You picked up an EV — or you're about to — and now the question is how to charge it at home without standing in line at a public charger every week. The good news: a properly installed Level 2 charger turns your garage into the most reliable, cheapest "gas station" you'll ever own. Here's exactly what that install looks like in northern Indiana, what it costs, and what to watch out for.
Level 1 vs Level 2: Why Most People Want Level 2
Every EV ships with a Level 1 cord that plugs into a regular wall outlet. It works, but it's slow — about 3 to 5 miles of range per hour. If you drive 40 miles a day, you'll need 8 to 10 hours of charging to break even. Forget plugging in for a quick errand top-off.
Level 2 changes the math entirely. A 240-volt circuit pushes 25 to 40 miles of range per hour, depending on the charger and your vehicle. A full overnight charge on a Tesla, Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevy Bolt, or any other modern EV happens while you sleep.
Level 1 (Standard Outlet)
- 120 volts, 12-amp draw
- 3 to 5 miles of range per hour
- Fine for plug-in hybrids and very short commutes
- $0 hardware — comes with the car
Level 2 (Installed Charger)
- 240 volts, 30 to 50-amp draw
- 25 to 40 miles of range per hour
- Full overnight charge for any EV
- $800 to $2,200 installed in most homes
The Banner Electric Install Process — Step by Step
Here's exactly what happens when you call us for a Level 2 charger install. No mystery, no surprises.
- Free in-home assessment. We look at your panel, where you want the charger, the run distance, and whether you need a panel upgrade. You get a fixed quote on the spot.
- Permit pulled. Northern Indiana counties require an electrical permit for every EV charger install. We handle this for you — it's part of the price.
- Equipment ordered. If you already have a charger, great. If not, we recommend one that matches your panel, your vehicle, and your budget.
- Install day. Most jobs wrap in 2 to 4 hours. We run a dedicated circuit from your panel, mount the charger, and energize the unit.
- Inspection. County inspector confirms the work meets NEC. We schedule this — you don't have to chase anyone.
- Walkthrough. Before we leave, we show you how to use the app, set charging schedules, and confirm everything is talking to your car.
Why Hiring a Licensed Electrician Matters
EV chargers pull more current than almost anything else in your home. A bad connection, an undersized wire, or a missed permit can cause overheating, code violations, or insurance headaches if something ever goes wrong. We've been wiring homes in Indiana for over 60 years — every install we do is permitted, inspected, and warrantied. That's the responsible way.
What Does It Actually Cost in Indiana?
Every home is different, but here's the honest range we see across northern Indiana:
- $800 – $1,200 — Short run, garage install, panel has capacity, no trenching. Most common.
- $1,200 – $1,800 — Longer run through finished walls, attached garage with a remote panel, or a hardwired install through conduit.
- $1,800 – $2,500+ — Outdoor install, detached garage with a trenched feed, or a panel that needs an upgrade or a load management module.
We give every customer a fixed, written quote before we touch a wire. No "well, it turned out to be more" surprises.
Money-saver: NIPSCO and AEP Indiana Michigan Power both offer EV charger rebates — typically $250 to $500. We help you confirm eligibility during the quote and walk you through the rebate form once the install is done.
Mishawaka, Valparaiso, and the Rest of Our Service Area
We install Level 2 chargers across every town we serve. Two of the towns we hear from most often are Mishawaka and Valparaiso — both have a fast-growing EV community, and both have a mix of newer homes (which install easily) and older homes (where panel space gets tight). Either way, we handle it.
Here's every northern Indiana town where we install EV chargers. Click your town for local pricing and scheduling:
Which Charger Should You Buy?
We get this question every single quote. Honestly — most modern Level 2 chargers do the same job. What matters is matching the unit to your panel, your car, and how much you care about app features. Here's our quick take:
- Tesla Wall Connector — Best if you drive a Tesla. Sleek, reliable, and you can use the same plug for non-Tesla EVs with the J1772 adapter.
- ChargePoint Home Flex — Strong app, flexible amperage (16-50A), works with any EV. Great all-rounder.
- Wallbox Pulsar Plus — Tiny footprint, smart features, good for tight garages.
- Emporia EV Charger — Lowest-cost smart charger we recommend. Good if you have a home Emporia monitoring system.
- Grizzl-E Classic — Built like a tank. No app, but rock-solid and the cheapest reliable option.
If you'd rather we just pick, tell us your car and panel size — we'll recommend one.
Pairing EV Charging With Backup Power
Plenty of our customers ask about charging their EV during outages. A standby generator paired with the right transfer switch can keep your car charging during a storm, and a home battery backup system can do the same silently. If you're already planning a generator install, having us run the EV charger circuit at the same time saves you money on labor.
Common Questions We Hear
Do you offer same-week installs?
Usually yes. Most weeks we can quote within 48 hours and install within 7 to 10 days. Storm seasons and holiday weeks get busier.
What about apartments or condos?
We can install for owner-occupied condos with HOA approval. Renters should talk to the landlord first — we're happy to provide a quote they can review.
What if my panel is full?
We have a few options: an EV-specific load management module (lets you add a charger without a panel upgrade), a subpanel, or a full panel upgrade. We'll walk you through the trade-offs.
Do you warranty the work?
Yes. Workmanship is warrantied for one full year. The charger itself is covered by the manufacturer's warranty (typically 3 years).
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