Answering
Your EV Charger
Questions

Level 1 is charging at home with a 120-volt circuit (i.e., using a standard electrical outlet). This normally provides 3-5 miles of charging per hour.

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.

Most standard installations range from $799 to $1,999, 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, Newco will prepare a custom quotation.

If your panel lacks the ampacity to handle the new charging load, or the space to add a new 2-pole breaker, a Newco-certified installer can upgrade your panel to provide additional capacity.

The standard installation cost does not include the purchase price of a Level 2 charger, which runs about $500 to $800.

When you purchase a new EV, it may come with a charging cord – Level 1 or Level 2. If you want a Level 2 charging station and it is not included with your EV purchase, Newco will be happy to assist you with purchasing one.

An average 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 Newco-certified installer will handle all required permitting and inspections.

There are many reasons to pull a city permit, 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 additional services are required for code compliance, the city inspector is there to catch it and ensure it is updated 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 Newco installation network must comply with our stringent certification standards and provide proof of:

Current business licenses

Current electrical licenses

Liability Insurance, Workers Comp Insurance, and Auto Insurance

Rigorous background checks for Newco-certified installation electricians include:

Criminal history

Motor vehicle history

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 instantly receive an upfront 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 Newco-certified installer will visit the site to determine the best way to proceed.

We are also happy to speak to the landlord and/or property management on your behalf.