EV Charging Infrastructure: Funding, Standards, Maintenance, and What Los Angeles Property Owners Should Know

Electric vehicles are no longer a niche — they are reshaping how people and fleets use transportation. For property owners, facility managers, and fleet operators in Los Angeles, planning and installing reliable EV charging infrastructure means thinking beyond the charger unit itself. It requires understanding funding programs, state and federal policy directions, maintenance and inspection responsibilities, and the practical electrical and site design considerations that keep chargers available and safe.

Why now is the time to plan EV charging (funding & policy signals)

Multiple recent actions by state and federal authorities show that investment in charging infrastructure continues to accelerate. States are rolling out targeted grants and programs to expand charging along highway corridors, at workplaces, multifamily housing, and for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. For example, a recent state announcement described a $46 million initiative aimed at strengthening corridor charging and supporting medium- and heavy-duty vehicle electrification, with funding set aside for workplace, campus, and multi-unit dwelling infrastructure deployment (State delivering $46 million jolt to EV charging network).

At the federal level, guidance for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program continues to evolve. States are resuming buildouts and adjusting plans to match new program guidance, which keeps funds moving toward highway and corridor chargers as well as related site upgrades (NH plans to resume EV charging buildout based on new federal guidance).

What this means for Los Angeles: funding opportunities and program priorities change frequently, but the momentum toward expanded public and private charging remains. Property owners who prepare now — by assessing electrical capacity, site access, and permitting pathways — position themselves to apply for grants and incentives, and to avoid long lead times when demand grows.

Types of charging and where they make sense

Understanding the differences between Level 2 and DC fast charging is essential to match technology to use case:

Level 2 (AC) charging – Typically 208/240V single- or three-phase, ideal for workplaces, multifamily housing, retail centers and overnight fleet charging. They are lower cost per unit and simpler to install when adequate panel capacity exists.

DC Fast Charging (DCFC) – Higher power (50 kW–350+kW), best for highway corridor sites, public charging hubs, and fleet operations where quick turnaround is needed. DCFC installations usually require significant electrical upgrades and higher upfront costs but support faster turnover.

Examples from around the country show different deployment models. Fast-charging depots with many simultaneous DCFC units are being opened to support areas with high EV adoption and commuter traffic (EV fast charging expands in North Carolina). Those models are useful if your site will serve highway traffic or act as a regional hub.

Key site and electrical considerations for Los Angeles properties

Before a single charger is ordered, a site assessment and electrical study are the most valuable investments. These studies verify available utility capacity, identify necessary transformer and service upgrades, and clarify trenching, conduit, and metering needs. Important items to cover:

Load calculations — Evaluate existing building loads, expected EV load, and potential for demand management or energy storage to reduce peak utility demand charges.

Utility coordination — Many DCFC projects require utility interaction for service upgrades or new service. Early engagement prevents months of delay.

Site layout — Consider parking geometry, ADA accessibility, lighting, camera/cybersecurity placement, and pedestrian flows. Charger placement should minimize cable crossing and ensure vehicles can pull-through or park easily.

Permitting & interconnection — Local permits, inspection timelines, and interconnection applications vary; Los Angeles has its own permitting processes that should be navigated with experienced contractors.

Future-proofing — Design conduits and panel spaces with spare capacity so additional chargers can be added later at lower cost.

Maintenance, warranty replacements, and uptime

Keeping chargers online is as important as installing them. Regular preventative maintenance, warranty management, and quick response for repairs reduce downtime and protect revenue. Public agencies and private operators frequently schedule planned maintenance and work with manufacturers’ warranties to replace faulty modules quickly — for example, a state DOT replacement of faulty chargers at a park-and-ride used warranty coverage and coordinated shutdowns to limit user disruption (EV charger replacement at Kahului Park & Ride).

Best practices for maintenance and uptime include:

Establishing a service-level agreement (SLA) for response times and parts replacement.

Implementing monitoring systems that report charger health in real time.

Keeping replacement parts or modular components on hand for high-duty sites.

Scheduling maintenance during low-use windows, and communicating planned outages clearly to users.

Accuracy, safety, and inspection: growing expectations

As EV charging becomes a utility and consumer-facing service, jurisdictions are increasingly focused on inspecting chargers for safety and billing accuracy. Some counties have started acquiring test equipment to verify that EV stations deliver correct energy and operate safely — a step similar to traditional fuel pump inspections (County becomes first in PA to inspect EV charging stations).

What property owners should expect:

Periodic inspections for electrical safety, grounding, and physical security.

Potential requirements to provide usage and billing data to regulators or to make calibration accessible for inspectors.

Documentation readiness: prepare wiring diagrams, load calculations, and interconnection agreements for inspection.

Fleet charging and depot considerations

Electrifying medium- and heavy-duty fleets requires a different approach than passenger vehicle charging. States and regions are creating targeted grant programs for medium- and heavy-duty charging at strategic hubs and along corridors. These programs often focus on reducing pollution from freight and buses while supporting larger-scale infrastructure investments (State delivering $46 million jolt to EV charging network).

When planning depot or fleet charging:

Design for high energy throughput and consider on-site distribution upgrades (transformer sizing, subpanels).

Incorporate smart charging systems to stage vehicle charging and reduce peak demand.

Explore grant funding or utility pilot programs that offset upfront infrastructure costs.

Factor in ventilation, maintenance bays, and charging patterns for overnight versus opportunity charging.

Real-world deployment models — what other regions are doing

Different regions are experimenting with models that inform Los Angeles deployment. High-capacity fast-charging depots with many simultaneous chargers serve as regional nodes for long-distance travel and urban fast-turnover needs. One North Carolina example describes an operator opening a 12-charger depot off a major beltway to serve growing EV adoption in that metro area (EV fast charging expands in North Carolina).

These examples demonstrate two important lessons for Los Angeles:

Location and visibility matter — freeway-adjacent or high-traffic retail sites are natural candidates for DCFC hubs.

Operational models (membership, pay-per-use, fleet access) and good signage/user interfaces improve throughput and reduce idling at chargers.

Practical next steps for Los Angeles property owners

If you manage property in Los Angeles and are considering EV charging, here is a practical checklist to move from idea to operation:

Conduct a site assessment — Electrical capacity, parking layout, ADA access, and communications/connectivity needs.

Perform a load study and utility review — Identify potential transformer or service upgrades and discuss time-of-use rates with your utility.

Choose the right charging mix — Level 2 for overnight/workplace; DCFC for corridor or high-throughput public sites.

Plan for maintenance & monitoring — Define SLAs, monitoring tools, and warranty processes to minimize downtime.

Explore funding & incentives — Watch state and federal programs and prepare permit-ready documentation to be grant-eligible.

Design for future growth — Leave pathway and panel capacity for additional chargers as EV adoption grows.

Why partner with an experienced electrical and general contractor

EV charging projects span electrical engineering, trenching and civil work, permitting, utility coordination, and integration with site systems. Working with an experienced electrical and general contractor reduces risk, shortens timelines, and improves long-term uptime. A contractor familiar with local permitting, LA Department of Building and Safety requirements, and utility interconnection specifics will help you avoid rework and delays.

Contact Shaffer Construction

Shaffer Construction, Inc. installs EV chargers and their infrastructure in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. We handle site assessments, electrical upgrades, permitting, installation, and ongoing maintenance planning. If you are ready to explore charging for a multifamily property, workplace, retail location, or fleet depot, we can help you evaluate options, estimate costs, and apply for available incentives.

Phone: 323-642-8509

Email: hello@shaffercon.com

Address: 325 N Larchmont Blvd. #202, Los Angeles, CA 90004

Website: www.shaffercon.com

Selected sources and further reading

For readers who want to dive deeper into examples and recent policy moves referenced in this article, here are the sources used:

State delivering $46 million jolt to EV charging network — Franklin Observer (coverage of state funding for corridor and medium/heavy-duty charging).

NH plans to resume EV charging buildout based on new federal guidance — New Hampshire Public Radio (NEVI guidance and state program context).

EV fast charging expands in North Carolina — Spectrum Local News (example of fast-charging depots and market growth).

EV charger replacement at Kahului Park & Ride — Maui Now (example of charger maintenance and warranty replacement).

County becomes first in PA to inspect electric vehicle charging stations — NewtownPA (inspection and accuracy testing for EV stations).

We keep an eye on funding, utility programs, and evolving regulations so our clients stay ahead of requirements and opportunities. If you want a site assessment or an estimate for EV charger installation in Los Angeles, get in touch and we can start with a no-obligation review.

— Shaffer Construction, Inc.