EV charging
EV charger installation for Los Angeles homes
A home charger is a dedicated circuit, a load calculation and a permit. The hard part is almost never the charger itself; it is whether the existing service can carry it.
Start with the service, not the charger
Nearly every EV charging job comes down to one question: how much capacity does the existing service have after everything already in the building is accounted for? Empty breaker spaces tell you nothing about that. A load calculation does. We run it before recommending a charger amperage, because the answer determines whether this is a half-day install or a service upgrade.
Charger size and real charging need
A 48-amp charger on a 60-amp circuit is the maximum most homes consider, and many households do not need it. If a car sits in the driveway overnight and drives 40 miles a day, a 24- or 32-amp circuit replaces that range comfortably before morning while leaving far more headroom on the service. Choosing a smaller circuit is often what avoids a panel upgrade entirely.
When the service is too small
Three paths. Reduce the charger amperage to fit within available capacity. Install a load management device or an energy management system so the charger throttles when other large loads run. Or upgrade the service. We price the alternatives side by side rather than defaulting to the largest one.
Routing, mounting and conduit
Detached garages are common here, and a charger in a detached structure means a feeder, a small subpanel or an appropriately sized circuit with correct burial and conduit. Where the panel is on an exterior wall and the parking is on the other side of the house, the route matters to both cost and appearance. We agree on mounting height, cable management and conduit path before drilling anything.
Permit and inspection
EV charger circuits are permitted work in Los Angeles. We file the permit, install to the manufacturer instructions and the California Electrical Code, and attend the inspection. Keep the finalized permit: it matters for resale and for some utility and rebate programs.
What the install covers
- Load calculation on the existing service
- Charger amperage recommendation
- Dedicated circuit, conduit and disconnect where required
- Wall mount, cable management and clearance
- Permit filed and inspection attended
- Commissioning and a charging test
Common EV charging situations
Panel has no capacity
A load calculation shows the service is maxed. Load management or a smaller charger often solves it without an upgrade.
Detached garage parking
Requires a properly sized feeder and, frequently, a small subpanel in the garage rather than a long branch circuit.
Street or driveway charging
Outdoor installations need weather-rated equipment, correct mounting and protection from vehicle impact.
Two vehicles, one circuit
Some equipment supports power sharing between two units. It is cheaper than doubling the circuit capacity.
Older service equipment
Adding a large continuous load to a decades-old panel is often the moment to address the panel itself.
Multifamily parking
Metering, allocation and shared infrastructure make these projects different from a single-family install.
How the work goes
Assessment
We look at the panel, the parking location and the route, and run the load calculation.
Recommendation
Charger amperage, circuit size, and the options if capacity is tight, priced against each other.
Permit and install
Permit filed, circuit run, charger mounted, disconnect installed where required.
Test and inspection
Commissioned with the vehicle, inspection attended, permit closed out.
Questions about EV charger installation
Can I use a regular 240-volt dryer outlet?
Charging from an existing receptacle is possible with portable equipment, but a dryer circuit is not sized for a continuous load and sharing it is not appropriate. A dedicated circuit is the correct installation.
Do I need a 200-amp service for an EV charger?
No. Plenty of homes charge on 100- or 125-amp services once the load calculation and charger amperage are matched properly. See panel upgrades if capacity does turn out to be the constraint.
Which charger brands do you install?
We install customer-supplied equipment from the major manufacturers, and we will tell you honestly if a particular unit is a poor fit for your circuit or location.
Is a permit really required?
Yes, for a new dedicated circuit in the City of Los Angeles. An unpermitted charger circuit is a problem at resale and can void aspects of an insurance claim.
How long does it take?
A straightforward install near the panel is typically a single visit. Detached garages, long routes and trenching add time.
Where we do this work
Available in West Adams, Mid-City, Culver City, Baldwin Hills and Crenshaw, Inglewood, and Palms and Mar Vista. See the full service area list.
Related services
Charger projects frequently touch service capacity and garage circuits.
Adding a charger at home?
Call (213) 584-4180 and we will start with a load calculation rather than a guess.