Home charging station: planning, costs, and technology for Switzerland

Electric mobility is becoming increasingly commonplace in Switzerland. Anyone who drives an electric car quickly realizes that charging at home offers the greatest convenience. A permanently installed e-charging station—also known as a wallbox—enables reliable, fast, and controlled charging in your own parking space or garage. In addition to its everyday practicality, a private charging infrastructure also provides technical security and increases the attractiveness of a property. This guide shows you the costs involved in installing an e-charging station, how the technology differs, and what owners and tenants in Switzerland should bear in mind.

Entry-level models with basic safety features are available from around $500 to $800. Wallboxes with advanced features such as load management, app control, PV integration, or integrated residual current protection usually cost between $800 and $1,600. High-quality systems with comprehensive control, user management, and high charging capacity can reach prices of up to CHF 3,000.

Installation by a specialist company is mandatory and often accounts for the largest part of the total costs. Typical cost ranges are:

Service | from | to Electrical installation and assembly | $400 | $1,800 Cable laying/wiring | $350 | $900 Drilling or wall breakthroughs | $250 | $400 Additional fuses/circuit breakers | $200 | $500

Experience shows: In many single-family homes, the total cost of a wallbox and installation is between $1,800 and $3,000. In cases involving long cable runs, insufficient reserves in the fuse box, or older installations, the cost can rise to around $4,800.

Although electric cars can technically be charged using a normal household power outlet, this solution is unsuitable for continuous operation. Power outlets are not designed for continuous use over many hours, which can lead to overheating, material damage, or, in the worst case, a fire.

In addition, charging via a power outlet is very slow. Especially with larger batteries, a full charge often takes significantly longer than half a day. A wallbox avoids these risks and significantly increases safety.

Advantages of a wallbox in everyday life

A wallbox continuously monitors the charging process and precisely adjusts the charging power to the vehicle and house connection. This prevents overloads and keeps the current flow stable. At the same time, the charging time is significantly reduced. The permanently installed charging cable is available at all times and makes the charging process convenient and reliable. It is particularly efficient when used in combination with a photovoltaic system: smart wallboxes prefer to charge when your own solar power is available.

This is how the charging process works technically

After plugging in the charging cable, the wallbox and vehicle communicate with each other and determine the maximum safe charging power. During the charging process, the wallbox continuously adjusts the current flow and automatically reduces it towards the end of charging. Once the battery is fully charged, the current flow is stopped. This controlled management protects the battery, charging station, and home installation and extends the service life of the components.

Charging capacity, plug types, and additional functions

Private charging stations are available in power ratings from 3.7 kW to 22 kW. However, the actual charging speed is always determined by the vehicle—more precisely, by its on-board charger. In Switzerland, the Type 2 plug is standard and compatible with almost all current electric cars. Modern wall boxes offer additional functions such as dynamic load management, time control, app evaluation, RFID access, or intelligent charging with solar power. These functions are particularly useful if you have several vehicles or limited connection power.

Having your own wallbox is the most practical and safest solution for charging an electric car. It saves time, increases safety, and reduces operating costs in the long term—especially when using solar power. Anyone who uses their electric vehicle regularly, plans to have several vehicles, or wants to increase the value of their property will clearly benefit from professional installation. With careful planning and a qualified specialist company, you can create a durable and future-proof charging infrastructure.