Power & Panels
EV Charger Installation
Plug in at night, wake up full. A Level 2 charger on its own 240 V circuit, installed so it charges at full speed without overloading the house.
A regular outlet adds only a few kilometres of range an hour. A Level 2 charger on a dedicated 240 V circuit adds most of a day's driving in a couple of hours, which is why nearly every EV owner ends up wanting one. The charger itself is the easy part. The real work is making sure your panel can carry the load and running the circuit cleanly to where you park.
What's included
- Load calculation — we check what your panel can spare before anything is installed, so the charger and the air conditioner can run at the same time.
- Dedicated 240 V circuit — sized for your charger, with the right breaker and wire for a continuous load.
- Clean wire run — through the basement and garage, in conduit where it's exposed, to the spot that suits your car's charging port.
- Charger mounting — hard-wired or a 240 V receptacle, depending on the charger, indoors or weatherproof outdoors.
- Energy management option — for smaller services, a device that shares capacity so the charger slows down when the house is busy.
- Permit and inspection — the ESA permit is filed and the installation is inspected.
Which charger should I buy?
Buy a charger certified for use in Canada (look for a CSA, cUL or cETL mark), sized to what your car can actually take. Many cars charge at about 32 amps, which needs a 40 amp circuit. Faster cars benefit from a 60 amp circuit. If you're not sure, we'll recommend one before you buy, or supply it with the installation.
When the panel is too small
An older 100 amp panel doesn't automatically mean an upgrade. An EV energy management system can let the charger share capacity safely. If the house needs more power anyway, we'll quote a panel upgrade alongside it. Price yours in the instant electrical estimate.
What affects the cost of EV charger installation
EV charger installation costs depend on the distance from the panel to where you park, the charger's amperage, whether the run is indoors, outdoors or buried to a detached garage, and whether your panel has the capacity and space. An energy management system or panel upgrade adds to the price when the panel is too small. Supplying the charger is extra if you haven't bought one.
EV Charger Installation questions
How long does an EV charger installation take?
Most installations take half a day to a day once the permit is filed. Longer runs, detached garages and panel work take longer.
Can I install the charger myself?
Charger wiring connects to your panel, so in Ontario it needs a permit and inspection, and paid work must be done by a licensed electrical contractor.
Do I need a 200 amp panel for an EV charger?
No. Many 100 amp homes can add a charger with a load calculation, or with an energy management system that shares capacity with the rest of the house.
Can the charger go outside?
Yes. Outdoor chargers need a weatherproof rating and a weatherproof connection. We mount them where the cable reaches your port without crossing a walkway.
Where we offer EV charger installation
We provide EV charger installation for homeowners in Windsor, LaSalle and Tecumseh. See what to expect in your area:
Wired right. The first time.
See a ballpark for your job in about a minute, or book a visit for a written, itemized quote.