How Much Does It Cost To Install An Electric Car (EV) Charger In the Monterey Bay area?

With California on a track to go electric for cars, many people wonder, “How much does an electric car charger cost to install?” In this blog post, we will help you understand the costs by tackling some of the questions about electric car chargers.

Here in the Monterey area, it can range on the low end of $600.00 to $900.00 for an electric car charger; it can quite quickly get into the $8,000.00 to $20,000.00 range if large amounts of work are needed to accommodate the electric car you have.

There are several factors that can determine the cost of installing a new electric car charger in Monterey:

1. What model electric car did you get?

2. What is the charging capacity of the vehicle?

3. What type of charging station should I get?

4. What size circuit do you want for the charger?

Let us tackle these questions one by one to help you get a sense of the costs of installing an electric car charger in Monterey. 

A red Tesla electric car being charged.

What model electric car did you get?

Why is this important? Each manufacturer and model will be slightly different. They all put the charging ports in different locations, have different-sized batteries, and charge at different rates.

For example, a Tesla Model 3 can charge at a rate of 44 miles per hour with a Level 2 Charging station powered by a 60 amp 240-volt circuit, while if it is plugged into a 15 amp 240-volt circuit, it will only charge at 11 miles per hour.

What is the charging capacity of the car?

This question closely ties into the model of the car. In our example above on the charging stations, we used the Tesla Model 3. Let us go ahead and use the Tesla Model 3 again to keep things simple. 

Electric vehicles like internal combustion cars and trucks come with varying power and performance options. The Tesla Model 3 currently has three options available to the consumer:

1. The Standard Plus

2. The Long Range Dual Motor

3. The Performance Dual Motor

Each of these three models has different performance capabilities. One is the standard unit, followed by a premium and a more sporty version with a top speed of 162 mph. 

However, the Tesla Model 3 Standard Plus also charges a different rate than the other two. It maxes out at a charge rate of 30 miles per hour, whereas the other two models allow a total charging capacity of 44 miles per hour.

So, if you want to be able to charge faster, you must have that option available on the vehicle and its software.

What type of charging station should I get?

Let’s take a basic look at the options available. In this article, we won’t discuss brands and models of chargers but rather the “Types” of charging stations.

Level One Charging Station

A Level 1 Charging Station is about the most basic that you can get when it comes to charging your vehicle at home. A Level 1 Charging Station is straightforward; it is just a standard 20 amp 120-volt circuit and a standard receptacle you plug into. The cost is less expensive to install and likely doesn’t require upgrading your main electrical service panel.

The drawback is enormous, though. Charging an electric cart can take 17 to 25 hourr, only to go 100 miles. For some people, that would fill their needs, but for most people and families, that won’t work.

Level Two Charging Station

A Level 2 Charging Station is the next step and a severe leap in charging ability. This is where the voltage is upped from 120 volts to 240 volts in a home. The amperage can also be upped from 15 amps 240 volts to 60 amps 240 volts. That gives you the ability to charge your electric car much faster, making it a viable option compared to a gas-powered vehicle.

Level Three Charging Station

A Level 3 Charging Station is likely what you will see at a public charging station. These are not options for a home. They are super fast chargers, often called DC Fast Chargers or DCFC for short. They are simply the quickest way electric car owners charge their cars, with some taking only 30 to 60 minutes to charge a vehicle to 80% of its maximum capacity. Several cars,, thoug,h, can handle this type of charging station. 

A logo painted on a parking space to signify it is an electric vehicle parking space.

What size circuit do you want for the charger?

Now that we have tackled the charging station, we will assume we are installing a Level 2 Charging station. The next step is determining the size circuit you need to power that station. Let’s assume you have again purchased the Tesla Model 3, the Long-Range model. We can install a 15 amp 240-volt circuit on the low end and a 60 amp 240-volt circuit on the high end. The higher the amperage, the faster the car is going to charge.

So then, is it best to install the charger to its maximum capability? Shouldn’t you install the 60 amp 240-volt circuit?

Yes, it is nice to get the maximum capacity, but does your leading trial service have the capacity to handle a 60-amp circuit? Here is where the math comes in. We, as electricians, perform what is called a “Load Calculation” to determine whether or not your existing system can handle any additional circuits and, if so, what size or excess capacity your system has.

For example, many homes here in the Monterey Bay area have from 100 amps to 200 amps of capacity available. But we have some of that capacity tied up in the day-to-day functions of our house, running our appliances like dishwashers, refrigerators, ovens, dryers, etc. But when the summer comes, we have the big energy hog, the AC unit. 

Here is an example of what some of these appliances draw:

Refrigerator: 8 amps to 12 amps

Dryer: 23 amps to 28 amps

AC Unit: 24 amps to 50 amps

Hot Tub: 30 amps to 50 amps

As you can see, some of these appliances can consume a lot of power. So if your system can’t handle the additional load of the 50 amp 240 volt Level 2 Charging station, you have two choices. One, you opt for a smaller circuit, maybe 20 amps or 30 amps. But that comes with the drawback of decreasing the number of miles per charge you can do. The second option is to install a more extensive leading electrical service to max out the charging capacity of the Level 2 Charging Station and get the full use and function out of your electric car.

One of the other reasons to consider going with the option of installing a more extensive leading electrical service is to allow more than one vehicle at a time to be charged. With vehicles seemingly going electric in California, we have to start to think about upgrading our home systems to handle not only the added loads of electric cars but also the ability for alternative energy systems like solar panels and backup power such as generators or battery units.

In Conclusion

So, wrapping it all up, we hope this article gives a good look at the options available for getting that new electric car.

You have many options to power and charge the vehicle, some budget-friendly options and some requiring investment into your ho’s electrical infrastructure. If you have any questions about whether your home can handle a Level 2 Charging station in Monterey, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. 

Remember to take a look at our pricing page, where you can find more detailed real-world numbers on installations. 

Call today for a consultation: 831-402-4193