Install an EV charger
A level 2 EV charger is a new dedicated circuit, which means it is electrical work notified to the Electrical Safety Authority and inspected. The question that decides the price is not the charger — it is whether your existing electrical service has the capacity for it. On older Ontario homes with 100A service, the answer is often that a load calculation is needed first, and sometimes that a service upgrade comes with it.
What applies when you install an EV charger in Ontario?
In Ontario, this job can involve two bodies: the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) — notification of the electrical work, and inspection; and your municipal building department — permit may apply if the work involves structural or exterior alterations.
Source: ESA — DIY electrical work (Ontario Electrical Safety Code) · Reviewed 2026-09-10 (reviewer placeholder — not credentialed sign-off)
What applies
Notification of the electrical work, and inspection
Who files The licensed electrical contractor, or you if doing the work on your own home.
This is the core requirement. A charger installed without it has no inspection record, which matters at resale and can matter to your insurer.
Permit may apply if the work involves structural or exterior alterations
Who files The contractor.
Usually not required for the circuit itself. Confirm locally if anything is being cut or built.
Who has to be certified
| Trade | What they need | Ask them |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | ECRA/ESA licensed electrical contractor Find a licensed electrical contractor (ESA) |
“What is your ECRA/ESA licence number, and will you be filing the notification?” |
What a complete quote contains
- A load calculation for your existing service, stated as a result not an assumption
- The ESA notification fee, or a clear statement that it is included
- Cable route, length, and whether any of it is exterior or underground
- The breaker size and the charger's configured output — these must match your service capacity
- Whether a load management device is being used instead of a service upgrade
- What happens to the price if the panel turns out to need work
Questions to ask out loud
Did you do a load calculation on my service?
Good answer Gives you a number and explains the headroom your panel has.
Worrying answer Says 100A is fine for everything, or doesn't mention it.
Are you filing the ESA notification?
Good answer Yes, and can tell you what the inspection covers.
Worrying answer Says it isn't needed for a plug-in unit, or that nobody bothers.
Could a load management device avoid a service upgrade here?
Good answer Knows the option and can say whether it applies to your situation.
Worrying answer Has never heard of it and defaults straight to a costly service upgrade.
Where exactly is the cable running, and is any of it outside?
Good answer Walks the route with you.
Worrying answer Will figure it out on the day.
Watch for
high "No permit needed, it just plugs in."
But before you accuse anyone A genuinely portable level 1 cord into an existing, unmodified outlet is different from a level 2 install. But if any wiring is being added or changed, notification applies.
high No load calculation mentioned on an older home.
But before you accuse anyone None on a 100A service. This is the number that determines whether the install is safe.
medium Quote is dramatically cheaper than others.
But before you accuse anyone Could be a short, simple cable run — genuinely cheaper. Compare what each quote says about the notification fee and the cable route before assuming.
Currency note
Charger rebate and utility programs change frequently and are not building law. Verify any incentive directly with the program or your utility rather than relying on an installer's summary.
Systems this job touches
Sources and review
Reviewed Reviewed 2026-09-10 Next review 2027-03-09 Tier A · 180-day SLA Reviewer: Trade reviewer (to be appointed) (placeholder)