Why Permitting, Policy and Smart Design Matter for Faster EV Charger Deployment in Los Angeles

Electric vehicles (EVs) are growing fast — and so must the places where people charge them. Industry estimates suggest the scale-up required is enormous: by some counts we need tens of millions of additional public and private chargers in the coming decade. Yet money alone won’t solve the problem. Permitting delays, unclear technical requirements, utility coordination and safety concerns are the practical obstacles that slow real-world installs. This post explains the main bottlenecks, highlights recent developments and gives practical advice for property owners, facility managers and fleet operators in the Los Angeles area who want chargers installed quickly and correctly.

Where we are and why permitting matters

National and state funding programs have accelerated EV charging plans, but they don’t automatically translate to on-the-ground infrastructure. One recent analysis notes that even with billions in federal funding dedicated to EV charging, permitting is the “silent killer” of deployment because slow or inconsistent permitting processes can delay or block projects at every scale (Latitude Media — We won’t hit EV goals without fixing permitting).

Permitting matters because EV charging sites touch many systems and jurisdictions at once: building codes, electrical codes, fire and life-safety reviews, zoning and sometimes environmental review. Projects can stall when reviewers ask for repeated changes, when jurisdictions lack clear checklists for EV infrastructure, or when utility interconnection requirements are slow or complex.

Recent funding and corridor programs that make planning essential

Grant programs and public funding are expanding. State and local programs — including mitigation funds and federal formulas that prioritize highway corridors and “alternative fuel corridors” — are channeling money into chargers at travel centers, retail sites and public parking. Projects that align with corridor planning and funding priorities are more likely to get grants, but they also attract greater scrutiny and technical scrutiny from funders and the public (Electrek — Indiana funding and alternative fuel corridors).

That makes early planning and clear permitting documentation essential. If your property or business wants to capture funding opportunities, having a reliable plan and a permitting strategy is as important as having the right charger hardware.

How market trends and new hardware options affect installation planning

Charger technology is diversifying. There’s a growing market for portable and modular charging solutions that can reduce initial deployment cost and add flexibility for short-term needs or pilot projects. Market analysts forecast continued growth in portable charging options and modular systems, which is useful for property owners evaluating staging strategies or temporary solutions while permitting and permanent infrastructure are completed (OpenPR — Portable EV charger market growth).

At the same time, site owners increasingly consider integrating on-site solar and energy management to reduce demand charges and make charging greener. New partnerships and software systems that combine solar generation and smart charge management allow chargers to use on-site renewables when available and grid power when needed — an approach that helps lower operating costs and improves sustainability metrics for tenants or customers (EV Infrastructure News — Solar-integrated EV charging).

Security and safety are part of good installer planning

EV chargers are not just electrical equipment — many are networked devices that communicate with charging management platforms, billing systems and utility interfaces. Recent security research has shown that vulnerabilities in charger firmware and network interfaces can be exploited, potentially causing service disruption or, in worst-case scenarios, physical damage if hardware is tampered with (PCMag UK — Charger cybersecurity and safety risks).

Working with a qualified electrical contractor who understands both the electrical and cyber-physical aspects of chargers is essential. Good installation practice includes secure network configuration, firmware management policies, physical tamper protection and coordination with vendors on secure provisioning of devices.

Common permitting pain points and how to avoid them

Based on common field experience, here are frequent reasons EV charging projects get delayed and how to reduce risk:

Incomplete or inconsistent permit applications: Provide a complete submittal package up front — site plans, load calculations, single-line electrical diagrams, charger specs, ADA and signage plans, battery energy storage (if included) and a project schedule. Ask the permitting office for a checklist before you prepare drawings.

Utility interconnection delays: Start utility coordination early. Utilities often require separate applications for service upgrades or meters. Engage the utility to determine whether a demand study, transformer upgrade or service reconductor is needed.

Code and inspection surprises: Confirm local interpretations of electrical and fire code requirements early. Some jurisdictions require conduit sleeve, bollards, or specific fire lane clearances. Coordinate inspections with charging vendor commissioning to avoid late re-inspections.

Environmental review or zoning issues: If chargers are near protected land, or in a zone with strict signage or architectural controls, get zoning approval early. If you’re retrofitting historic properties, engage preservation staff early.

Coordination between stakeholders: Many projects require landlord, tenant, utility and municipality buy-in. Use a permit-ready package and a single point of contact to reduce back-and-forth.

Step-by-step checklist for a smoother installation

Use this practical checklist when planning an EV charging project:

Define goals: Level 2 vs DC fast charging? Public access or tenant amenity? Managed billing or free charging?

Conduct a site assessment: Survey parking layout, available electrical capacity, distance to main service, and potential solar/energy storage integration.

Preliminary utility contact: Request a service capacity check and outline possible interconnection requirements.

Choose hardware and management platform: Consider charger power, network features, demand management and cybersecurity features.

Create permit-ready drawings and documentation: Single-line diagrams, load calculations, trenching plans, signage, ADA access, and construction sequencing.

Submit permits and apply for incentives: File with the AHJ (authority having jurisdiction) and concurrently apply for relevant state/local grants or incentives.

Coordinate inspections, utility work, and commissioning: Schedule inspections and utility meter/transformer work to avoid idle crews and rework.

Implement cybersecurity and physical security measures: Change default passwords, segregate charger network traffic when possible and provide tamper-resistant mounting and bollards.

Train staff and provide signage: Ensure on-site staff know how to respond to charger faults and have contact info for help. Post clear signage for parking and charging etiquette.

How modular and portable options can help while permanent infrastructure is approved

For organizations that need to provide charging quickly — for example, a temporary event, a pilot fleet program, or when waiting for a transformer upgrade — portable chargers and modular deployables can bridge the gap. These solutions let you provide charging without long trenching or major electrical upgrades, and can be moved as needs change. Use temporary systems to demonstrate demand and build a case for a permanent upgrade, but plan migration paths so temporary systems don’t become a permanent band-aid.

Market reports indicate continued innovation and adoption in portable charging products, making this an increasingly viable strategy for phased rollouts (OpenPR — Portable charger market growth).

Solar, storage and smart charging: an integrated approach

Pairing chargers with on-site solar and energy management can reduce peak demand charges and improve sustainability outcomes. New software platforms enable smart scheduling, vehicle-to-grid readiness and solar-prioritized charging, which can be especially attractive for commercial and multi-tenant properties seeking lower operating costs and better carbon accounting.

When designing such systems, make sure your electrical design includes allowances for inverter capacity, battery storage controls and a management platform that supports demand response or time-of-use optimization. Partnerships between charging software firms and solar integrators are producing turnkey models for combined installations (EV Infrastructure News — Solar-integrated EV charging).

Security best practices for networked chargers

Security and firmware management matter. Treat chargers like any other IoT device on your network: change default credentials, use secure VLANs for charger traffic, and require secure authentication for charge management portals. Ask vendors about over-the-air (OTA) update policies and documented security testing. Regularly patch charger firmware and maintain logs so you can detect unusual behavior early. Research into charger vulnerabilities shows that neglecting these areas can produce serious safety and operational consequences (PCMag UK — charger vulnerabilities).

Putting it together: a practical example

Imagine a small shopping center in Los Angeles wants to add eight Level 2 chargers for customers and two DC fast chargers for through-traffic along a major artery. A permit-ready approach would:

Start with a site survey to locate the main service, transformer capacity and ideal charger locations for accessibility and traffic flow.

Submit a complete electrical package with single-line diagrams and load calculations, plus a staging plan for how the site will be constructed with minimal disruption.

Open a utility interconnection ticket immediately and identify if a service upgrade or demand management solution (smart charging) is better than immediate transformer replacement.

Apply for local or state incentives that support both Level 2 and DC fast chargers — and align the project with corridor/funding priorities if applicable (these priorities can make grant approval easier) (Electrek — funding and corridor context).

Specify chargers and management systems with secure firmware practices and documented OTA update paths, and plan for physical protection of equipment.

When the plan and documentation are complete, permitting typically moves faster and unexpected change orders are reduced. That saves time and money and shortens the gap between funding award and operational chargers.

How Shaffer Construction can help

At Shaffer Construction, Inc., we specialize in electrical and general contracting for EV charger installations across Los Angeles. We help property owners, property managers and fleet operators with site assessments, permit-ready engineering, utility coordination, equipment installation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance. Our services cover Level 2 and DC fast charger installations, solar and energy management integration, and cybersecurity practices on networked charging systems.

If you want a partner who understands local permitting realities and can move a project from concept to operation with minimal delay, get in touch:

Shaffer Construction, Inc. — www.shaffercon.com

Phone: 323-642-8509

Email: hello@shaffercon.com

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

Useful reading and sources

We won’t hit EV goals without fixing permitting — Latitude Media (permitting and funding context)

Indiana gets a big EV charging boost — Electrek (funding, corridor planning)

Ampeco and Peblar partner for solar-integrated EV charging — EV Infrastructure News (solar + charging integration)

Portable EV charger market analysis — OpenPR (portable/modular charger trends)

This scary EV charger hack could burn down your house — PCMag UK (security and safety considerations)

Deploying chargers quickly requires more than equipment — it requires a plan that addresses permitting, utilities, safety and operations. With advance planning, smart hardware choices and experienced installation partners, property owners in Los Angeles can move efficiently from concept to operational chargers while reducing risk and maximizing funding opportunities.

Contact Shaffer Construction to schedule a site assessment and get a permit-ready plan for your EV charging project.