Cheapest option is looking to see if you can qualify for a free EVSE. I was able to double dip. I got my electric utility (DTE) to pay for $2500 for the charging station and installation (which I'm sure was making use of some bailout funding). Problem is the contractor (SPX) wanted to charge an outrageous price just for installation. So I was able to also enroll in the ChargePoint America program and get a free ChargePoint CT500. So I paid nothing.
The next cheapest option is to upgrade your level 1 charger. EVSEupgrade.com will do this for under $300.
For not much more than that, you can get an OpenEVSE kit and buy the necessary components to build your own. If you feel comfortable building your own computer, you can probably build your own OpenEVSE. I've got mine built but it's tripping my outlets GFCI as soon as charging starts, so I'll need to dig deeper. Since I got the free EVSE, the OpenEVSE project has been put on hold.
http://code.google.com/p/open-evse/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
If I didn't want to deal with upgrades, incentives, or DIY, I would just have my brother who works at Lowes buy me a Schneider EVlink with his discount. It was $750 last I checked and has very positive reviews.
Another option is to check eBay or Craigslist. You can usually find someone who has upgraded theirs or sold their EV and want to get rid of their old one. Sometimes you can get a good deal.
