Tell us about your project
Why a permit matters for your EV charger
Most Level 2 EV charger installations require an electrical permit. Many homeowners skip this because the work looks simple. But an unpermitted 240V circuit is a liability — it may not be covered by homeowners insurance if it causes a fire, and it can complicate home sales when buyers or their inspectors flag unpermitted electrical work.
Panel capacity check first
Before any charger is specified, your electrical panel needs to be assessed. A standard 200-amp panel in a home with electric heat, appliances, and EV charging may not have sufficient spare capacity for a high-amperage charger. Options include a load management device (which shares capacity between the charger and other loads), a panel upgrade, or a lower-amperage charger that still charges most EVs overnight.
State and utility rebates
Many utilities and state programs offer rebates for Level 2 EV charger installation — sometimes covering 50–100% of equipment and installation costs. Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, Con Edison, Eversource, and many others have active programs. Check your utility's website before purchasing equipment.
What Level 2 actually means for charging
A Level 2 charger (240V / 32 amp) adds approximately 20–25 miles of range per hour of charging. For most EV drivers, an overnight charge from 20% to 80% is completely normal. A high-capacity 48-amp charger adds 30–35 miles per hour, which matters more for large-battery EVs (over 80 kWh) or households with multiple EVs.