Installing an EV charger at home in the Pacific Northwest typically costs between $800 and $2,500 total – equipment plus installation. Here’s where that money goes.
Equipment Cost
Level 1 (120V): Free if you use the cord that came with your car. Just plug into any standard outlet. Adds 3-5 miles of range per hour. Works fine if you drive less than 40 miles daily and can charge overnight.
Level 2 (240V): $400-700 for the charger unit. This is what most people want – it adds 20-30 miles of range per hour. Full overnight charging even for large battery packs.
Installation Cost
Simple install: $300-600. Your panel is in the garage, has spare capacity, and the charger mounts close by. Electrician runs a 50-amp circuit, mounts the charger, done.
Moderate complexity: $600-1,200. Panel is across the house or in a basement. Longer wire runs, possibly through walls or conduit. Still doable without major upgrades.
Panel upgrade required: Add $1,500-3,500. Older homes (pre-1990s especially) often have 100-amp or 150-amp panels that can’t spare 50 amps for a car charger. Upgrading to 200-amp service requires utility coordination and permit work.
Seattle-Area Specifics
Permit costs run $100-200 in most King County jurisdictions. Seattle requires permits for new 240V circuits. Some suburbs are more relaxed. Your electrician usually handles permit filing.
Labor rates here run higher than national averages. Expect $85-150/hour for licensed electricians in the Seattle metro.
Available Rebates
Check your utility before paying full price:
PSE: Has offered rebates up to $500 for Level 2 charger installation. Programs change yearly – check their current offerings.
Seattle City Light: Offers rebates and has sometimes covered installation costs for income-qualified customers.
Federal tax credit: The 30C credit covers 30% of charger and installation costs, up to $1,000 for residential. Claim on your annual tax return.
Get Multiple Quotes
Installation quotes vary wildly. I’ve seen the same job quoted at $400 from one electrician and $1,200 from another. Get at least three quotes. Make sure they’re pulling permits – unpermitted work can cause problems when you sell your house.
