Installing a home EV charging station means you start every day with a full charge — no detours to public chargers, no waiting in line, and no paying public charging rates that often exceed what you’d spend charging at home overnight. For most EV owners, home charging covers 80–90% of their total charging needs, and the convenience alone makes the installation worthwhile. Add the long-term fuel cost savings and Colorado’s available EV incentives, and a home charger typically pays for itself faster than most homeowners expect.

The Convenience Factor

Public fast chargers are useful on road trips and in emergencies, but they’re not designed for daily use. Level 3 DC fast chargers degrade battery health over time with frequent use; they’re expensive per kilowatt-hour; and in a growing metro like Denver, they’re increasingly busy during peak hours. A Level 2 home charger charges at a gentler rate that’s actually better for long-term battery health, and it does so while you sleep. You unplug in the morning the same way you unplug a phone — with a full “tank” you didn’t have to think about.

Cost Savings Over Time

The per-mile cost of driving on electricity is significantly lower than gasoline at any price point the Denver market has seen in recent years. Charging overnight during Xcel Energy’s off-peak hours can reduce that cost further — some EV owners with time-of-use rate plans pay substantially less per mile by scheduling charging to run between midnight and 6 a.m. A smart Level 2 charger with scheduling capability makes this automatic.

The installation cost of a dedicated 240-volt circuit and charger varies based on panel capacity, distance from panel to garage, and charger selection. Rather than quote a specific figure, Done provides a free assessment that gives you an accurate number for your specific home. If a panel upgrade is also needed, we’ll let you know up front.

Colorado and Federal Incentives

  • Federal tax credit: The Inflation Reduction Act extended and expanded the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit (Section 30C) for home EV equipment. A tax professional can advise on your eligibility and the current credit amount.
  • Xcel Energy rebates: Xcel has offered rebates for qualifying Level 2 charger installations. Check the current program through Xcel’s website, as rebate amounts and availability change.
  • Colorado EV tax credits: Colorado has offered state-level EV purchase credits that may interact with your total cost of EV ownership calculation.

Home Value and Future-Proofing

EV adoption in Colorado is growing steadily, and a home with a dedicated Level 2 charger already installed is increasingly attractive to buyers. As more households acquire EVs — and as multi-EV households become more common — homes without charging infrastructure will become comparatively less desirable. Installing now also means you won’t be scrambling to add a charger when a second EV joins the household, or when a family member with an EV visits for the holidays.

What the Installation Involves

Done’s electricians assess your panel capacity, determine the optimal circuit size for your EV and driving patterns, run the dedicated circuit to your garage or parking area, install a weatherproof outlet or hardwired charger, and pull the necessary permits. The job typically takes one day. If your panel needs upgrading first — common in older Denver homes with 100-amp service — we coordinate both steps in one project.

Ready to stop making trips to public chargers? Learn more about Done’s EV charging installation services. If your panel capacity is a question mark, our panel and wiring team can assess it before you commit to the project. For financing options, visit Done’s financing page.