Fleet take-home charging: Irvine, CA
Short answer: A driver's home Level 2 install costs $749–$2,500 (Qmerit, national, not city-specific), and CA residential power averages 29.75¢/kWh (EIA, August 2026). Monthly reimbursement = miles × kWh/mile × $0.2975.
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What does the home charger install cost?
| Installed range (national) | $749–$2,500 |
|---|---|
| Irvine permit | Permit issuance, residential (other than new construction): $31.88. EV charger work is billed as miscellaneous hourly work: plan check $207.56/hr and inspection $199.19/hr (minimum ½ hour $103.78), plus a 10% automation fee. No flat EV line. Schedule II effective Aug 15, 2026 (CC Res 24-41). |
Sources: Qmerit – How much does Level 2 EV charger installation cost? (national, accessed 2026-10-25); City of Irvine Schedule II – Building & Safety and Grading Fees, eff. Aug 15, 2026 (official PDF); City of Irvine – Adding an EV charging station, single family (official) (accessed 2026-10-25).
How much should we reimburse each month?
Enter miles and the vehicle's kWh per mile (from its window sticker or fleet data).
| CA residential rate | 29.75¢/kWh |
|---|---|
| Formula | miles × kWh/mile × 29.75 ÷ 100 |
Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (residential, August 2026, preliminary; released Oct 23, 2026) (accessed 2026-10-25). This is a state average. A driver's actual utility tariff may differ.
Is the install cost specific to Irvine?
No. It is Qmerit's national range. The permit line is city-specific where sourced.
Why use the state average rate?
It is the most local residential rate we can source for every city (EIA Table 5.6.A). For exact figures, use the driver's own utility bill.