So You Want a Home EV Charger: Here's Exactly What to Do
From panel check to Idaho Power rebate, every step a Boise homeowner needs, in order.
Getting a home EV charger installed in Boise takes about 10 steps, from evaluating your electrical panel to collecting the Idaho Power rebate. Most homeowners get from zero to charging in 2 to 3 weeks. The install is a half-day job. What takes longer is scheduling a good electrician, getting the permit filed, and waiting on the inspection appointment. Here's the full sequence, with specifics on older Boise homes that need panel attention, what Idaho Power requires, and where permit jurisdiction matters in Ada County.
Step 1: Decide Between Level 1 and Level 2
Level 1 uses the cable that came with your car and a standard 120V outlet. It adds 3 to 5 miles of range per hour. If you drive under 25 miles a day and plug in every night, you can get by. Most people find the limits annoying within a few weeks.
Level 2 uses a dedicated 240V circuit and adds 20 to 30 miles per hour. Your car's battery is full by morning regardless of when you arrived home. Get the Level 2. The $300 to $600 install cost is worth it, especially once Idaho Power's TOU rate reduces your overnight charging cost.
Step 2: Check Your Electrical Panel
Find your main panel (garage wall, utility room, basement, or exterior) and look at the main breaker rating. 200A with open slots is almost always fine for adding a 50-amp EV circuit.
100A panels are the catch. Older Boise homes in the North End, the Bench, and some parts of East Boise were built when 100 amps was standard. Those panels are often already loaded, and adding a 50-amp circuit can overload them. Options are a panel upgrade (typically $1,200 to $2,500 in Boise) or a load management device ($200 to $400) that limits the charger's draw when other big appliances run. Newer developments in Meridian, Eagle, Star, and Nampa almost always have 200A panels with room to spare. Your electrician checks this at the quote visit.
Step 3: Choose Your Charger
Four questions do most of the sorting:
- Tesla or non-Tesla? Teslas work with the Tesla Wall Connector or any J1772 charger. All other EVs need J1772.
- Hardwired or plug-in? A 14-50 outlet lets you swap chargers later. Hardwired is cleaner. Both are code-compliant.
- Smart (Wi-Fi) or basic? Smart chargers let you schedule overnight charging to take advantage of Idaho Power's TOU rate.
- Rebate eligibility? Idaho Power publishes a list of qualifying chargers. Check idahopower.com before purchasing.
Check the Idaho Power rebate guide for currently qualifying models before you buy anything.
Step 4: Check the Idaho Power Rebate
Idaho Power offers $200 for qualifying Level 2 charger installations for residential customers. Verify the current program terms at idahopower.com before purchasing, both the qualifying charger list and the submission deadline. Idaho Power also offers a Time of Use rate plan that pairs well with a smart charger, which is worth a separate look when you're on the site.
See the Idaho Power rebate guide for a step-by-step breakdown of the application process.
Step 5: Get Quotes from Licensed Electricians
Contact at least two Idaho-licensed electricians. Ask each one directly: Are you licensed through the state? Will you pull the permit? What's included in your quote?
A complete quote covers labor, materials, permit fee, and conduit. For a standard attached garage in Boise, expect $300 to $600 in labor. Detached garages with long conduit runs or homes needing panel upgrades cost more. See what to ask before hiring an installer for the full question list.
Step 6: Schedule Installation
Plan for a half-day block. Most attached garage installs take 2 to 4 hours. Tell your electrician in advance where you park and where you'd like the charger mounted on the wall. If your panel is in an unusual spot, mention it during the quote so they can factor in the conduit run.
Good Boise electricians book out a week or more, especially through summer. Scheduling early in the process is worth doing.
Step 7: Your Electrician Pulls the Permit
Idaho requires an electrical permit for any new 240V circuit. If your home is in the City of Boise, the permit comes from the City of Boise Building Department. If you're in unincorporated Ada County (Garden City, Star, Kuna, and most of Meridian and Eagle are incorporated separately), your electrician files with the correct jurisdiction. They know which one applies to your address.
Permits typically cost $50 to $150. Most licensed electricians include this in their quote. Without the permit, you risk losing the Idaho Power rebate and creating disclosure problems when you sell.
Step 8: Pass the Electrical Inspection
After installation, your electrician schedules an inspection with the appropriate building department. The inspector checks circuit sizing (typically 50 amps), wiring to NEC standards, GFCI protection, and charger mounting. The inspection itself is 15 to 30 minutes. Getting on the schedule usually takes 2 to 5 business days.
Your electrician handles scheduling. You need to be home during the window. If something needs a minor fix, they handle it and request a re-inspection.
Step 9: Submit Your Idaho Power Rebate
Submit your rebate application at idahopower.com after the installation is complete and inspected. Check the current deadline on Idaho Power's website when you purchase the charger, so you know exactly how much time you have. Gather your Idaho Power account number and charger purchase receipt before starting the application.
For the full submission walkthrough, see the Idaho Power rebate guide.
Step 10: Enroll in Idaho Power TOU Pricing
Idaho Power's Time of Use rate plan charges lower rates during overnight off-peak hours. Configure your EV's onboard charging timer or your smart charger's app to charge during off-peak hours and you'll pay less for every kilowatt used for the car.
Idaho Power's rates are already among the lower in the Northwest, so the TOU savings on top of that are meaningful for drivers covering 30 or more miles a day. Check idahopower.com for the current TOU rate options and sign up through your account portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually 2 to 3 weeks. A few days for quotes, then a week or more to schedule a licensed electrician. Add a day or two for the permit and 2 to 5 days to get the inspection on the calendar. The install is half a day.
Idaho Power serves most of southwest Idaho including Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, Caldwell, and most of the Treasure Valley. Check your electricity bill to confirm your utility. If it says Idaho Power, the $200 rebate and TOU program apply to you.
The Idaho Power rebate is still available. The federal Section 30C tax credit expired for installs placed in service after June 30, 2026. If your install happened before that date and your address is in a qualifying census tract, you may still claim the federal credit when you file. Ask a tax preparer. The two programs were stackable while both were active. The federal credit has passed, but Boise homeowners can still get $200 back through Idaho Power. See what local rebates are still available.