EV Charger Installation in Sacramento

Which charger and circuit do you need?

The charger's current sets the circuit size. Chargers run continuously, so the circuit has to be rated at 125% of the charging current.

Setup	Circuit	Approx. range added per hour*
Level 1 (standard outlet)	120V, existing 15–20A outlet	3–5 miles
Level 2, 32A charger	240V, 40A circuit	~25–30 miles
NEMA 14-50 outlet (plug-in charger at 40A)	240V, 50A circuit	~30–35 miles
Level 2, 48A hardwired (e.g. Tesla Wall Connector)	240V, 60A circuit	~35–45 miles

*Actual speed depends on your car's onboard charger. Many EVs max out around 7–11 kW, so a bigger circuit doesn't always charge faster.

Hardwired or plug-in? A hardwired charger is the more robust choice for daily use and allows the full 48A. A NEMA 14-50 outlet is flexible, but it needs a quality industrial-grade receptacle and GFCI protection.

Does your panel have room for an EV charger?

This is the question that decides the cost. Many Sacramento homes, especially older ones, have 100A service that's already busy with A/C, a dryer and a range. We check three things:

• Capacity. A load calculation shows how much headroom your service really has.
• Space. Whether there's physical room for a two-pole breaker.
• Distance. How far the panel is from where you park. Wire size and labor go up with the run.

If capacity is tight, you usually have options short of a full panel upgrade. You can set the charger to a lower current, or add load management that slows charging when other big appliances run.

What does EV charger installation cost in Sacramento?

Approximate Sacramento-area ranges for Level 2 installs (permit included, charger not included)

Job	Approximate range
Panel in or next to the garage, short run	$800 – $1,500
Longer run (panel across the house, attic or crawlspace)	$1,500 – $2,500
Detached garage or driveway pedestal (trenching)	$2,500 – $5,000

These are approximate ranges, not quotes. They're based on typical Sacramento-area jobs. Your price depends on what we find at your home: panel condition, distance, access and permit fees. If your panel needs an upgrade to support the charger, see our panel upgrade ranges. You'll get a clear price before any work starts.

What moves the price:

• Distance and path from the panel to the parking spot: through the garage, the attic, a crawlspace or underground.
• Panel capacity. Whether you need load management, a subpanel or a service upgrade.
• Detached garages and driveway pedestals, which need trenching or conduit.
• The charger. We install the charger you buy, or we can recommend one.

Driving a Tesla? See our Tesla Wall Connector installation page.

SMUD and utility EV rebates

SMUD has offered incentives to its customers for home Level 2 chargers and installation, and PG&E and Roseville Electric run their own programs from time to time. Amounts and eligibility change, so check your utility's current EV page before you buy a charger. Some programs require a specific charger model or a permitted install.

We give you the itemized invoice and the finaled permit that rebate applications usually ask for.

How the install works

1. Quick assessment. Photos of your panel and parking spot, or a short site visit.
2. Load calculation and upfront price, including the circuit size and the route.
3. Permit. We pull it from the City of Sacramento, Sacramento County or your city.
4. Install. Most installs are done in a single visit. We mount the charger, run the circuit, and test and set the charger's current to match the breaker.
5. Inspection. We meet the inspector and hand you the signed-off permit.

Chargers we install

We install most UL-listed Level 2 chargers, including the Tesla Wall Connector, ChargePoint Home Flex and other hardwired or plug-in units. We also install NEMA 14-50 outlets for portable chargers. Not sure what to buy? We'll recommend one that fits your car, your panel and any rebate you're applying for.

Where we install EV chargers

Throughout Sacramento and nearby cities, including Roseville, Elk Grove, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Rocklin, Natomas, Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights and Davis.

EV charger installation FAQ