Installing an electric vehicle charging station

21 October 2021

Having a charging station at home for electric or hybrid vehicles is a great idea. You’ll avoid having to charge your vehicle at public charging stations. But how do you go about getting a charging station installed? How much does it cost? How can you find a master electrician? Here are our tips.

Which charging station to install

You don’t have to have a charging station. You can easily charge your vehicle using the charger that comes with it. This 120-volt charger will charge your vehicle in 6 to 8 hours for a plug-in hybrid and 11 to 16 hours for a 100% electric vehicle. By having a 240-volt charger installed, you’ve just cut your charging time in half. There are also charging stations with more than 400 volts, but their use is limited, particularly because of the high cost of acquisition. So what you choose will depend on how much charging time you want.

Different brands of charging stations available in Quebec

There are a number of charging station brands. It’s important to choose one that’s suited to your requirement and has been approved by the authorities. These are the brands available in Quebec:

  • Bosch
  • EVduty
  • ChargePoint Home
  • EVoCharge
  • Flo
  • JuiceBox
  • Sun Country Highway

How much it costs to have an electrician install a charging station

Prices vary depending on make and model. For a 240-volt charging station, you should expect to pay between $550 and $1,400, plus the cost of materials and installation by a master electrician. A standard installation costs between $500 and $1,200. If the master electrician has to change the electrical panel or dig into the ground to run the wires, the installation price will be higher. Installing a charging station in a garage is generally less expensive than having it installed outside. Keep in mind that the Quebec government offers some rebates for the purchase and installation of an electric vehicle charging station: https://vehiculeselectriques.gouv.qc.ca/english/rabais/domicile/programme-remboursement-borne-recharge-domicile.asp