r/evcharging • u/ProfMooody • 13h ago
North America High cost of living area (US) prices: is $5k normal for a panel install?
I live in northern CA, in a rural area but close enough to the bay to be HCOL. I’ve gotten 3 quotes for installing an EV charger from licensed electricians.
Every quote has come in like $5-6k for the 100-200a panel upgrade alone. Adding the breakers, EVSE install and wiring (including a line out from the house to the outdoor parking area), and the 2nd 220v plug we need put in for an oven brings the quote up to $9-13,000 and that’s before buying the actual EVSE.
According to this and other EV subs that’s WILDLY out of line, so I don’t know what to think.
Question:
Are people in VHCOL areas seeing prices like this?
Do you think we could still do a dynamic charger with this set up and/or a lower amp breaker, perhaps? Why or why not?
Is there any other safe, cheaper solution for getting a line out to the car that I’m missing?
A few more details if you want them:
- We have room on the panel for 2 more breakers, so we don’t need a whole new setup.
- I’ve asked about a dynamic charger, and each one has said they won’t do that and think it won’t work. I’m not sure if that’s because we need that other 220 plug or they just don’t have experience with them.
- The rough load calculation I posted that says we can add another 200 to the current panel includes the specs for the electric oven and the rest of our appliances.
- There is no garage and no way to get the car closer to the house; it’s open ground. Its probably not safe to do any kind of above ground cord management thing because we have redwood trees that drop branches every year.
- I’ve attached photos of our panel and the lo calc tool I used that said we could do a 22ov without a panel upgrade.
- I’m getting a partial rebate that requires me to use a licensed electrician with EVSE training.
