Installing a home charging station: what does it cost?

It’s decided, you have a charging station installed for your electric vehicle. This convenient solution will save you time and money. Not to mention the pleasure of having a car always ready to go. But what budget should you plan for the installation of a wallbox? From the purchase of the charging station to the installation work, here is an overview of all the expense items…

1 – Buy the wallbox that suits you

To purchase your charging station, start by evaluating your needs. The price can vary enormously depending on the type of equipment chosen. The main criteria to take into account to buy wisely are the power and the functionalities of the terminal.

Power: the faster it is, the more expensive it is!

Which vehicle do you need to charge? Hybrid cars charge quickly because their battery is quite small. But for a 100% electric vehicle, it is better to opt for a terminal adapted to the size of the battery. The more powerful it is, the faster the terminal… and the more expensive it is!

What are your needs ?

  • Small vehicle, low mileage: a 3.7 kW or 7.4 kW terminal;
  • Average vehicle, daily outings: a 7.4 kW or 11 kW charging station;
  • Powerful vehicle, high mileage: an 11 kW or 22 kW charging station. Attention : many vehicles, even powerful ones, are limited to 11 kW!
  • Various needs: an adjustable terminal from 0 to 22 kW. A kiosk that adapts to your needs, that’s great! But more expensive.

The power also depends on your installation:

  • The terminals generally operate in single phase. Count at least 1250 € for a 7 kW terminal. There are less powerful terminals, at the entry level, around 600 €.
  • If your home is equipped with three-phase, recharging your vehicle will be much faster, even with a 7.4 kW terminal. A full charge in three to five hours is worth it, right? Well, if you opt for a 22 kW wallbox, plan rather 2000 €.

The functionalities: a smart or basic terminal?

The purchase price of your terminal also depends on its options. Some have advanced features, others are simpler. What do you need ?

  • A basic terminal : the most economical, but without options… The entry level is around 600 euros.
  • An advanced kiosk with common features : LED screen, badge reader, Wi-Fi connection… (Each option raises the bill a little; do not hesitate to compare.)
  • A double terminal : if you have two electric vehicles to charge simultaneously.
  • A smart terminal (latest generation) : connected by Wifi or Bluetooth, it communicates via a mobile application which allows you to monitor your charging remotely, program it, control the power, control the electricity consumption… For this type of very advanced terminal, plan several tens of thousands of euros.

The brand: which manufacturer?

For the same model, the price can vary a lot from one brand to another. Do not hesitate to compare among the three types of manufacturers:

  • Well-known brands of electrical equipment sell many models. Examples include Schneider, Legrand, Hager, etc.
  • The Car manufacturers offer their own terminals, adapted to the vehicles of their brand (and it is often a little more expensive).
  • The manufacturers specializednewcomers to the market, offer terminals of their brand (Wallbox, EVBox, e-totem, Enel X, etc.).

2 – What budget for the installation of a wallbox?

Once you have purchased your charging station, you still need to have it installed at your home. It is possible that your electrical installation is no longer up to standard, or that work is necessary to prepare the installation of the charging station… These are all costs that can be added to the cost of the installation.

Call an IRVE electrician

The installation of a charging station must be done by a certified professional IRVE (Charging infrastructure for electric vehicles). With specialized electricians, the installation prices for a charging station are free (no fixed price). Depending on the complexity of the work, they are generally between 300 and 600 €.

Have the charging station connected to your electrical installation

Here again, the cost of the connection may vary according to certain parameters:

  • The distance between the electrical panel and the charging station. The higher it is, the longer the connection cable (and the more expensive it is). Without counting the possible works of installation.
  • The Powerful of the terminal. The higher it is, the more the connection cable will cost you.

Is development work necessary?

It depends on the configuration of your home. Is the terminal planned outdoors, indoors, in an alley, in a garage, etc.? In some cases, it is necessary to dig a trench, break and redo a floor covering, etc. To limit costs, the ideal is to place the terminal as close as possible to the electrical panel.

Also note that a wallbox fixed to the wall represents a lower cost than a terminal placed on the ground on a pedestal (count several hundred euros more).

Should the installation be brought up to standard?

The installation of a bollard assumes an electrical installation that is fully compliant with standards. When we know that in France 7 million installations are outdated, yours may need to be brought into compliance. Be that as it may, an IRVE electrician always begins by assessing the state of the electrical installation before laying a terminal. You will quickly know if an additional cost is to be expected on this side…

Buy a Type 2 charging cable

The price of this essential accessory is to be added to the total cost of the installation. It is sometimes provided by the dealer or the. Manufacturer at the time of purchase of an electric vehicle. If not, you will have to buy one. The cost of a cable depends mainly on its length and its power (and also on its brand). Count around 300 euros for a 7.4 kW single-phase cable, for example. If it is very long and powerful, the price can go up to 500 euros.

Increase your electric power

Yes, your electricity supply subscription probably needs to be reviewed… To be able to charge your electric vehicle at home, assess your needs with your vendor of energy. Each additional power step will cost you around €25 per year more.

You can also use energy management to optimize your electricity consumption without increasing the power of your installation…

3 – Lighten your bill thanks to state aid!

With your electric vehicle, you contribute to the energy transition. As such, the State has provided aid from which you can also benefit for the installation of a charging station.

  • The tax credit : owner, tenant or occupant free of charge of your main residence, your tax credit represents 75% of the expenses related to the installation (within the limit of €300 per terminal).
  • VAT at 5.5% : this is the rate applied to the purchase of a wallbox, instead of the usual 20%.
  • Other aids : inquire locally, some regions, departments or cities add aid to support the transition to electric mobility.

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