Which Electric Cars Come With A Free Or Discounted Level 2 Home Charger?

Only a few do believe it or not. And even then, you might still have to pay some money.

By: Iulian Dnistran

Updated: Oct 22, at 9:21am ET

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Charging is a significant concern among current and prospective electric vehicle owners. While nearly every automaker offers some kind of credit for public charging through one of their charging partners, that doesn’t help you out with the most common type of charging—home charging.

Home is the most reliable alternative for those who can do such a thing. It also tends to be the least expensive option now that home charging units have come down in price. However, there are potential hidden costs that could make it a more expensive option than it seems, which makes any incentives very welcoming.

Chevrolet And Cadillac

General Motors is offering a 15% discount on its PowerUp Level 2 Charger until the end of October if you use the promo code CHARGE15. With the discount, the 11.5-kilowatt wall charger costs $509.15, as opposed to $599 without the discount. That said, you also need to consider installation costs.

Honda And Acura

Honda and Acura offer a slightly more complex set of incentives for home charging on the Prologue and ZDX, respectively. But the plan is comprehensive for anyone looking for a break on the cost of a home charger.

Honda and Acura have three plans for charging incentives on these two SUVs that customers pick when they take delivery:

Plan 1: The companies will include a charger from their respective accessories catalog, add a $500 credit towards the cost of installation, and give a $100 credit for EVgo public charging.

Plan 2: That includes a portable charging cable for a 120 or 240-volt outlet, $250 towards electrical upgrades to your garage to include a 240-volt plug and $300 in EVgo credits.

Plan 3: $750 for charging at EVgo stations. That’s it.

The first plan is a good deal for those who aren’t yet set up for Level 2 home charging because by Honda’s own estimates, a Prologue will take at least 8 hours to charge from 0 to 100% on a system like that. A 120-volt portable charger will add just 30 miles for every 8 hours

The Honda/Acura deal is also good because most of the chargers from other automakers — including those that offer any incentives or help—have a recommended cost of around $600 before installation (save for Porsche, which asks a cool $1,670 for its branded unit), which they make you pay out of pocket like any dealer-installed accessory, rather than including it in the price or being able to roll it into the monthly payment for the car.

Installation is trickier to price, but nearly all automakers use Qmerit to line up customers with an electrician in their area to install the charger and make any electrical upgrades necessary.

Ford

Honda and Acura aren’t the only brands to throw new EV customers a lifeline. Starting in October 2024, Ford is offering a free Level 2 home charger with every new Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning and E-Transit purchased or leased.

The company’s 80-amp Charge Station Pro usually retails for $1,310 and is bi-directional, meaning it can route electricity from an F-150 Lightning to your house if the grid is down, as long as you also have a Home Integration System installed, as well.

Ford will also cover some of the installation costs with every new EV purchased or leased, including up to 60-amp circuits, 80 feet of wiring and ties to the meter. It does not include digging underground lines or panel upgrades.

Hyundai

People who buy or lease a 2023 or 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5, 2023 or 2024 Ioniq 6 or 2023 Kona Electric from September 21 through October 31 will get a coupon code that can be used to redeem a free ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 charger that usually retails for $549. Hyundai will also throw in a $600 installation credit, bringing the total value to a little over $1,100.

To get the free EV charger, you need to register on Hyundai’s online Marketplace and input the coupon code within 90 days of signing the contract. The automaker will then connect you with a dedicated Energy Advisor from Hyundai Home who will guide you through the charger and installation process.

The same charger is also offered for free to customers who buy a 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N but without an installation credit. Alternatively, if you don’t want the charger, you can exchange it for a $450 coupon that can be transformed into ChargePoint credits.

Others

Some automakers have programs to get customers connected with energy-saving services when they arrange for charger installation, such as the Hyundai Home network that lets dealers connect clients with not only charger installation but also get an estimate for solar panels on their homes. Most companies also let prospective EV customers look up the incentives available in their area through local, state, and federal governments, as well as utility companies.

And that’s where most of the discounts are today for home charging. With public charging no longer a bargain and becoming less dependable if you’re not using the Tesla network, home charging is the most reliable option for those who can take advantage of it. Just don’t expect all of that equipment and installation to be thrown in for free when buying any new EV.