EV Charger Installation: What to Know

Level 2 chargers are the standard for home EV charging. They run on 240V and can refill most vehicles overnight. Installation usually means a dedicated circuit from your panel to the charger location, often in a garage or driveway. In Coquitlam, Vancouver, Surrey, and across the Lower Mainland, more homeowners are adding EV chargers; here’s what to expect and how a licensed electrician handles the job.

Why Level 2?

Level 1 charging uses a standard 120V outlet and is slow, often adding only a few kilometres of range per hour. Level 2 uses 240V and typically delivers 30–50 km or more per hour of charging, so overnight refills are practical. Level 2 installation requires a dedicated circuit (commonly 40A or 60A), the correct wire size, and a charger unit (hardwired or plug-in) installed at the parking location.

Panel Capacity and Service Upgrades

Many older homes have 100A service and may already be near capacity. Adding a 40A or 60A circuit for an EV charger can push the panel over the limit. A licensed electrician will assess your panel and do a load calculation. If there isn’t enough capacity, we may recommend a 200A panel upgrade before or as part of the EV charger project. Doing both together avoids callbacks and ensures one permit and inspection cycle.

Permits and Inspections

EV charger installations in BC require a Technical Safety BC permit and inspection. We pull the permit, run the wiring to code, install the charger or outlet, and schedule the inspection. Once approved, you have a compliant installation that’s documented for insurance and resale. Fusion Point Electric handles the full process for homeowners in Coquitlam, the Tri-Cities, Vancouver, Surrey, and the Lower Mainland.