Level 1 is charging at home with a 120-volt circuit (i.e., using a standard electrical outlet). This normally provides 8 km/hr of charging.

Level 2 is charging with a 240-volt circuit in the home or workplace. This requires professional installation of either a NEMA 14-50 outlet or a hardwired charging station, and can usually refill your EV battery overnight. Qmerit and our certified installers make your Level 2 installation easy, delivering the highest levels of safety and quality at competitive pricing.

Level 3 or Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) uses a 480-volt DC circuit, and typically provides about an 80% charge in just 30 minutes. These charging stations are generally found at commercial sites such as shopping centers or highway rest areas.

A hardwired charger is recommended over plug-in installation. The main reason is that many local electrical inspectors require the use of a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupting (GFCI) breaker when adding the 240-volt circuit needed for a NEMA 14-50 plug. However, most Level 2 chargers come equipped with an internal GFCI. Having two GFCIs on the same circuit can cause nuisance tripping.

If you need a Level 2 charging station, we recommend purchasing one of these top brands:

All of these leading charger manufacturers partner with Qmerit to provide trusted installation solutions for their customers.

Most standard installations range from $750 to $1,750, not including the purchase price of a Level 2 charger (about $500 to $800, depending on the model and its options).

The cost of a standard installation includes the labor, materials and expertise needed to add a circuit and either install a NEMA 14-50 electrical outlet, or hardwire your charging station and mount it on your wall.

For standard installation service, your garage must be attached to the home and your electrical panel must have:

• Sufficient ampacity to handle the new charging station load
• Enough room to accommodate a new 2-pole breaker

If your home does not meet these requirements, Qmerit will prepare a custom installation.

If your panel lacks the ampacity to handle the new charging load, or the space to add a new 2-pole breaker, a Qmerit-certified installer can upgrade your panel to provide additional capacity. Qmerit can also talk to you about adding an energy management system to allow charging at times when your home is consuming the least energy (e.g., at night).

The standard installation cost does not include the purchase price of a Level 2 charger, which runs about $800 to $1295.

When you purchase a new EV, it usually comes with a charger—either a Level 1 charging cord or a Level 2 charging station. If you want a Level 2 charging station and it is not included with your EV purchase, Qmerit will be happy to provide one for you.

A standard installation can usually be completed in half a day. More complex installations—for such as those that require trenching or a panel upgrade—may take a bit longer.

Adding a 240-volt electrical appliance—like an EV charging station—often requires a permit from your local jurisdiction. Depending on where you live, permitting processes can vary widely, and costs can range from about $50 to $500. In addition to the city permit fee, that cost may include the contractor’s time in creating and presenting documentation to your local building department and inspector.

To simplify the installation experience, your Qmerit-certified installer will handle all required permitting and inspections.

There are many reasons to pull a city permit where required, including:

• Safety and protection – All electrical upgrades must be done properly to void electrical and fire hazard risk. Permitting provides a final inspection process to confirm your upgrade was completed safely and according to electrical code specifications. If a mistake is made, the city inspector is there to catch it and ensure it is corrected right away.
• Homeowners insurance – If you ever need to file a claim involving an electrical circuit upgrade, your insurance company will likely require evidence the work was properly permitted.
• Warranty – Our industry-leading technology platform enables your Qmerit-certified installer to document installation details that are helpful if your charger needs service or warranty attention in the future.

All electrical contractors in the Qmerit installation network must comply with our stringent certification standards, pass rigorous background checks and provide proof of:

• Current business licenses
• Current electrical licenses
• Proper insurances

Go to our EV Charger Installation page for a quick overview, and click on the “Get Your Estimate Now” button to begin our simple EV Charging Assessment. You’ll answer a few questions about your home, upload a few pictures—and receive an upfront pricing estimate.

After you complete our brief EV Charging Assessment, you’ll be matched with one of our certified installers, who will confirm your project scope and installation cost (including any permits). If you approve, you can schedule your installation directly with the installer at your convenience.

Before having an EV charging station installed, you must obtain permission from the landlord and/or property manager. Once you secure this approval, a Qmerit-certified installer will visit the site to determine the best way to proceed.