- Load calculation before you buy
- Dedicated circuit, permit, inspection
- PSEG LI rebate paperwork
Start with the panel, not the charger
A Level 2 charger is a continuous 40–60 amp load, often running for hours overnight. On a 100-amp Long Island house that already has central air or electric heat, that's frequently the straw that trips the main. A licensed electrician should do a load calculation before you buy anything. The answer is one of three: it fits as-is, it fits with a load-management device, or the house needs a service upgrade.
What it costs
| Job | Typical Long Island range | What drives it |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 charger install, panel has capacity | $1,000 – $2,500 | Dedicated 40–60A circuit, short-to-moderate wire run, permit. Most homeowners land around $1,200–$1,800 nationally; Long Island labor runs higher. |
| Long wire run / detached garage | Adds to the base price | Trenching or long runs through finished walls are the biggest variable after the panel. Get it itemized. |
| Load-management device instead of an upgrade | Ask for a price | Lets a charger share capacity on a 100A or 150A service. Often cheaper than a service upgrade. Ask whether it's an option before upgrading. |
| Panel / service upgrade needed first | +$1,000 – $5,000 | If the load calculation shows no room. See the panel upgrade cost guide. |
More detail: EV charger installation cost on Long Island.
Rebates in 2026
- PSEG Long Island Residential Charger Rebate: $100 for a qualified Level 2 charger; up to $400 for customers in Disadvantaged Communities or on the Household Assistance Program.
- Federal 30C credit: ended for chargers placed in service after June 30, 2026.
Everything that's still available: electrical rebates on Long Island in 2026.
Garage, driveway or detached garage?
The shortest run from the panel wins on price. A charger on the garage wall next to a basement panel is the cheap case; a detached garage or the far end of a driveway means trenching or long runs and sometimes a sub-panel. Outdoor units need weather-rated equipment and GFCI protection where required.
Where we cover
EV Charger Installation quotes are available across Nassau and Suffolk. Who licenses the electrician and which inspection agencies are accepted differ by town. Start with yours:
Frequently asked questions
Can I install a Level 2 charger on 100-amp service?
Sometimes. It depends on what else the house runs. A load calculation tells you, and a load-management device can let a charger share capacity instead of forcing a full service upgrade.
Is there a PSEG Long Island rebate?
Yes. PSEG Long Island's Residential Charger Rebate offers $100 for a qualified Level 2 charger, and up to $400 total for customers in Disadvantaged Communities or on the Household Assistance Program. Check the program rules before you buy the charger.
Is the federal EV charger tax credit still available?
No. The federal 30C credit for home chargers ended for equipment placed in service after June 30, 2026.
Plug-in or hardwired?
Both work on a properly sized dedicated circuit. Hardwired units avoid the outlet as a weak point and can charge at higher amperage; plug-in units are easier to swap. Your electrician will size the circuit to the charger.
Related services
- Panel & Service Upgrades: 100A to 200A service upgrades and panel replacements, including the permit, the agency inspection and the PSEG Long Island meter cutover.
- Federal Pacific & Zinsco Panel Replacement: Replacing Federal Pacific Stab-Lok, Zinsco, Challenger, Pushmatic and old fuse boxes, often on a home-sale or insurance-renewal deadline.
- Generator Installation: Whole-house standby generators with automatic transfer switches, or a code-compliant inlet and interlock for a portable generator.
- Electrical Repair & Troubleshooting: Breakers that keep tripping, dead outlets, flickering lights, half the house without power, warm or buzzing devices.
- Urgent & Emergency Electrical: Burning smells, sparking outlets, storm-damaged service masts and power problems that can't wait for next week.
- House Rewiring: Replacing knob-and-tube, cloth-insulated and ungrounded wiring, and remediating 1960s–70s aluminum branch wiring.
- Lighting & Ceiling Fans: Recessed lighting, fixture and fan installs, dimmers, outdoor and landscape lighting.
- Electrical Safety Inspections: A licensed electrician's evaluation for a home purchase or sale, an insurance carrier's request, or peace of mind in an older house.