Should I Install an EV Charger at Home? A Practical Guide for Los Angeles Homeowners
Should I Install an EV Charger at Home?
Should I Install an EV Charger at Home? A Practical Guide for Los Angeles Homeowners
If you own or are thinking about buying an electric vehicle (EV), installing a dedicated home charger is one of the smartest moves you can make. This guide explains why a home EV charger matters, what the installation involves in Los Angeles, the costs and incentives to consider, common obstacles you might encounter, and a practical checklist so you can start planning today.
Why install a home EV charger?
Charging at home is convenient, reliable, and typically far cheaper than relying on public chargers. Most drivers do the majority of charging at home — overnight or during the day when the car is parked — because it fits seamlessly into daily routines. Home charging also gives you control over when and how you charge, which can reduce costs through time‑of‑use rates and let you avoid crowded public stations.
Beyond convenience and cost, installing a home charger is a way to “future‑proof” your house. Many homeowners install the electrical infrastructure before owning an EV so their home is ready when they buy one. That approach was recently featured in a story about homeowners who prepared their garage with a high‑capacity 240V connection and a smart charger so they could plug in immediately when they purchase an EV ([InsideEVs: Span smart charger story](https://insideevs.com/news/768519/span-ev-charger/)).
Which charger should I install? Level 1 vs Level 2
There are two common options for home charging:
Level 1 (120V) — Plugs into a standard household outlet. Slow (adds a few miles of range per hour). Good as a temporary solution or for low‑mileage drivers.
Level 2 (240V) — Requires a dedicated circuit and professional installation. Faster (typically 20–60 miles of range per hour depending on vehicle and charger). This is the recommended option for most homeowners.
Most drivers choose a professionally installed Level 2 charger for everyday use. Level 2 chargers also support features like scheduling, load management, and app control that help reduce energy costs and integrate with home energy systems.
Electrical work: what to expect
Installing a Level 2 charger typically involves:
Assessing your electrical service (main panel amperage) and existing loads.
Running a 240V circuit from the panel to the charger location — this may require new wiring, conduit, or trenching if the garage or parking spot is away from the house.
Installing a dedicated breaker and the charger mounting hardware.
Performing testing and safety checks, and pulling any required permits and inspections.
If your main panel is full or rated for lower amperage, you may need a panel upgrade. A professional contractor will perform a load calculation to determine whether a service upgrade is necessary. For many homes, a properly sized 40A or 50A circuit is sufficient for a Level 2 charger, but every property is different.
Smart chargers, cords, and placement
Many modern chargers are smart devices that allow scheduling, remote monitoring, and integration with home energy systems. Cord length and placement matter. A 20‑foot cord, for example, lets you position the charger so a car can pull straight in or back into a garage and still reach the vehicle’s charge port (InsideEVs).
Consider these placement tips:
Mount the charger at a height that keeps the cord off the ground but within comfortable reach.
Position the unit on the same side of the garage/driveway as the car’s charge port if possible.
Plan for future vehicles — a little extra cord length or a slightly different mounting location can avoid having to relocate the charger later.
Permits, inspections and local rules in Los Angeles
Electrical work typically requires permits and inspections to ensure safety and code compliance. In Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) has specific requirements for electrical permits, and local utility rules may affect how the installation is interconnected or billed. A licensed electrical contractor will handle permit filing and inspections for you.
Costs and incentives
Costs vary depending on the complexity of the job. A basic Level 2 installation near the electrical panel can be relatively affordable; costs increase if trenching, long conduit runs, or a service panel upgrade are required.
There are incentives and programs that can reduce upfront cost. Cities and utilities sometimes offer rebates for home chargers, and federal or state incentives may apply to certain equipment or installations. Public investment in charging infrastructure is also expanding; for example, local council programs in other regions are rapidly increasing public chargers to serve drivers without home access ([Sustainable Times: council charger expansion](https://www.sustainabletimes.co.uk/post/councils-to-install-50-000-ev-chargers-by-2027-study-finds)), and cities across the country are adding chargers in parking lots and retail centers ([Citrus Heights Sentinel: new parking lot chargers](https://citrusheightssentinel.com/2025/08/09/more-ev-charging-stations-coming-to-parking-lots-in-citrus-heights/)).
Barriers and common challenges
While home charging is ideal for many drivers, there are common challenges:
No driveway or garage: Many residents — especially in dense urban areas — do not have an off‑street parking spot. Public and curbside infrastructure is growing, but there can be gaps in coverage.
Service capacity: Older homes may need panel upgrades to safely support a dedicated EV circuit.
Costs of trenching/conduit: If the parking space is detached or farther from the panel, trenching or long conduit runs add cost.
Regulatory and safety concerns: Some local authorities are cautious about curbside solutions that involve running cables across public sidewalks due to trip‑hazard and safety worries. These concerns have at times slowed implementation of home‑charging solutions for people without driveways (The Sunday Times: health and safety barriers).
Public policy and network expansion
Public investment in EV charging is increasing, but policy shifts and program design matter. Experts who helped lead federal EV charging efforts warn that policy rollbacks or inconsistent funding can affect deployment and competition in the charging market (Automotive News: EV policy and competition).
For homeowners this means the landscape is changing quickly: more public chargers will help drivers without home access, but home charging remains the most convenient and cost‑effective choice for most EV owners.
Is it worth doing now if I don’t yet have an EV?
Yes. Many homeowners “future‑proof” their homes by installing the electrical work before they own an EV. Doing the work in advance can simplify future vehicle purchases and avoid more disruptive construction at a later date. Preparing now also lets you choose optimal placement and plan for upgrades while you can budget and shop for the best charger and incentives.
Practical checklist before you call a contractor
Use this checklist to prepare for a consultation and estimate:
Know where you want the charger mounted (garage wall, parking pad, carport).
Identify your main panel location and take photos of the panel interior (labeling of breakers helps).
Measure the distance from the panel to the charger location roughly (this affects wiring length and conduit cost).
Check whether you have dedicated parking or a shared/curbside space (this changes permitting and installation options).
Gather utility account info and any local rebate details you’ve found so the contractor can advise on incentives.
What to expect from a licensed electrical contractor
A professional contractor will:
Perform a load calculation and evaluate your panel capacity.
Recommend whether a dedicated 40A/50A circuit or a service upgrade is needed.
Provide a written estimate that itemizes materials, labor, permits, and any trenching/conduit work.
Handle permit application and inspections, and coordinate with the utility if needed.
Test the charger and provide documentation and basic training on charger operation and scheduling.
Local examples: where charging is expanding
Cities and shopping centers are increasingly adding chargers in parking lots and public spaces to serve drivers who cannot charge at home. For example, recent installations in retail parking lots show how private and municipal installations are filling gaps in the network (Citrus Heights Sentinel), and broader council programs in many regions are planning tens of thousands of public charge points in the coming years (Sustainable Times).
Final recommendation
If you plan to drive an EV — now or in the next few years — installing a Level 2 home charger is usually a worthwhile investment for convenience, lower operating costs, and increased home value. Plan the installation with a licensed electrical contractor who understands local permitting and utility requirements, and who can advise on the correct circuit sizing, charger features, and future expansion.
Need help in Los Angeles?
Shaffer Construction, Inc. is a licensed electrical and general contractor in Los Angeles specializing in EV charger installations and EV infrastructure. We handle everything from site evaluation and permits to installation, testing, and documentation. If you’d like a free consultation or estimate, contact us:
Phone: 323-642-8509
Email: hello@shaffercon.com
Address: 325 N Larchmont Blvd. #202, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Website: www.shaffercon.com
We offer a free site visit and a written estimate so you can compare options and incentives. Home charging is one of the most practical ways to enjoy EV ownership — let us make it simple and safe for your home.
Sources and further reading
[InsideEVs — Homeowners install a Span smart EV charger while future‑proofing their home](https://insideevs.com/news/768519/span-ev-charger/)
[Citrus Heights Sentinel — More EV charging stations coming to parking lots](https://citrusheightssentinel.com/2025/08/09/more-ev-charging-stations-coming-to-parking-lots-in-citrus-heights/)
Automotive News — EV policy, NEVI and competition (Gabe Klein interview)
[Sustainable Times — Councils to install 50,000+ EV chargers by 2027 (study)](https://www.sustainabletimes.co.uk/post/councils-to-install-50-000-ev-chargers-by-2027-study-finds)
The Sunday Times — Safety and accessibility issues that can slow curbside charging