/home/installation/flex/

Can I install Flex using a NEMA 14-50 or 6-50 outlet to charge at 48A or 50A?

No. ChargePoint Home Flex plug-in installation with a NEMA 6-50 or 14-50 outlet requires circuits rated 40A or 50A (for 32A or 40A charging, respectively). For other circuit/breaker ratings (20A, 30A, 60A, 70A, 80A), the plug is easily removed for hardwired installation using the 3/4" trade size conduit opening in the bottom or rear of the unit. Please have your electrician consult the ChargePoint Home Flex installation guide for additional guidance.

https://chargepoint.ent.box.com/v/Flex-Install-EN-US

 

[MattG]

Problem is the installation is still on a NEMA 14-50 plug. He assures me that the plug is rated to 60amps and it is no problem to charge at 48amps.

Normally the right answer would be “find a new electrician ASAP” but you’re in too deep. That won’t pass inspection.

 

[digdug52]

Normally the right answer would be “find a new electrician ASAP” but you’re in too deep. That won’t pass inspection.

I would say the same, you seem to be stuck with this electrician. 60 amp on a NEMA 14-50 will not pass inspection. If you want 48 amps, you will need the 60 amp breaker and hardwire the EVSE. Is there a reason you want 48 amps instead of 40 amps? It is only 20% more kW which will not add that much more to your charging time.

 

[ARK]

I would say the same, you seem to be stuck with this electrician. 60 amp on a NEMA 14-50 will not pass inspection. If you want 48 amps, you will need the 60 amp breaker and hardwire the EVSE. Is there a reason you want 48 amps instead of 40 amps? It is only 20% more kW which will not add that much more to your charging time.

It's more that I want the prep work done to be able to charge at 48amps in the future possibly with other EVs so I don't have to get this electrical work redone in 5, 10 years - for example, if 300kwh batteries become a thing in several years and 40amp charging feels inadequate. Basically trying to get it done right once and never have to deal with an electrician for this again.

My city's EVSE rebate is also a bit ambiguous - it suggests that I need to have the EVSE hardwired in order to get the full rebate from the department of water and power.

My plan is to charge my standard range Mach-E at 32 amps even though as currently installed, I can use my ChargePoint Home Flex at 40 amps. I would charge it faster if I was ever in a bind and forgot to charge or something along those lines - that's another scenario where I would appreciate the ability to charge at 48amps.

But the inspection issue aside, is it safe to charge at 48 amps through a plug-in EVSE? My electrician is claiming that the breaker and wiring can handle 48amps fine as it is rated up to 60 amps. He says even the NEMA 14-50 outlet he put in is rated at 60amps. But might he be misinformed, that there is no such thing as a NEMA 14-50 outlet that is rated at 60amps (separate and aside from the issue that this plainly doesn't conform with NEC requirements because the NEC says 'no' to plugging in anything over 50amps)?

 

[digdug52]

It's more that I want the prep work done to be able to charge at 48amps in the future possibly with other EVs so I don't have to get this electrical work redone in 5, 10 years - for example, if 300kwh batteries become a thing in several years and 40amp charging feels inadequate. Basically trying to get it done right once and never have to deal with an electrician for this again.

My city's EVSE rebate is also a bit ambiguous - it suggests that I need to have the EVSE hardwired in order to get the full rebate from the department of water and power.

My plan is to charge my standard range Mach-E at 32 amps even though as currently installed, I can use my ChargePoint Home Flex at 40 amps. I would charge it faster if I was ever in a bind and forgot to charge or something along those lines - that's another scenario where I would appreciate the ability to charge at 48amps.

But the inspection issue aside, is it safe to charge at 48 amps through a plug-in EVSE? My electrician is claiming that the breaker and wiring can handle 48amps fine as it is rated up to 60 amps. He says even the NEMA 14-50 outlet he put in is rated at 60amps. But might he be misinformed, that there is no such thing as a NEMA 14-50 outlet that is rated at 60amps (separate and aside from the issue that this plainly doesn't conform with NEC requirements because the NEC says 'no' to plugging in anything over 50amps)?

You would need to check the specifics of the EVSE but I would think due to codes that any EVSE would handle the max allowed by the plug-in cord attached, in this case a 14-50 would max at 40 amps even if the 14-50 plug is on a circuit with a 60 amp breaker. I am not an electrician or electrical engineer so I am not an expert, just a few years of reading the charging questions on Tesla forums. Someone on this forum with the professional credentials might have a better answer.

Oh, and btw, I have a 48 amp EVSE but the Tesla Wall Connector can only be hardwired and the load test on my panel allowed for 60 amp breaker. I completely understand your reasons for the 48 amp output based on rebates and future proofing.

 

[MattG]

But the inspection issue aside, is it safe to charge at 48 amps through a plug-in EVSE?

I suspect it’s “safe”. The NEC is designed to keep things safe in all possible scenarios....it and the designs like that socket are by necessity conservative. If the socket were located in a cool location (not outdoors in Arizona sun), that’d give you an extra bit of margin to help handle the higher temps the extra current draw would produce. Also, if it‘s a brand new socket and not frequently plugged/unplugged, that should increase the safety.

I suspect there are few if any examples of a 48A continuous load pulled through a 14-50 socket in the real world. Your electrician’s confidence in that application does not seem well-informed.

 

[dbsb3233]

I suspect it’s “safe”. The NEC is designed to keep things safe in all possible scenarios....it and the designs like that socket are by necessity conservative. If the socket were located in a cool location (not outdoors in Arizona sun), that’d give you an extra bit of margin to help handle the higher temps the extra current draw would produce. Also, if it‘s a brand new socket and not frequently plugged/unplugged, that should increase the safety.

I suspect there are few if any examples of a 48A continuous load pulled through a 14-50 socket in the real world. Your electrician’s confidence in that application does not seem well-informed.

Yep. All these component ratings are extra cautious (like the 80% rule). Most likely it would work fine. The excess of caution also accounts for long-term degradation of the cord and outlet.

If plugging in a rarely-used welder, I'd have little concern. But an EVSE is a continuous draw for many hours, night after night. That constant heat will degrade the outlet contacts and the insulated flexible cord faster than it will a welder. The risk is probably still small, but it's not as tiny as it's designed to be.

 

[fallguy]

Mine was $375. Put in the garage just under the breaker box.

 

[GoosePond08]

Just signed my recent quote. Tech sent an estimate of $425. Lowest I got, and 100% most knowledgeable tech that came to the house out of four. Looking forward to it.

 

[krafty81]

I paid around 600 at HD for a Chargepoint HomeFlex charger. 14-50 with plug. Very well made. I get 30% back from CA tax for both installation and charger. Electrician charged 325 to put in 60A breaker into my box (had room), run conduit inside garage to charger. Everything included. Charger setup with App was a snap, works with Alexa too! I will charge at 40A, the most you can do with a plug-in unit. Just need the car

 

[hls811]

I was lucky enough to find the exact car I ordered on the lot 2 weeks ago, which I immediately bought and am currently enjoying. The downside of that was that I hadn't yet installed a home charger. I was waiting until I had a production date and even a vague ETA of when I might get my car before getting quotes for that. I'm currently using the home 110v charger for now, but luckily also have access to free L2 ChargePoint charging stations at my work so it hasn't been a real problem. So far, I've gotten three quotes.

Unfortunately, my house is set up in a way that my electrical panel in my basement is at the complete opposite side of my driveway/garage. My family room is on a concrete slab so running the wire under the house isn't an option, and the support beams in the ceiling over my family room run front to back, not side to side, so going over the family room doesn't work either. I had 2 options - Up the wall, into the attic across the attic and back down on the other side, or run it outside, underground around the perimeter of the house. Both are about 100-125' runs. I went with option 1.

I was figuring/hoping this would be about $1000-$1500 to do, My first quote was completely online (qmerit); they quoted $2k based on pics I submitted to their website. My second came in at $2550 I was a bit surprised; he was an electrician i had found in the area and had good feedback A third quote, from an electrician who specializes in EV chargers installs came in at $1600. That seems much better.

I've read this thread and saw some quotes of $500 or so, all the way up to $3500 and I guess the area you live in and the amount of work various - but wow - such a big gap! I guess I'm Ok being on the lower end of it.

The only sucky part of this is that my electric company doesn't have any form of rebate or credit at all. The only reference to anything EV on their website is "$250 complimentary charging on EVgo network with any NEW LEAF® purchase or lease" - its not even them offering it, its a link to Nissans website! its actually sad that they don't offer ANYTHING. Some parts of my town have a different utility company and they offer up to $1500 back on installations; they are very pro-EV. And as of now, the federal 30% credit is gone as well, so this will be 100% out of pocket.

The good news is, I was paying $350/mo in gas, so in 4 and a half months i'll be at a break even point and will really start to see the savings of having an EV.

Sponsored