An EV owner in Bengaluru was recently quoted ₹80,000 to install a 3.3 kW home charger. The quote included a "load upgrade" his charger didn't need.
That's the problem with installation pricing in India. Most buyers have no idea what the job involves, so they can't tell a fair quote from an inflated one.
Quick answer: For a 3.3 kW charger like Kazam Zip Pro, you pay for the charger and a short, dedicated wiring run. No load enhancement is needed, even on a 3 kW sanctioned load. For a 7.4 kW charger like Kazam Zoom, add heavier wiring and a load enhancement from your electricity company. In Bengaluru, BESCOM charges a per-kW fee for that plus a ₹5,000 contract fee.
Here's where each rupee goes, and how to check any quote you're given.
What you're actually paying for
Every home charger installation has four parts. Some are fixed, and one depends entirely on where you live.
1. The charger
Usually the biggest single cost.
Kazam quotes its chargers on request, because the right charger and installation depend on your car, your sanctioned load and your cable route. Contact Kazam for a quote on Kazam Zip Pro (3.3 kW) or Kazam Zoom (7.4 kW).
2. The wiring run
This is the part that varies most, and where most inflated quotes hide. Your charger needs its own cable from your distribution board or meter to the parking spot.
- Independent house: usually a short run, often under 15 metres, from the board to the garage or porch.
- Apartment: the cable may have to run from a meter room in the basement or ground floor, across the parking level, to your spot. That can be 30, 50 or more metres.
The cable's thickness depends on two things: the charger's current and the length of the run. Zip Pro draws 16 A; Zoom draws 32 A and needs heavier cable. Longer runs also need thicker cable to avoid losing voltage along the way. So a thicker cable in a quote isn't automatically a red flag. It should simply come with an explanation.
3. Protection and earthing
This is the part you should never skimp on:
- A dedicated MCB for the charger circuit alone
- An RCD (earth leakage protection) to cut power if current leaks to ground
- Proper earthing, tested before the charger goes live
The Kazam and AEEE study of more than 80,000 home installations found that nearly 45% of Indian homes need some electrical upgrade before they can charge safely, and its recommendations include proper earthing and dedicated circuit protection. Our earthing and dedicated circuits guide explains each one.
4. Electricity company charges (only for 7.4 kW)
If you install a 7.4 kW charger, you'll need a load enhancement from your DISCOM. A 3.3 kW charger doesn't need one, even on a 3 kW sanctioned load. More on these charges below.
Zip Pro vs Zoom: how installation costs differ
The two chargers cost different amounts to install, and the difference isn't only the price tag.
Kazam Zip Pro (3.3 kW): the lower-cost install
- Charger: price on request from Kazam
- Wiring: a dedicated 16 A circuit with MCB, RCD and earthing
- Load enhancement: not needed, even on a 3 kW sanctioned load
- DISCOM charges: none
Kazam Zoom (7.4 kW): more to set up, much faster charging
- Charger: price on request from Kazam
- Wiring: a dedicated 32 A circuit with heavier cable, MCB, RCD and earthing
- Load enhancement: required
- DISCOM charges: yes (see the Bengaluru example below)
Zoom's extra setup cost buys you speed: it charges cars with a 7.2 kW onboard charger more than twice as fast. Whether that's worth it depends on your car and your driving. Our [7.4 kW vs 3.3 kW guide] walks through that decision.
Example: load enhancement charges in Bengaluru(Current Data)
For a domestic LT-1 connection with BESCOM, installing Zoom means these charges on top of the charger and wiring:
- Load enhancement charges: as applicable per kW of added load, covering all expenses
- Contract fee: ₹5,000
- Three-phase connection with a smart meter: ₹10,000, only if your connection is moved to three-phase
Other DISCOMs charge differently, so check with yours. Always pay against the DISCOM's official demand note, not a figure quoted verbally by a contractor.
How to read an installer's quote
A fair quote is one you can understand line by line. Before you pay anything, ask for it to be itemised under these heads:
Charger: model, power rating and price.
Cable: type, thickness and length in metres, with the rate per metre.
Protection: MCB rating, RCD and earthing work, listed separately.
Labour: the installer's own charge for the job.
DISCOM charges: only if you need a load enhancement, backed by the DISCOM's official demand note.
Red flags
- A "load upgrade" for a 3.3 kW charger. A 3.3 kW charger needs no load enhancement, even on a 3 kW sanctioned load. If a quote includes one, ask why.
- A lump sum with no breakdown. "₹80,000 all inclusive" tells you nothing. Insist on line items.
- DISCOM fees with no paperwork. Electricity company charges come with a demand note or receipt from the DISCOM itself. A contractor's verbal figure isn't the same thing.
- Unexplained heavy cable. Thicker cable can be justified on a long run or for a 7.4 kW charger. Ask the installer to explain the size they've chosen.
- A special category surcharge. In Bengaluru, BESCOM handles multi-storey buildings through dedicated divisions. That decides who processes your application, not an extra fee for you to pay.
Where it's worth spending
Not every higher quote is a bad one. Spend without hesitation on:
• Earthing that's properly tested, with the reading shown to you
• A dedicated circuit that doesn't share a socket with your geyser or washing machine
• A weatherproof charger rated IP54 or better if your parking is open to rain
Which Kazam charger gives you the best value?
Choose Kazam Zip Pro if you want the lowest total cost: no load enhancement, no DISCOM charges, and a standard 16 A circuit. It suits cars with a 3.3 kW onboard charger, city driving under about 80 km a day, and homes that also charge a scooter.
Choose Kazam Zoom if your car accepts 7.2 kW or more and you value charging speed. The load enhancement and heavier wiring are a one-time cost, and you get more than twice the charging speed every day after.
Want a firm number before you decide? [Book a home assessment] with Kazam Rangers, our trained technicians. They'll check your sanctioned load, earthing and cable route, and give you an itemised quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to install an EV charger at home in India?
It depends on the charger and your wiring. A 3.3 kW charger like Kazam Zip Pro needs only a dedicated 16 A circuit and no electricity company charges. A 7.4 kW charger like Kazam Zoom needs heavier wiring plus load enhancement charges from your DISCOM. The biggest variable is the cable run, so contact Kazam for a quote based on your home.
Do I need to pay for a load enhancement to install a 3.3 kW charger?
No. A 3.3 kW charger doesn't need a load enhancement, even on a 3 kW sanctioned load.
What does BESCOM charge for a load enhancement?
For a domestic LT-1 connection in Bengaluru, BESCOM charges a per-kW load enhancement fee covering all expenses, a ₹5,000 contract fee, and ₹10,000 if your connection is moved to three-phase with a smart meter.
Why is installation more expensive in an apartment?
Usually because of the cable run. In an apartment, the cable often goes from a meter room on the ground or basement level to your parking spot, which can be much longer than in an independent house. Ask for the cable length and rate per metre in your quote.
