San Francisco and the Bay Area lead the nation in EV adoption. California has over 18,900 public charging stations statewide and San Francisco is home to one of the densest concentrations of electric vehicles in America. PG&E offers some of the most generous EV charger incentive programs in the country, including the Empower EV program which provides a free Level 2 charger and up to $2,000 toward panel upgrades for eligible customers. Our certified Bay Area installers know every available program and maximize your savings on every job.
PG&E EV2-A off-peak rate
$0.31/kWh
Avg install cost SF
$1,100 to $2,500
PG&E charger rebate
50 to 100% of equipment
Federal tax credit
30% up to $1,000
PG&E Empower EV
Free charger + $2,000
Free Level 2 charger plus up to $2,000 toward panel upgrades for eligible customers
PG&E Residential Charging
50 to 100% off
Rebate covers 50% of charger equipment cost, 100% for income-qualified customers
San Francisco is served by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) for electricity. PG&E offers a time-of-use EV rate called EV2-A which charges off-peak rates of $0.31 per kWh for all household electricity between midnight and 3 PM. For dedicated EV metering, the EV-B rate provides separate metering for your car charger. Our installers can advise which rate plan makes the most sense for your specific usage pattern and help you apply for all available PG&E rebate programs.
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PG&E Programs and Local Requirements
EV Charger Installation in San Francisco
San Francisco has more available incentive programs than almost any other US city. Here is everything you need to know about PG&E programs, local permits, and Bay Area installation specifics.
San Francisco Permits
The City and County of San Francisco requires an electrical permit from the Department of Building Inspection for all Level 2 EV charger installations. San Francisco also requires PG&E notification for every new residential charger installation. SF permits typically take 5 to 7 business days. Our SF installers handle both the DBI permit and PG&E coordination automatically. For condo and TIC installations, HOA or building management approval may also be required. California law gives condo residents the right to request charger installation in their dedicated parking spaces. Learn more about home EV charger installation requirements nationwide.
PG&E Rates and Programs for SF EV Owners
PG&E serves San Francisco with several EV-specific programs. The EV2-A time-of-use rate charges $0.31 per kWh off-peak from midnight to 3 PM for all household electricity. The Residential Charging Solutions rebate covers 50 percent of approved charger equipment cost for standard customers and 100 percent for income-qualified customers. The Empower EV program provides a free Level 2 charger valued at $500 plus up to $2,000 toward panel upgrades for eligible customers. The PG&E EV-B rate adds a separate meter for dedicated EV metering. Our installers know which programs you qualify for and will apply for rebates on your behalf. Compare EV charger costs across different states.
SF Bay Area Neighborhoods We Serve
Our SF Bay Area installer network covers the full nine-county Bay Area including San Francisco proper, Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, Marin County, San Mateo County, Santa Cruz, Napa, and all surrounding communities. Within San Francisco we serve the Mission, Castro, Noe Valley, Pacific Heights, Richmond, Sunset, Potrero Hill, Dogpatch, SoMa, and all other neighborhoods. Victorian homes and older SF housing stock may require panel assessments before installation. Our installers are experienced with the specific challenges of older Bay Area homes.
SF Pricing and Incentives
EV Charger Installation Cost in San Francisco
Bay Area labor rates are among the highest in the country, but PG&E programs and federal credits significantly reduce net out-of-pocket costs for SF homeowners in 2026.
Available Incentives Can Dramatically Reduce Your Cost
PG&E Residential Charging Solutions rebate covers 50 to 100 percent of charger equipment cost. PG&E Empower EV provides a free charger and up to $2,000 for panel upgrades for eligible customers. The federal 30 percent tax credit covers up to $1,000 of installation cost through June 30, 2026. Silicon Valley Clean Energy offers a $250 smart charger rebate in eligible service areas. Our installers identify every incentive available at your specific address before starting work.
Related Resources
More EV Charging Information
Everything you need to know about EV charger installation, repair, and costs across the US.
The questions we hear most from SF Bay Area homeowners every week.
PG&E Empower EV provides eligible residential customers with a free Level 2 charger valued at $500 and up to $2,000 toward electrical panel upgrades if your panel cannot handle EV charging. The program targets income-qualified customers and households in disadvantaged communities. Panel upgrades through this program must be completed by Synergy Companies, PG&E's licensed program electrician. Availability is limited and distributed on a first-come first-served basis. Ask your installer whether you qualify when requesting your free quote through GetEVService.
Before incentives, most SF installations cost $1,100 to $2,500. After applying the PG&E Residential Charging Solutions rebate covering 50 percent of equipment cost, plus the federal 30 percent tax credit of up to $1,000, many SF homeowners net $400 to $900 out of pocket for a standard installation. Income-qualified customers who stack the PG&E Empower EV program with the federal credit can potentially get a free or near-free installation. See our full cost guide for detailed breakdowns.
For most SF homeowners, the PG&E EV2-A time-of-use rate is the best option. It charges $0.31 per kWh off-peak from midnight to 3 PM for all household electricity, which reduces your overall electricity bill by shifting usage to cheaper hours. The EV-B rate installs a separate meter specifically for your car charger and provides dedicated time-of-use pricing for just the EV, but adds $2,000 or more in upfront installation cost for the second meter. Our installers help you evaluate both options for your specific situation.
California law gives condo, TIC, and apartment residents the right to install EV charging equipment in their dedicated parking spaces. Building associations generally cannot deny a reasonable request. Victorian homes and older SF flats with 60A or 100A panels may need a panel assessment before installation. A professional load calculation takes about 30 minutes and determines whether you can install a charger without a panel upgrade. Our SF installers perform this assessment as part of every site visit.
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