What is the cost of installing DC fast charger? The main factor influencing the cost is the purpose of the DC fast charger. Will it be a public or private (home use) DC fast charger? The DC fast charger is the leader of the EV charging world. It uses direct current electricity to recharge an EV battery within minutes.
These chargers are generally suitable for public charging, but people have begun to install them in their homes. If you have the same plan, you should know how much you will spend to install a DC fast charger at home or in your parking lot. This article explains the factors to consider and lists the costs you might incur.
Cost of Installing DC Fast Charger – What Factors May Influence It
The cost of installing DC fast charger depends on several factors, including:
1. Charger Power Output
A DC fast charger boasts a higher power output in kilowatts. Its power range is 50 to 350 kilowatts. The more powerful the charging unit is, the higher its price gets. The elevated price will directly increase the overall cost of installing DC fast charger in a residential or commercial setting.
These chargers run more power than the standard Level 1 and 2 options, and use more advanced and expensive equipment to control it.
2. Site Preparation
The cost of installing DC fast charger can decrease or increase depending on the necessary site preparation work. When selecting an installation site, focus on the number and types of charging units you will use now and later.
After that, check the site’s proximity to the local electricity grid and wireless internet connection. Find out if the utility companies in the area can enhance your site preparation work with incentives and rebates. Another point to reflect on when preparing a DC charger installation site is the impact of the weather.
Will you require weatherproof charging units? Lastly, focus on how easily you can scale the site operations in the future. If you consider all these issues together, you will see to what degree site preparation can influence the overall cost of installing DC fast charger.
3. Local Permits and Inspections
Before you mount a DC fast charger at your residence or commercial place, you should abide by some local building codes and regulations. You must pay for the given permits to start the installation work. Additionally, you should determine various inspection requirements and check how these might impact your project timeline. Inspections and permits will take your time and money.
4. Labor Cost
Chances are that you are not an electrician or an EV charging contractor. In that case, the cost of installing DC fast charger will be unavoidable. You will require a charging infrastructure manufacturer to assist you at a fee.
If you plan to link your charging unit with a Wi-Fi connection, you will hire a network provider to help you. Any contractor doing project logistics, equipment delivery, installations, and upgrading work will ask for payment. Thus, labor can directly influence the overall cost of installing DC fast chargers.
5. Will You Install a Public or a Private DC fast Charger?
The cost of installing DC fast charger can vary according to its sole purpose. For instance, you will likely use more resources to install a public charging station for business use. Note that your public DC fast charger will service several motorists, allowing you to spread the installation and maintenance costs among them.
Furthermore, you may invest intensely in a powerful public DC charger with several charging ports to increase your clientele base. Your aim here is to use these customers to recover your hefty installation and equipment costs. Additionally, you may opt for superfast public chargers to make good use of the installation site and serve your customers better.
Again, you may opt for higher power output DC fast chargers with fewer charging ports to recharge vehicles within minutes. This would allow you to collect fees from as many motorists as possible and recover your initial costs. Above all, you can lower the infrastructural costs by partnering with other enterprises. It can decrease the cost of installing and running each DC fast charger unit.
On the other hand, you can deliberately lower the cost of installing a DC fast charger for home use. It would seem impractical to install the 350kW charger to recharge only one or two EVs, as it would take ages to recover the upfront fees.
A charging model with a lower power output and a single charging port can be a more appropriate choice for a homeowner like you. When estimating the cost of installing DC fast charger for home use, you will probably prioritize shorter charging times. This charging unit must charge your EV faster than any Level 2 AC charger can.
It should give you more convenient charging times. If you opt to do a home DC fast charger installation project, the cost will increase because of possible upgrades. If your electrical capacity is adequate, you might have to add a new service line or transformer before installing a DC fast charger.
These cost values can make your project more expensive and complex. Overall, the cost of installing DC fast charger at home or a public place may go up or down depending on your goals and expectations.
A Price Breakdown of a DC Fast Charger Installation
Once you understand the above factors, you can estimate the total installation cost of your DC fast-charging unit. Here is the cost of installing DC fast charger:
Equipment Cost
How much does a DC fast charger cost? DC fast chargers do not come equal. They have varying power outputs and charging ports. Thus, the equipment with the most advanced power output features and many charging ports will cost more. For instance, a fully networked 150kW commercial model might cost around $75,000. A smaller one of 50kW can cost around $28,000 in full. The most expensive networked DC fast charger is the 350kW option, which might cost a whopping $140,000.
Preparing the Installation Site
The installation site will require maximum labor support from hired contractors. You will pay them to dig your cable trenches, pave your ground, and upgrade your electrical wiring. Depending on the charger type you want to install, and the amount of work needed at the installation site, you might pay between $5000 and $20,000. Try to get a quote from the most reputable and affordable local contractors.
Cost of Upgrading Electricity
Many commercial and residential buildings were not built to support EV charging installations. If your property cannot handle this high-power demanding equipment now, you will have no choice but to upgrade the electrical infrastructure. Depending on your site’s electrical capacity, you might have to install a new transformer, replace your electrical panel, or get a new service line to supply your residence or premises. The overall cost of installing DC fast charger can increase this hefty upgrade, ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. To estimate this cost properly, contact a local electrical service provider to give you a quote.
Local Permits and Inspections
The local authorities will not let you install any DC fast charger without passing various inspections. For every inspection you fail, you will have to make changes that will cost money. Moreover, you will pay for licensing to ensure you can use your DC fast charger without interruptions. The estimated permit and inspection cost is around $5,000. However, you might pay more or less depending on your geographical location. Start by visiting your local government offices for an update on these fees.
Installation Work
The price of preparing the installation site differs from the cost of installing DC fast charger. You will require a more skilled professional to do the task safely and perfectly. Generally, you require about $10,000 for installation labor. The DC fast charger provider and installer can give you a quote that will match your unique project requirements.
So, what is the cost of installing DC fast charger? The overall figure can reach $140,000. If you work closely with professionals, they will provide a more sensible quote based on actual circumstances.
For now, expect to meet a lower or higher DCFC charger cost, depending on your specific circumstances. Once you use the equipment to charge EVs, its value will depreciate. Thus, you must repair the machine when necessary and take important maintenance actions.
Maintenance and repair is an expense you cannot ignore when estimating the cost of installing DC fast charger. One reason is that a DC fast charger can overcharge because it works quickly. Thus, you must account for the cooling costs as they will contribute to the overall cost of running a high-power output DC fast charger. Adding a dedicated cooling unit is relatively expensive and a safety requirement in most locations.
Final Word
The cost of installing DC fast charger depends on different factors. From site preparation to installation labor to local permits and inspections, you must compute your overall installation cost based on everything that matters. DC fast chargers for public or private use can cost more or less.
For instance, a public DC fast charger can cost more upfront but recover every coin in the long run via customer fees. On the other hand, a private-based DC fast charger can cost more to install if your home does not have adequate electrical capacity. However, you can lower the cost by choosing a lower power output option that consumes less electricity and charges faster than a Level 2 charger.