EV charger installation in the Hills
A home charger is a straightforward job — right up until the switchboard can't take it. We'll tell you which of those you're dealing with before quoting.
What actually determines the price
Quotes for EV charger installation vary enormously, and it is almost never the charger that explains the difference. Four things do:
- Distance from the switchboard to the charger. A garage on the other side of the board is an hour. A detached garage 30 metres away needs a proper cable run, and possibly trenching.
- Whether your board has a spare way. A full board means an upgrade first — that's the single biggest swing in any EV quote.
- Single phase or three phase. Three phase allows faster charging, but only if your property has it and your car can use it.
- Whether you need load management. If the supply can't run a charger flat out alongside everything else, a load-managing charger throttles itself instead of tripping the main.
Common situations
Garage is right next to the switchboard
The straightforward case. Short cable run, a dedicated circuit and RCBO at the board, charger mounted and commissioned. Usually a half-day.
Call 0422 253 379The switchboard is already full
Very common in 1970s–80s Hills homes. The board is upgraded first, then the charger circuit added. It's two jobs, and we quote them as two so you can see what you're paying for.
Call 0422 253 379Detached garage or carport away from the house
Needs a correctly sized submain — and on a long run, cable size is driven by voltage drop, not just current. This is where cheap quotes cut corners.
Call 0422 253 379Two EVs, or an EV plus a pool and ducted air
Load management, or a supply upgrade. We work out which is actually needed rather than defaulting to the expensive answer.
Call 0422 253 379EV charger questions
How much does EV charger installation cost?
The charger itself is a known cost; the install is what varies. A short run to a garage beside the switchboard is at the low end. A full board upgrade plus a long submain to a detached garage can be several times that. We look at your board and your garage location and give you a fixed price.
Do I need three phase power for an EV charger?
No. A 7kW single phase charger adds roughly 40km of range per hour, which covers overnight charging for almost everyone. Three phase gets you faster charging, but only matters if you regularly need a big top-up in a short window.
Can my switchboard handle a charger?
That's the first thing we check. It needs a spare way, adequate supply capacity, and RCD protection appropriate to the charger. Plenty of Hills boards fail on the first of those.
Which chargers do you install?
We install major brands and we're happy to fit a unit you've already bought, provided it's compliant and suitable for your supply. If you haven't bought yet, we'll tell you what actually matters for your situation.
Can I just use the plug that came with the car?
A portable charger on a standard powerpoint works, but it's slow and it puts a sustained load on a circuit that probably wasn't designed for hours of it. If you're charging at home regularly, a dedicated circuit is the right answer.
What EV charger installation costs
The charger is a known price. The install is what moves, and cable distance is the single biggest factor.
| The job | Price |
|---|---|
| 7kW single phase, garage beside the switchboardDedicated circuit, RCD protection, charger mounted and commissioned | $900 – $1,500 |
| 7kW single phase, typical installThe median case — a normal cable run through the roof or wall cavity | $1,400 – $2,200 |
| Detached garage or long cable runCable sized for voltage drop, not just current. Roughly $30–$50 per extra metre | add $400 – $1,500 |
| Switchboard upgrade firstNeeded when the board is full or has no RCD protection. Quoted separately so you can see it | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| Three phase 22kW, or two-vehicle load managementOnly worth it if your property has three phase and your car can use it | $2,500 – $5,000+ |
These are indicative market ranges for Sydney in 2026, not a quote. What you pay depends on your switchboard, access and what we find. We confirm a fixed price before starting, and it doesn't move.
What customers say
Jason solved a really complex problem for our house with excellent professionalism and workmanship. Highly recommend, would def work with him again. On time delivery and within budget.
Excellent value and service, including follow-up.
Reliable and quality service.
These are Google reviews for our team at Cync Electrical & Automation — the licensed contractor behind Hills Electrician. 5.0 from 20 reviews. — see the profile
Thinking about a home charger?
Send us a photo of your switchboard and where the car parks. Or call 0422 253 379.
Get a quote