September 29, 2022
Do I Need a Permit to Install an EV Charger At Home?
3 Min. Read
As EV adoption numbers continue to rise, more drivers are opting for the convenience of at-home charging. Thanks to Level 2 charging technology, charging an EV overnight at home is affordable, practical, and convenient. However, the installation process entails some research and preparation. One frequently asked question is, for example, do you need a permit to install an EV charger? Read on to learn more about this aspect of upgrading your home with an EV charger.
Level 2 charger installation and electrical upgrades
With roughly 80 to 85% of charging taking place at home, Level 2 chargers have quickly been established as the go-to solution for EV owners.
These chargers use a dedicated 240V circuit to deliver up to 19.2kW. Depending on the make and model of EV you own, a Level 2 charger should add approximately 20 to 60 miles of range per hour of charging.
You might need a few electrical upgrades to install your Level 2 charger:
- A licensed professional will need to run a circuit from your breaker panel to a new 240V outlet.
- Adding a new 240V circuit to your electrical panel can require an upgrade if your panel does not have enough ampacity or does not have enough room for a double pole 240V breaker.
- A 40A charger or smaller can be a plug-in installation, but a 50A charger or above will require a hardwired installation.
- Some utility companies also require you to install a dedicated meter for your EV charger.
Do I need a permit to install an EV charger?
If you are plugging a 40A charger into an existing 240V outlet, you will not need to pull a permit since you are not making any electrical upgrades to your home.
In most cases, you will need to pull an electrical permit to install a new EV charging circuit. Rules can differ from one city or municipality to another, but a majority of jurisdictions will require that you pull a permit to add wiring to your home or upgrade your electrical panel.
Additionally, you might need a building permit if you want to do some remodeling to facilitate access to your Level 2 charger.
There are other benefits to obtaining a permit for this project:
- A permit ensures that the installer follows the best practices dictated by your jurisdiction’s electrical and building codes for a safe installation.
- Your permit will be a useful piece of documentation when reporting the changes to your homeowners’ insurance company or if you decide to sell your home in the future.
How to get a permit for your Level 2 charger installation project
You need to obtain a permit before you do any kind of work on the project. You can obtain a permit by submitting an application to the building permit department for your jurisdiction, but having your installer handle this step reduces the risks of filing incorrectly and can save you time and money in the long run.
It is easier to have your installer apply for a permit on your behalf as your application requires technical details about the electrical upgrades, including the wiring method used, the overcurrent protection method, and how the project will meet all local jurisdictional codes.
The next step in your Level 2 at-home charger installation project
At Qmerit, our mission is to make electrification projects as simple as possible. We work with an unsurpassed network of licensed electricians who can handle the permit application on your behalf and prepare your home to support your EV and EV charging systems, as well as any other electrification projects.
Now that you have your EV and have realized charging in the wild may not be a sufficient or convenient solution, you are looking at getting a home EV charger installed. Qmerit simplifies at-home installation for EV drivers across the U.S. and Canada with our unsurpassed network of certified electricians specializing in EV charging technologies. Get started today by providing some information about your home and a few photos to receive upfront pricing or a custom quote offer specifically designed to meet your needs!
