How Ready Is Your Property for EV Chargers? A Practical Guide for Los Angeles Homeowners & Businesses

Electric vehicles (EVs) are reshaping transportation, and charging infrastructure is the foundation that makes that shift practical for drivers and fleets. Whether you manage an apartment building, own a storefront, or are planning a Level 2 charger for your home garage, understanding the current charging landscape and what goes into a safe, code-compliant installation is essential.

Why charging readiness matters now

More drivers are choosing EVs, but public charging availability and charger speed vary widely across regions. Studies tracking charger density, charger-to-EV ratios, and average charger power show that some states and regions are far better prepared than others. Knowing where your property fits into that landscape helps you plan the right level of investment — from a single home charger to multiple commercial chargers with infrastructure upgrades.

Recent analysis of EV readiness highlights two important trends that affect property owners and managers:

Public charging growth is continuing but uneven: some regions are adding many public chargers while others lag.

Charger power (charging speed) and charger-to-vehicle ratios are as important as raw charger counts — a slow network or few fast chargers can limit practical EV use.

For more on state-by-state readiness and charger density, see the HERE–SBD EV Index reporting summarized by USA Today: HERE–SBD EV Index (USA Today).

Public charging networks and real-world driver experience

Even when chargers exist, driver experience can be confusing. Different networks, charger connectors, and the rise of network interoperability mean drivers and property owners must consider compatibility and user experience when choosing equipment. For example, using a Tesla Supercharger or other network points may require adapters or account setup, and visual feedback at the charger doesn’t always match driver expectations — which can create anxiety and support calls.

An example of this human side of charging: media coverage has shown drivers puzzled about whether their vehicle is actually charging at a Supercharger despite on-screen confirmations. Proper signage, instructions, and support systems on-site can reduce that confusion and improve satisfaction for guests and customers. For an illustrative read on charging experience and compatibility issues, see the InsideEVs coverage: Drivers and Tesla Supercharger compatibility (InsideEVs).

What’s slowing EV charger rollout — and what property owners should know

Charging infrastructure growth has real technical and regulatory hurdles. In some states growth is brisk; in others it’s slower due to local requirements, testing rules, and the technical complexity of DC metering and fast-charger equipment. Industry reporting observes that overall EV charging expansion has slowed in some markets compared to earlier rapid deployment, making targeted planning at the site level more important than ever.

Two practical implications for property owners and managers:

Permitting and specialized testing can add time and cost. Some jurisdictions require meter accuracy testing for public chargers and have distinct rules for AC and DC metering.

Supply chain, equipment standardization, and network interoperability remain moving targets that affect long-term maintenance and user experience.

Read more about the pace of infrastructure deployment across the U.S. and Europe here: EV infrastructure growth report (EV Infrastructure News).

Local compliance and meter testing — a closer look

Some states and utilities require public EV chargers to meet specific metering and accuracy tests that differ between AC and DC chargers. DC fast chargers in particular present unique metering and verification challenges because DC metering technology has matured more recently than traditional AC metering. These regulatory requirements can influence project timelines and equipment choices.

A practical example comes from reporting in Oklahoma where regulators and utilities are working through growth and testing rules. The report notes that DC and AC metering are fundamentally different and that mandated testing procedures affect rollout speed. While that article focuses on Oklahoma, similar considerations can appear in California permitting and inspection processes, so planning is essential: Oklahoma EV port growth and metering issues (Oklahoma Energy Today).

How smart planning changes outcomes for property owners

Successful EV charging projects balance site needs, user expectations, and long-term maintainability. At a high level, a smart approach covers:

Load assessment: Will the existing electrical service support the chargers you want — or is a service upgrade required?

Charger selection: Level 2 chargers for overnight and employee parking vs. DC fast chargers for quick public top-offs — choose based on use case.

Network and payment: Will chargers be open to the public, require an app or RFID, or be private for tenant/employee use?

Compliance and testing: Meet local permitting and metering standards to avoid rework or failed inspections.

User experience: Clear instructions, site lighting, camera or remote support access, and strong Wi‑Fi/cellular signal where needed.

What installation typically involves

An EV charging installation for a home or small business usually follows these steps. Larger commercial jobs add complexity around utility coordination and civil work.

Site visit and load study. We assess existing panels, transformers, and meter capacity.

Design and equipment selection. Choose charger capacity, number of ports, and network/payment options.

Permits and utility coordination. Many projects need building and electrical permits; commercial work often requires utility service upgrades or new metering.

Civil and electrical installation. Trenching, conduit, foundation work for pedestals, conduit pulling, and wiring to panels.

Commissioning and testing. Verify charging function, metering accuracy (if required), and network connectivity.

Post-install support. Warranty, maintenance plans, and remote monitoring options.

Cost factors and incentives

Installation costs vary with charger type, number of ports, electrical upgrades, and site work. DC fast chargers cost more than Level 2 because they require higher power and often dedicated utility infrastructure. Permitting, trenching, and any transformer or service upgrades are variable items that can substantially affect the final budget.

Incentives, grants, and utility programs continue to evolve and can significantly reduce net costs for both residential and commercial owners. Because these programs change often and vary by jurisdiction, we review current local and state incentives as part of the project feasibility phase.

Practical tips for Los Angeles property owners

Start with a load study early: Knowing your electrical capacity avoids surprises.

Decide who the chargers will serve: Tenants and employees, customers, or the general public — each use case points to a different setup.

Plan for growth: Install spare conduit and space for additional chargers to minimize future disruption.

Consider the user flow: Signage, payment systems, and ease of access reduce complaints and increase usage.

Document everything for future owners: Equipment models, warranty info, network access accounts, and as-built electrical drawings.

Why work with an experienced electrical and general contractor?

EV charger installation intersects multiple trades: civil work, electrical upgrades, permit navigation, and networking. Working with a contractor experienced in EV infrastructure reduces risk and speeds delivery. Key advantages include:

Single point of accountability for electrical work, trenching, hardware mounting, and commissioning.

Familiarity with local permitting and inspection processes.

Established relationships with equipment suppliers and subcontractors to control schedule and quality.

How Shaffer Construction helps (Los Angeles-focused)

At Shaffer Construction, Inc., we specialize in EV charger installations and the electrical infrastructure that supports them across Los Angeles. Our offering includes:

On-site evaluation and feasibility studies

Full electrical design and load calculations

Permitting and utility coordination

Turnkey installation: trenching, conduit, concrete work, electrical panels, and charger mounts

Commissioning, metering, and compliance testing

Ongoing maintenance and rapid response service

We work with property managers, multi-family owners, commercial landlords, and homeowners to design solutions tailored to each use case. Our goal is to make the installation process predictable, code-compliant, and user-friendly.

Case planning example (typical multi-unit project)

Imagine a 40-unit apartment building in central Los Angeles where 25% of tenants want access to chargers. A phased plan might look like:

Phase 1: Install 4 dedicated Level 2 chargers in common parking, with conduit and electrical capacity reserved for 8 additional chargers.

Phase 2: Add chargers based on demand, using the reserved conduits to reduce cost and disruption.

Operational plan: Tenant billing via networked chargers, with clear assignment of usage costs and policies.

This staged approach reduces upfront cost while giving residents immediate access and a clear path to add capacity as EV adoption grows at the property.

Staying compliant and future-proof

Regulatory requirements and metering practices are evolving. As reported in regional coverage, differences between AC and DC metering have led to additional testing requirements in some states. That means installers and owners should expect evolving compliance steps and design their systems to be test-ready and accessible for inspection: Regulatory metering considerations (Oklahoma Energy Today).

Where to read more

We rely on industry reporting and indexes to stay informed about charger rollout, network issues, and regulatory trends. Useful background reading:

State EV readiness and charger density: HERE–SBD EV Index (USA Today)

Real-world charging compatibility and user experience: InsideEVs coverage of charging experience

Site-level metering and regulatory challenges: Oklahoma Energy Today report

Market trends and the pace of infrastructure growth: EV Infrastructure News overview

Industry advisory networks and expert resources: Electric Village expert network (Charged EVs)

Next steps — how to get started

If you are in Los Angeles and ready to explore EV charging at your property, start with a no-obligation site assessment. We will:

Evaluate electrical capacity and site logistics

Outline a phased plan and cost estimate

Identify potential permits and utility steps

Provide a clear timeline from design through commissioning

Contact Shaffer Construction, Inc. to schedule a consultation or request a proposal. We handle the technical details so you can offer reliable charging to tenants, customers, or employees.

Contact Shaffer Construction, Inc.

Phone: 323-642-8509 Email: hello@shaffercon.com Address: 325 N Larchmont Blvd. #202, Los Angeles, CA 90004 Website: www.shaffercon.com

We look forward to helping you plan and install EV charging that works today and scales for tomorrow.