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EV Charger Installation in Ontario: What you Need to Know

As more drivers across Ontario make the switch to electric vehicles, the demand for EV charger installations is rapidly growing—not just for homeowners, but also for commercial properties, workplaces, and public spaces. But before you purchase a charger or schedule an install, it’s important to understand the requirements, costs, and compliance involved.

Whether you’re installing a single home charger or building out EV infrastructure for a commercial site, here’s what you need to know.

1. Your Electrical System Needs to Be Ready

EV chargers, especially Level 2 and commercial-grade models, require significant electrical capacity. If your home or facility has an older panel or is already near capacity, you may need an upgrade (e.g. 100A to 200A or higher) before installing a charger.

Commercial Tip: Multi-charger installations—such as those in parking garages or employee lots—require load balancing, smart energy distribution, and may need a dedicated sub-panel or service.

2. Permits and Inspections Are Mandatory in Ontario

All EV charger installations in Ontario must comply with ESA (Electrical Safety Authority) regulations. A permit and inspection are required—no exceptions. Failing to follow this process can void insurance, lead to fines, and create fire or shock hazards.

G&S Electric handles all permitting and ESA coordination, so you don’t have to worry about red tape.

3. Choose the Right Charger for Your Needs

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Consider:

Level 1 (residential): Plugs into a standard outlet but charges slowly.
Level 2 (residential + commercial): Requires a 240V circuit. Charges most EVs in 4–8 hours.
Level 3 / DC Fast Chargers (commercial only): For public or fleet use. Much faster, but requires specialized infrastructure and higher voltage.

Need help choosing? We can recommend models based on usage, location, and budget.

4. Location & Infrastructure Planning Matters

Your install location affects everything—from installation costs to user experience. For homes, that often means placing the charger in the garage or driveway with easy access to your vehicle. For commercial installs, you’ll need to consider:

Accessibility for customers/employees
Weatherproofing and bollards
Cable management
Signage and branding
Networked charging options (e.g. for billing or usage tracking)

5. Work With a Licensed Electrical Contractor

Installing EV chargers is high-voltage work. Whether it’s a single residential charger or a commercial rollout across multiple sites, G&S Electric ensures every install is:

Fully permitted and inspected
Code-compliant and safely wired
Built to handle current and future demand

Let’s Power the Future—Safely and Efficiently

G&S Electric provides expert EV charger installation for homes, businesses, and commercial properties across London, St. Thomas, and surrounding areas. From panel upgrades to full infrastructure planning, we’ll help you stay ahead—safely and code-compliantly.

Thinking About Installing an EV Charger?

Schedule a consultation or give us a call. We’ll help you choose the right charger—and install it safely and to code.

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