There is no single price for a home EV charger installation, because every property is different. The cost depends on the charger you choose, how far it sits from your switchboard, what electrical work your home needs first, and the paperwork. A site assessment is the only way to get a firm quote.
If you have searched for the price of a home EV charger installation, you will have seen a lot of numbers and very little agreement. That is because the honest answer is "it depends". Two homes in the same suburb can need quite different work, so any single figure is a guess.
What we can do is explain what makes up a quote, so you know what to ask and what you are comparing.
1. The charger itself
Chargers vary in more ways than price. Some are simple and some are "smart", with scheduling, app control and the ability to adjust charging to suit your household's other electricity use. Some have the cable attached and others have a socket for your own lead. The right choice depends on your car, how you drive and how you want to manage charging.
Charging speed is a separate question, and the answer depends on both your car and your property, so it is worth discussing with your electrician before you buy.
Before buying, WorkSafe suggests asking the supplier for a copy of the Supplier Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) and giving it to your electrician to review. It is your assurance that the equipment is suitable for use in New Zealand.
2. The cable route
The charger has to be connected to your electrical supply, usually from your switchboard, by a dedicated circuit. The EWRB recommends a dedicated sub-circuit rated for the expected load. So the distance and route between the switchboard and the spot where you want the charger matter:
- A charger on the wall right next to the switchboard is a different job from one on the far side of a garage or house.
- Running cable through finished walls, ceilings, under floors or across concrete takes more time than an exposed run.
- A detached garage or a carport may involve cable outdoors or underground.
3. Your switchboard and incoming supply
This is the part people tend to underestimate. A charger can draw a lot of power for hours at a time, and your installation has to cope with it on top of everything else running in the house. The EWRB notes that for chargers above 15 amps, the installer must make sure the incoming mains will not be overloaded, and that maximum demand and voltage drop need to be checked. It also says that managing load by asking the household to switch the charger on and off is not acceptable.
Depending on what the electrician finds, the answer might be:
- Your existing setup is suitable as it is.
- Your charger needs to be set up to moderate its charging rate.
- Some switchboard upgrade work is needed first, which will add to the cost.
WorkSafe also notes that older wiring may need upgrading, because high-draw devices can create heat that older wiring was not designed to cope with.
4. Protection devices
WorkSafe recommends asking your electrician about residual current device (RCD) protection for the charger. Its guidance says the more common Type A RCDs found in many homes are not suitable to protect against every fault an EV charger can produce, and that a Type B RCD is the most appropriate kind. Your electrician will advise on what protection suits the charger you have chosen, and it is a line item worth seeing in a quote.
5. Paperwork and approvals
A proper installation includes a Certificate of Compliance, with the charger's SDoC attached, according to the EWRB. Keep these with your home records.
Depending on your property and charger size, your electrician may also need to tell your lines company about the connection. In Dunedin that is Aurora Energy. Your electrician will know whether that applies to your job.
6. Everything else on site
Smaller things add up: mounting on a wall or post, weatherproofing for an outdoor location, access, and how much making good is needed afterwards.
How to compare quotes properly
A cheaper quote is not necessarily a better one if it leaves things out. When you are comparing, check that each quote tells you:
- The charger make and model, and whether it is tethered or socketed.
- The length and route of the cable run.
- What protection devices are included.
- Whether any switchboard or supply work is included, or flagged as a possible extra.
- That a Certificate of Compliance and the SDoC paperwork are included.
- Who your installer is and that they hold a current practising licence.
If a quote is given without anyone looking at the property, ask what assumptions it is based on.
Getting a quote that means something
The most useful step is a site assessment, where an electrician looks at your switchboard, supply and the spot you have in mind. Honest Electrical is an Evnex Installation Partner in Dunedin, and you can ask us about an EV charger installation. We will give you a clear quote once we have seen what your property needs.