EV charging stations
A home charger is the entire reason an EV is convenient — overnight on a Level 2 circuit instead of an afternoon at a public charger. The install itself is straightforward. The part that needs an electrician is answering whether your existing service can carry it, and doing it in a way that's permitted, inspected and safe to leave running unattended all night.
First question: what will your panel take?
A Level 2 charger is a large continuous load — typically a dedicated 240-volt circuit at 40 or 50 amps. Ken runs a load calculation on your existing service before quoting, because that's what determines the answer. Plenty of homes have room. Homes still on a 100-amp service, especially with a pool and electric water heating, often don't. When capacity is tight there are usually two honest options: a load-management device that lets the charger share capacity, or a service upgrade — and those are very different numbers, so you should hear both.
Hardwired or plug-in
A NEMA 14-50 receptacle is flexible and lets you take the charger with you. A hardwired unit is the better choice for a permanent install, particularly outdoors or in a carport, and it avoids the failure mode where a cheap receptacle overheats under a nightly 40-amp draw. If you go with a receptacle, the receptacle itself matters — this is not the place for the least expensive one on the shelf.
Placement and the run
Where the unit goes decides most of the cost. A charger on the garage wall closest to the panel is a short run; one on the far side of the house, or out to a detached garage or carport, means a longer, larger conductor and possibly a trench. Ken looks at where you actually park and which side of the car the port is on before pricing it.
Why an EV charger needs a licensed electrician
EV charger installation is permitted, inspected work everywhere on the Treasure Coast, and it's the largest continuous load most homes have ever added.
- Load calculation done properly instead of assuming the panel can take it
- Permit pulled and inspection passed — which your insurer will care about if there's ever a fire
- Correct conductor sizing and overcurrent protection for a continuous load, not a nominal one
- Outdoor/wet-location requirements and disconnect placement handled to code
- Manufacturer warranties on most chargers require a licensed installation
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EV Charging Stations in your town
Send a photo of your panel and where you park — that's all Ken needs to quote it.
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