Free tool

EV charging cost calculator

Check the install price before you sign an electrician quote or buy a faster charger than your car can use. Four answers show the likely installed range, a planning amperage, hardwired vs plug-in, and what the household load calculation still needs to verify. You see the full result before we ask for anything.

0 of 4 answered

No email to see the result

What size is your electrical panel?

The main breaker rating, usually printed on the panel door. Not sure is a fine answer.

How far is the panel from where you park?

A longer run means more conduit and labor. A detached garage can mean a trench or a long pull.

What is your car's max AC charge rate?

Look for the onboard charger on the spec sheet, in amps or kW. A charger faster than this adds nothing.

How much do you drive on a normal day?

This decides how much speed you need overnight. It is often less than the charger salesperson suggests.

Finish the four answers to see the installed-cost range, circuit plan, and the next check that fits your home.

Charging and circuit sources

Reviewed July 12, 2026

The model treats EV charging as a continuous load and sizes the circuit at 125% of charger draw. When you enter the vehicle's AC limit, the recommendation is capped there. If you choose "Not sure," the tool shows a provisional 32A planning baseline that must be checked against the car.

US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center covers home charging, continuous loads, permitting, and qualified-electrician installation.
NFPA continuous-load rule documents branch-circuit overcurrent protection at no less than 125% of the EV charging load.

This is planning guidance, not a code-compliance check. A licensed electrician must run the household load calculation, apply the locally adopted code, and size the final installation.

Cost bands are editorial planning ranges. When a 100A service and a 40A or 48A charger flag likely service work, the estimate adds a $1,500 to $4,000 planning allowance on top of the distance-based charger installation. Load management or a lower charging rate may avoid that work after the load calculation.