Start with a load assessment
Panel labels and breaker spaces alone do not prove available capacity. The assessment considers the service rating and existing household loads.
Load management
Approved energy-management equipment can control EV charging in response to other electrical demand, helping some homes use existing service capacity safely.
Plan for future electrification
If a household expects a second EV, heat pump, electric water heating or other major loads, a broader electrical plan can avoid making today's charging decision in isolation.
Common questions
Panel upgrades for EV charging: common questions
Can I add an EV charger to a 100-amp panel?
Usually yes. A load calculation to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code decides it, and many 100-amp homes support a 32-amp charger comfortably. Homes already running electric heat, an electric range and a hot tub are the common exceptions.
How do I know if I need a panel upgrade?
Breaker spaces and the number on the main breaker don't answer it — the calculated load of your existing appliances against your service rating does. That calculation is part of our site assessment.
What does load management do instead of an upgrade?
An approved energy-management device monitors household demand and reduces or pauses charging when the rest of the home draws heavily. It lets tight services carry a charger safely, and costs a fraction of a service upgrade.
How much does a service upgrade cost?
It varies widely because it involves the utility, the meter base, the panel and sometimes the service mast. It's quoted separately from the charger work, and we always price the load-management alternative beside it so you can compare.
Will a smaller charger avoid the upgrade?
Often, yes. Dropping from 48 amps to 32 or even 24 amps materially reduces the calculated load while still charging most vehicles fully overnight. This is the cheapest fix in a lot of older homes.
Should I upgrade anyway if I'm planning a heat pump?
Possibly. If a heat pump, electric water heating or a second EV is on the horizon, doing the service work once is usually cheaper than doing charger workarounds now and an upgrade in two years. We'll lay out both paths.