If you're getting an electric vehicle, you'll want to charge at home. Whether that's simple or requires more work depends mostly on your electrical panel.
Level 1 vs. Level 2
Level 1 uses a standard 120-volt outlet and adds only a few miles of range per hour. Level 2 uses a 240-volt circuit and adds much more range per hour, which is what most EV owners prefer. Most homeowners want a Level 2 charger.
What to check first
- Your panel size. Find the main breaker: 100, 150, or 200 amps.
- Available capacity. A load calculation shows how much your home already uses and whether there's room for a charger.
- Open breaker spaces. The charger needs its own dedicated circuit.
- Distance to the garage or parking spot. The farther it is from the panel, the more wire and labor.
- The charger itself. Higher amperage chargers charge faster but need a larger circuit. Confirm the connector matches your vehicle.
How big a circuit does it need?
EV chargers are treated as continuous loads, so the circuit is sized at 125% of the charger's output. As an example, a 32-amp charger typically calls for a 40-amp circuit, and a 48-amp charger calls for a 60-amp circuit. Your electrician will size everything to match your charger and your panel.
When a panel upgrade is needed
If your panel is a 100-amp panel, is nearly full, or already carries large loads such as electric heat or cooking, a charger may push it past its limit. Sometimes smart load management can avoid an upgrade. Sometimes a service upgrade is the right answer, especially if you're also planning a heat pump.
Permits and inspection
A proper EV charger installation is permitted and inspected. This protects your safety and your insurance coverage, and it's usually required.
The best first step is a quick visit from a licensed electrician who can look at your panel, run the load calculation, and give you a written price.
Want a professional opinion?
Call us any time, day or night, at (425) 615-5000, or book online. Written pricing before any work begins.
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