Choosing the Perfect Location for Your Home EV Charging Station: A Complete Guide to Garage vs Driveway Installation
As electric vehicle adoption continues to surge, homeowners face a crucial decision when installing their first home charging station: should they mount it in the garage or install it in the driveway? This choice significantly impacts convenience, cost, safety, and long-term functionality. Understanding the key factors will help you make the best decision for your specific situation and ensure years of reliable EV charging.
Garage Installation: The Protected Choice
Not being exposed to rain, snow, sun, or ice lessens the chance of corrosion or water ingress and freeze damage. Usually, the temperature remains relatively stable, prolonging the lifetime of components. Installing your EV charger inside the garage offers several compelling advantages that make it the preferred choice for many homeowners.
Less risk of vandalism or malicious acts. Controlled conditions; easier to keep dry, clean. Beyond weather protection, garage installations provide enhanced security for your investment. Wiring routes easily. Generally, the electrical panel is already inside or near the garage, the wiring is shorter, and, hence, the cost is lower.
When planning your garage installation, an EV charger installed in the garage should be as easy to access as possible. The location of the charging port on the vehicle will be a big factor in where the wall-mounted charger is installed. Consider that different EVs have different placement for the charging port, some are in the rear others are in the front some on the side of the car.
If you have two or three EVs parked in the garage, that’s another major factor that will dictate the charger’s location. For this type of setup, a centralized location (like on a wall between the garage doors) is the most practical, whether you’re using a single charger, two separate chargers, or a dual charger.
Driveway Installation: Flexibility and Accessibility
Installing your EV charger outside gives you more flexibility in where and how you park. You can mount the charger on the side of your house, on a post, or near your carport—essentially wherever it’s most convenient for your parking situation. For those who prefer the ease of driveway parking or lack a garage entirely, an outdoor EV charging station can be a game-changer.
Modern outdoor chargers are designed to withstand harsh conditions. FLO Home chargers are built to perform in temperatures as low as -40°F and as high as 122°F (-40°C to 50°C), so whether you’re charging in a frigid winter or a sweltering summer, you can rest assured that your outdoor EV charging station will get the job done. High-quality outdoor chargers are designed to be robustly weatherproof. Charging in wet conditions is safe, and the charger itself will continue to perform as expected, even in sleet or heavy downpours.
Put the charger close to the garage wall but outdoors (wall or pedestal), so that the car gets charged whether it is outside or pulled into the garage. This mixed approach offers maximum flexibility for households with varying parking needs.
Key Installation Considerations
Another important aspect is the distance from the panel, as longer runs mean thicker gauge wire, more conduit, etc. Outdoor runs generally call for even more protection. Countless factors determine the exact price, including labor costs in your area, the charger’s power requirements, the condition of your electrical panel, the distance between the charging station and the panel, any drilling or required trenching, local permits needed, and other complexities based on the installation site.
Start with the location of your electrical panel or the nearest 240V outlet. Copper wire is costly so keep your run short to save money. This cost consideration often favors garage installations, where electrical panels are typically located.
Professional Installation: Why It Matters
Installing an EV charger requires professional expertise. Always hire a licensed electrician to handle the installation, especially outdoors to ensure the installation meets the highest safety standards. A qualified electrician experienced with EV installation can evaluate your load capacity, advise you on your choice of location, and ensure that your charging station is installed safely.
For Long Island residents seeking professional ev installation near me, Marra Electric brings over 15 years of experience to every project. Our team can install electric car chargers in homes and businesses to help you charge your electric vehicle quickly and safely. They are quite experienced in installing these Tesla and electric car chargers as they have done many of them in the past.
Cost Expectations and Planning
The average EV charger installation cost is between $800 and $2,500 on average, with a typical cost of $1,700 for a standard installation, but keep in mind that any complexities or additional electrical work such as a panel upgrade and other factors can impact the cost of your EV charger installation project. Installation costs can vary widely based on your specific circumstances. Generally, you can expect these costs to range from $1,000 to $3,000, excluding the price of the home charging station.
Confirm that your new circuit can deliver 50 Amps, or a 40-Amp charging rate, using 80% of the circuit capacity. So even if the first charging station you purchase only has a 24 Amp capacity (as many less-priced ones do), you should still “future-proof” the garage wiring.
Making the Right Choice
Your decision between garage and driveway installation should consider your parking habits, electrical panel location, budget, and long-term plans. Consider where your car will be parked, whether you will have to stretch the cable under doors or over doors, or whether the cords will be exposed to damage. These are issues relating to function and safety.
Whether you choose garage or driveway installation, working with experienced professionals like Marra Electric ensures your charging station will be installed safely, efficiently, and to code. They do everything by the book and to code. The pride Danny has in his work and his attention to detail shows. We always want to offer a fair price and make sure our customers are wowed. That’s why we have an Up Front Pricing policy.
The perfect location for your home EV charging station balances convenience, cost, safety, and future needs. By carefully considering these factors and working with qualified professionals, you’ll enjoy years of reliable, convenient home charging that enhances your electric vehicle ownership experience.
