Sacramento is the California state capital and home to one of the most EV-friendly utilities in the country. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is a not-for-profit community-owned electric service with over 75 years of history serving Sacramento County. SMUD's Charge@Home program offers up to $900 in rebates toward Level 2 EV charger installation including up to $250 for the charger purchase, $200 for a circuit sharing device, and $500 for installation of a dedicated electric circuit. SMUD also offers a 1.5 cent per kWh discount on all electricity used between midnight and 6 AM for registered EV owners.
Sacramento electricity rate
~$0.24/kWh (SMUD)
Avg install cost
$900 to $1,900
Permit required
Yes, we handle it
SMUD Charge@Home
Up to $900 in rebates
SMUD serves Sacramento County with electricity rates that are moderate for California at approximately $0.24 per kWh as of 2026. SMUD's overnight EV rate discount of 1.5 cents per kWh between midnight and 6 AM applies to all household electricity for registered EV owners, making overnight charging even more affordable. SMUD has partnered with Qmerit and Uplight to offer bundled EV charger installations and help Sacramento customers maximize available rebates and savings. Sacramento also benefits from California statewide EV programs including the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project.
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What to Know in Sacramento
EV Charger Installation in Sacramento, California
Sacramento has specific permits, utility programs, and local market conditions that affect your installation. Here is everything you need to know.
Sacramento Permit Requirements
The City of Sacramento requires an electrical permit for Level 2 EV charger installations through the Community Development Department. Sacramento County processes permits for unincorporated areas separately. Most Sacramento residential permits are approved within 3 to 5 business days through the online portal. Our Sacramento installers handle all city and county permits as well as SMUD program enrollment automatically on every job.
Sacramento Electricity and Utility
SMUD is the sixth largest community-owned electric utility in the United States serving over 1.5 million customers across a 900 square mile service area in Sacramento County. SMUD's Charge@Home program offers up to $900 in bundled rebates for Level 2 EV charger installation. SMUD also rewards drivers for charging during low-demand periods through the Managed EV Charging program which offers quarterly reward payments on top of the one-time enrollment incentive. The federal 30 percent tax credit covers an additional $1,000 of installation costs through June 30, 2026. See our cost guide for more details.
Sacramento Neighborhoods We Serve
Our Sacramento installer network covers Sacramento County and surrounding areas including Elk Grove, Roseville, Folsom, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, West Sacramento, Davis, Woodland, Rocklin, Lincoln, Auburn, Natomas, Midtown, East Sacramento, Land Park, Curtis Park, and all communities throughout the greater Sacramento metro region.
Sacramento Pricing
How Much Does EV Charger Installation Cost in Sacramento?
Here is what Sacramento homeowners typically pay for a complete Level 2 EV charger installation in 2026.
Installation Type
What is Included
Typical Cost in Sacramento
Basic Level 2 Install
Panel close to garage, no upgrades needed
$850 to $1,200
Standard Level 2 Install
New circuit, conduit run, permit included
$1,200 to $1,900
Panel Upgrade Required
Panel at capacity, upgrade needed first
$2,200 to $4,500
Commercial Multi-Unit
Multiple chargers, load management system
$5,000 to $30,000
Related Resources
More EV Charging Information
Everything you need to know about EV charger installation, costs, and repair.
The questions we hear most from Sacramento homeowners every week.
SMUD's Charge@Home program offers Sacramento customers up to $900 in total rebates for Level 2 EV charger installation. The program provides up to $250 toward the purchase of a qualifying Level 2 charger, up to $200 for a circuit sharing or energy management device, and up to $500 for installation of a dedicated electric circuit. Rebates are paid after installation with receipts and documentation. The federal 30 percent tax credit of up to $1,000 can be stacked on top of the SMUD rebate for maximum total savings of up to $1,900 on a qualifying installation.
Most home Level 2 EV charger installations in Sacramento run between $900 and $1,900 before incentives. Sacramento has more moderate labor rates than San Francisco and Los Angeles, making it one of the more affordable California cities for EV charger installation. After the SMUD Charge@Home rebate of up to $900 and the federal 30 percent tax credit of up to $1,000, many Sacramento homeowners net very little out of pocket for a standard installation.
SMUD is a not-for-profit community-owned utility which means its mission is to serve Sacramento customers rather than generate profit for shareholders. This results in more competitive rates than investor-owned utilities like PG&E, SDG&E, and SCE. SMUD has been recognized as a national leader in clean energy and community programs. For EV owners specifically, SMUD offers the Charge@Home rebate program, the overnight rate discount, the Managed EV Charging rewards program, and partnerships with installers and charger manufacturers to make home charging as accessible as possible.
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