Summary:

• Ford’s Power Promise and other exciting rebates are giving Californians more reasons than ever to switch to EV. Cars like Tesla’s Model Y, the Chevrolet Bolt EV, and the Ford Mustang-E lead the pack, but there are other great options out there.
• Over 30% of America’s EV sales now happen here in California. The growing network of 150,000 public and shared private chargers makes it easier than ever to charge your vehicle, but it’s still best to have a charger installed at home.
• Home EV chargers come in a few different options: Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast. Options from ChargePoint, Emporia, Grizzl-E, EVIQO, Autel, and Lectron stand at the front of the pack.
• There’s never been a better time to have a charger installed in your home than right now. To maximize your savings, work with a qualified electrician.

Thinking about buying a new Electric Vehicle (EV) or installing your own EV charger at home? Ford is offering to help you get in the driver’s seat by making it easier for you to upgrade and save money on a home charger at the same time.

Under the company’s “Power Promise” program, any customer who buys or leases a new EV between now and March 31, 2025 can receive a complimentary Level 2 Charge Station Pro with home installation. This is over and above existing rebates at the state and federal levels.

Learn everything you need to know about putting one of these devices in your home—then give us a call at Caccia Plumbing so we can help you with a safe, cost-effective installation.

Related: Thorough Electrical Safety Inspections: Prevent Issues Before They Start

Top Electric Vehicles in California: Sales & Charging Capabilities

California is at the forefront of electric vehicle (EV) adoption—so much so that sales here in our state now make up over 30% of the market nationwide. Thanks to the rapid rollout of over 150,000 public and shared private chargers across the state, it’s also easier than ever to charge your vehicle after you buy it!

If you’re considering making the switch yourself, you’re in good company. Sales numbers from Good Car, Bad Car suggest that thousands of Americans have already purchased one of the top 10 best-selling electric vehicles in the last year. Get a peek at them, and their charging capabilities, in the table below.

Tesla’s cars are obviously the most well-known and popular, so it isn’t surprising that they take up the top two spots. Alternatives from companies like Chevrolet and Nissan are quickly catching up, though—and they’re often easier on the pocketbook.

Choosing the Right EV Charger For Your Home

Buying your new EV is just the first step—you need to be able to access a charger close to home to really make the most of it. While public chargers are becoming more common, it’s still wise to install your own charger at home whenever possible.

This is where a lot of shoppers get stuck. Not all EV chargers are created equal, and they aren’t necessarily cross-compatible with every car, either, so let’s break down the basics. 

• Level 1 chargers are the most basic and only need a 120-volt outlet to function. This is the same US-standard size outlet you’ll find in most homes, which can help simplify the process of installing a new charger. Their main drawback is slow charging—as low as 3 to 5 miles per hour, depending on the car.
• Level 2 chargers are the next step up and offer a faster charging experience for compatible cars. They use a 240-volt outlet—that’s the larger-sized outlet typically used for home appliances like washers and dryers. You’ll also need to add a dedicated circuit to your electrical panel, in most cases. We can help with that!
• DC Fast chargers are the cream of the crop. They can restore up to 80% of a vehicle’s battery charge in under 30 minutes, which is ideal if you know you’re going to be running out the charge quite often. The only problem? They’re expensive and require a dedicated high-voltage connection, which is exactly why you’re more likely to find them at public charging hubs instead of in homes.

So, which option is best? It depends on the vehicle you buy, how far and often you drive, and what the electrical setup in your home currently looks like. For example, you may need to upgrade your electrical panel first to safely accommodate an EV charger.

Most people go with a Level 2 charger. It’s the best all-around option and strikes a solid balance between budget and function.

Related: Critical Panel Upgrade Services: Modernize Your Electrical System

Our Top Picks for Home Charging Solutions

If you’re taking advantage of Ford’s Power Promise program before March 31, you’re already eligible to receive a complimentary Ford Charge Station Pro with home installation. It’s a great choice for people who buy or lease the Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, or E-Transit. 

In some cases, it might also be the only option. Ford is in the process of privatizing app access to their vehicles, which means third-party platforms like Emporia’s SmartCar won’t work. 

But what if you’re considering a different EV? The options listed below consistently get glowing reviews from homeowners, so they’re a great place to start.

1. The ChargePoint Home Flex

• Average Cost: $549.00
• Pros: The ChargePoint Home Flex was Car And Driver’s top choice for the best all-around vehicle charger on the market this year—and with good reason. It’s capable of putting out a maximum of 12 kW and is packed with intelligent features like remote monitoring and down-to-the-penny cost tracking. 
• Cons: At an MSRP of around $550, it is one of the pricier options on the market right now. It might not be the right choice if you’re on a budget.

2. Emporia Energy’s EV Chargers

• Average Cost: $399 to $699
• Pros: Emporia’s line of Level 2 EV chargers are a good choice for homeowners on a budget. All 3 options are capable of putting out nearly the same output as the ChargePoint (11.5-kW, to be precise), but features vary slightly between models.
• Cons: People sometimes take issue with the interface. Emporia includes a library of apps that can feel overwhelming to navigate.

3. The Grizzl-E Duo

• Average Cost: $849
• Pros: The main selling point of the Grizzl-E Duo is right in the name—it’s capable of charging two electrical vehicles at once. That’s ideal if you live in a multi-car household (or just happen to have teenagers who always seem to have somewhere to go!). It’s capable of putting out up to 40 amps of power per vehicle.
• Cons: You won’t find any fancy bells or whistles like WiFi or monitoring on this one. It also takes up a relatively large amount of space compared to the other options here.

3. The EVIQO Level 2 EV Charger

• Average Cost: $514
• Pros: The EVIQO Level 2 charger boasts an impressive ability to put out up to 48 amps of power at a time, and that means it will take less time to charge your vehicle to full. It can be plugged into an existing NEMA 14-50 outlet, but it functions much better when hardwired into your home.
• Cons: It’s also very basic, which can be a double-edged sword. If you’re keen on being able to closely track energy costs or schedule charges, this might not be it.

4. Autel’s MaxiCharger Home EV Chargers

• Average Cost: $599
• Pros: Autel’s MaxiChargers are another powerful option with up to 50 amps of output for rapid charging when you’re tight on time. This line also comes with smart features like WiFi and Bluetooth, though, so you aren’t forced to sacrifice features for power. 
• Cons: A slightly higher price point than some of the other options, and there’s no option to plug it into an existing outlet. You’ll need an electrician to hard-wire this one.

5. Lectrons Home Level 2 Chargers (J1772 and NACS Versions)

• Average Cost: $265 to $400
• Pros: Lectron’s Home Level 2 Chargers are available with both J1772 and NACS connectors, so it’s highly versatile and suitable for a wide range of EVs—including Teslas. They can be connected to a NEMA 14-50 outlet or hardwired.
• Cons: The NACS version is really only useful to people with Teslas, so it might not be the best choice for homes with more than one brand.

Having the right EV charger at home makes owning an electric vehicle much more convenient. It’s also a great way to cut back on fuel costs, too.

Local EV Charger Regulations

Most EV charger regulations in San Mateo affect new construction projects rather than existing homes. For example, any new single or multi-family dwellings that share a common parking garage must adhere to the rules listed in the city’s EVSE Permit Review Checklist. 

Typically, the EVSE Permit Review must be filled out and reviewed by the city before it will issue a permit. But for homeowners who want to install an EV charger in an existing dwelling, the process—and guidelines—are much more straightforward.  

• In most cases, one and two-family homes qualify for express permit processing. You still need to apply for a permit through San Mateo County before the work can start, but the level of scrutiny and amount of info needed is much, much lower.
• For Level 2 charger installations, you need the right electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). This includes a dedicated 240-volt circuit and all relevant conduits (wiring). If your home can’t currently support this level of capacity, you may need an upgrade.
• All EV chargers and connections need to be installed by a licensed electrician and must meet National Electrical Code (NEC) safety requirements.

Permits and regulations can be tricky to navigate, but they help protect you from fines and low-quality work. Our licensed electricians handle this for you so you can be sure that your new EV charger meets or exceeds local and national requirements.

Step-By-Step Guide to Installing an EV Charger

Rebates are making it easier for homeowners in San Mateo to get EV ready. If you’re ready to move forward with a new EV charger installation, we want to help! Here’s what you can expect when you hire Caccia Plumbing to handle the job.

Step 1: Assessing Your Current Setup

We’ll inspect your home’s electrical panel, wiring, and conduits to determine your current capacity—and identify any areas that might need upgrades. If you have any questions or specific concerns, feel free to ask while we’re there!

Step 2: Estimating Your Amperage and Capacity Needs

We’ll calculate how much power your new EV charger will need, based on the make and model of your vehicle and your daily charging habits. 

Step 3: Load and Capacity Testing

We’ll perform a load test to see if your electrical panel and system can handle the additional demand from an EV charger. If it can’t, don’t worry—we can help you upgrade! 

Step 4: Choosing the Right EV Charger

Already have a product in mind! Great—just let us know. Otherwise, we’ll walk you through your options and help you compare to find the perfect fit.

Step 5: Applying for Permits

We’ll simplify the permitting and approval process by handling the paperwork for you. You can sit back and relax knowing any work will be up to code and handled with care.

Step 6: Handling Upgrades and Prerequisites

If you need upgrades, like a higher amperage panel or a dedicated 240-volt circuit, we’ll take care of those tasks next. Then, we’ll test your system again before moving forward.

Step 7: Mapping Out Your Installation

We’ll work with you to choose the best location for your new EV charger. Then, we’ll carefully map out all the wiring, conduits, and connections before we install it.

Step 8: Installing Your New EV Charger

One of our licensed electricians will install your new EV charger. This part of the job is typically finished in just a few short hours. You’ll be back online in no time!

Step 9: Test and Go!

We’ll test your new EV charger to make sure it’s working—and give you a walkthrough of its features and best practices for charging, if desired.

With #CacciaPlumbing by your side, getting your home #EVReady is as easy as picking up the phone! Call us at (650) 442-1470 to learn how we can help you streamline the process.

Related: Convenient Car Charger Solutions: Power Up at Home

Ready to Power Up? Contact Caccia Today

In addition to providing top-notch plumbing services, Caccia Plumbing can also help you with your household electrical needs—including EV charger installation! Our qualified electricians have years of experience handling work like this safely and efficiently, and have already installed thousands of chargers for people in San Mateo and surrounding communities.

Don’t sacrifice convenience or risk having to wait for a public device. Speed into the future with Caccia Plumbing and schedule your EV charger installation today!

Frequently Asked Questions About Home EV Chargers

Can you get rebates for HEC in California?

Yes! California residents—including people in San Mateo—have the option to take advantage of several rebates for home electrification and charging upgrades. These programs will sometimes cover part or all of the cost associated with installing a new EV charger.

Here are two main examples:

• Get up to $700 on PG&E-approved charging equipment (depending on income).
• Get up to $2,000 in additional funding for a level 2 home charger.

San Mateo residents may also be eligible for a rebate of between $700 and $4000 to cover the cost of a used plug-in hybrid or fully electric EV. For information about other rebates and opportunities to save, send us a message!

How much does installing an EV charger at home cost?

It depends on your situation. In general, most homeowners can expect to pay somewhere between $400 to $800 for a Level 2 charger and up to $2000 for installation. Factors like your current electrical system, your location, and local permitting fees can vary widely, so we strongly recommend working with one of our professionals if you want a more precise estimate. We always provide an upfront estimate of costs!

Can you DIY an EV charger installation?

No! Please don’t try to DIY this task on your own. Installing an EV charger might seem like a straightforward project for homeowners with the right skill set, but Level 2 chargers run on high-voltage systems that can be tricky—and very dangerous—to work on.

Trying to install your new charger yourself could lead to fires or damage to your writing and electrical panel. More importantly, you could also get hurt—and that’s the last thing we want to happen. Leave the job to us so we can keep you safe and ensure the work is up to code.

Can HEV Chargers be upgraded in the future?

Generally speaking, yes. There’s no reason you can’t upgrade your HEV charger in the future if you want access to new features, like super fast charging or multiple outlets.

Keep in mind that upgrades might require additional electrical work, and it’s only legal to start work after securing a permit. It’s best to consult with one of our licensed electricians before you start mapping out any future jobs.

How long does it take to install an EV charger?

Most installations are finished within around two to four hours if you don’t need any upgrades. If we need to adjust your electrical panel or wiring first, we’ll let you know in advance so you can plan for it. Call us at (650) 442-1470 if you want a more accurate estimate that’s specific to your home.

How do I know if my home can have an EV charger installed?

Nearly all homes in California have the capacity to support an EV charger. However, there are a few rare edge cases where a home or building may be unable to support one.

• Very old homes with older 100-amp panels.
• Homes that lack an existing 240-volt circuit.
• Off-grid homes that rely solely on solar power.
• Tiny homes that lack the space for a charger.
• Properties with limited access to electrical service.

In most cases, there are still ways to work around these limitations—it just takes a little bit more work. As long as your home has access to a standard wall outlet, you should be able to support a Level 1 charger either way. Let us know your situation and we’ll help you find a fix!