Six questions to ask your EV electrician
Hiring an electrician to help install your EV charger
If you're planning to install an EV charger at home, you'll likely need an electrical contractor. A contractor can provide guidance and support when installing and connecting your electrical infrastructure.
You may not need an electrician if:
- You're plugging in a Level 1 charger into an existing outlet.
- You already have an existing 240 volt outlet and are using a portable Level 2 charger.
Your electrician will obtain all necessary permits and inspections for their work. If you aren't planning on working with an electrician, you'll need to apply for and coordinate these steps on your own.
If you're unsure on how to start, consult a professional.
Need an electrician? Submit a request online. We'll refer you to a qualified electrician who is part of the Alliance of Energy Professionals.
Questions to ask your electrician about installing an EV charger
A certified electrician has the knowledge and expertise to install your EV charger properly. If you're uncertain about the process, they can help you understand what work you'll need done.
Here are some questions you can ask.
How much electricity do I need?
An electrician will help you understand what kind of charger will meet your needs. This can depend on your specific EV model, how often you use it, and how quickly you want to charge at home.
Do I need to upgrade my BC Hydro electrical service?
Most homes will have sufficient electrical capacity to power a Level 2 EV charger. However, to confirm this, your electrician will have to look at your electrical panel(s). From there, they can determine whether you can accommodate the additional electrical load.
If electrical capacity is an issue, there are ways to avoid a service upgrade. Installing an EV power management device may help manage your electrical load.
If an upgrade to your electrical service is necessary, your electrician will manage that process for you.
How will you determine my home's spare electrical load?
We recommend that your electrician reviews your last 12 months of actual meter usage data. This is used to calculate your home's spare electrical capacity.
This method results in more accurate figures than the traditional calculation approach, which estimates future electrical load. Using future estimates can overestimate the amount of electricity needed, and even lead to unnecessary upgrades.
To view your historical meter data, log in to MyHydro and follow these steps:
- Select View detailed consumption
- Select Export data
- Select the relevant calendar period. In this case, it's the last 12 months
- Select Hourly interval
This will create an Excel file with your data. Be sure to remove your BC Hydro account number for privacy, save the file, and email it to your electrician.
Will my electrical panel accommodate a new circuit for the EV charger?
A dedicated circuit in the panel is usually required for an EV charger. If you don't have sufficient space in your existing panel you may need to have a sub-panel installed.
Your electrician can advise if installing an EV power management device is a better option for you. This option may allow you to share a circuit, or avoid a sub-panel upgrade.
How will you get electricity to my EV charger?
Your home's existing electrical infrastructure will likely be a factor when deciding where to place your EV charger. Often, you'll be charging at or near your home's existing circuits and plugs, so you may not need extensive wiring work.
Will this work require an electrical permit?
Installing a Level 2 EV charger at home requires an electrical permit. Your licensed contractor will apply on your behalf.
As part of their initial assessment, your electrician may ask you one or more of the following questions:
- How often will you drive your EV? Do you plan on using it daily? If so, how many trips do you foresee taking in a day?
- What's your weekly anticipated range, in kilometres?
- Will you be powering up your EV with a charger other than your home charger, such as at your workplace or at a public charger?
Always be aware of the location of your charging cable.
Avoid getting the charging cable wet or placing it anywhere it can be stepped on or tripped over. Both of these pose serious safety hazards and can also affect your charger's performance.
If you think there's a problem with your charger, consult with a certified electrician immediately.
- EV chargers have safety precautions built in and will notify you if there's a problem. Read your owner's manual so you understand what these notifications look like, and what they mean.
- If you notice that your vehicle doesn't seem to be charging as fully or as fast as you expect, there may be a problem with the charger or the connection port. Consult with your electrician.