Circuits, hookups and chargers
EV charger circuits in the Phoenix Valley
A 240 volt circuit to the garage, sized to the charger you bought and the panel you have. Shane installs the circuit, the outlet or the hardwired charger, and pulls the permit.
- Common circuit
- 50 or 60 amps at 240 volts
- Install time
- 2 to 4 hours
- Panel check
- Load calculation first
Signs it is time for a charger circuit
- The car came with a cord for a regular outlet, and a full charge takes days.
- I bought a wall charger and need it installed.
- The panel is on the other side of the house from the garage.
- My panel is 100 or 150 amps and I am not sure it can take a charger.
What an EV charger circuit involves
A Level 2 charger runs on a 240 volt circuit sized at 125 percent of the charger's current, because charging counts as a continuous load. A 32 amp charger goes on a 40 amp circuit, a 40 amp charger on 50 amps, and a 48 amp charger on 60 amps.
Before quoting, Shane runs a load calculation on the panel, using the code's method or 12 months of your utility demand data. Many 150 and 200 amp panels carry a charger without trouble. When the panel is tight, a charger with an adjustable current setting can be set lower, or a load-managing charger shares capacity with the house, which often avoids a panel upgrade.
What an EV charger circuit costs
Prices on these pages are typical ranges for Phoenix Valley homes. Shane gives you the real number in writing after he sees the job.
Level 2 circuit, garage near the panel
$900 to $1,600
What moves the price
A level 2 charger circuit in a garage near the panel runs $900 to $1,600 installed. A detached garage or a long run costs more.
Distance is the biggest variable, then the circuit size, since a 60 amp circuit uses heavier wire than a 50.
What moves the number
- Distance to the panel
- Panel in the garage is the easy one. Panel on the far side of the house means a long run, or conduit outside.
- Charger amperage
- A 40 amp charger wants a 50 amp circuit. A 48 amp hardwired charger wants 60.
- Panel capacity
- If the panel cannot carry the charger, a load-managing charger or a panel upgrade solves it. Shane runs the numbers before quoting.
How the options compare
| Level 1, 120 volt outlet | Level 2, 14-50 outlet | Level 2, hardwired | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit | Existing 15 or 20 amp outlet | 50 amp, 240 volts | 40 to 60 amps, 240 volts |
| Most charging current | About 12 amps | 40 amps | 48 amps on a 60 amp circuit |
| Range added per hour, roughly | 3 to 5 miles | 25 to 35 miles | 35 to 45 miles |
| Swapping chargers later | Plug into any outlet | Unplug and swap | Needs an electrician |
Get a written price for your EV charger circuit.
Send the charger model if you have one, and Kai calls back the same business day to set the visit.
What the price includes
What is included
- Dedicated 240 volt circuit and breaker
- NEMA 14-50 outlet or a hardwired connection to your charger
- Mounting of the charger you bought
- Permit and inspection
- Load calculation before the price
What is not included
- The charger itself, unless you ask us to supply it
- Trenching to a detached garage, priced separately
- A panel upgrade if the load calculation calls for one, quoted separately
How the job goes
- 1
Visit
Within a few days of your call Shane checks the panel, runs the load calculation and plans the route to the charger spot.
- 2
Written price
Usually within a day One price for the circuit, the outlet or the hardwire, and the mounting.
- 3
Permit
One to three business days We file with your city or the county.
- 4
Install
2 to 4 hours for most garages Circuit run, charger mounted and set, and a test charge with your car.
The number on the quote is the number on the invoice.
Permits, inspection and code
An EV charger circuit needs an electrical permit in every city we serve, and from the county outside city limits.
The permit office and the utility change by city. We cover Ahwatukee, Maricopa, Mesa, Queen Creek and Apache Junction.
What code asks for
- EV charging counts as a continuous load, so the circuit is sized at 125 percent of the charger's current.
- Each charger outlet gets its own branch circuit.
- A plug-in charger is limited to a 50 amp outlet, so a 48 amp charger must be hardwired.
What customers say
Quoted word for word.
I would highly recommend this company to anyone. He is an excellent electrician and is wonderful to work with. I would rate him higher than a 5 but that is all they will give me.
The license and the record
- Arizona ROC license
- 326650, class R-11
- BBB rating
- A+, zero complaints
- In business
- Since 2007
- Estimates
- Free, in writing
Questions about EV charger circuits
Anything else, call (602) 879-5489 or send the form below.
Do I need a 200 amp panel for an EV charger?
Not always. A load calculation decides. Many 150 amp panels carry a 40 amp charger fine. A full 100 amp panel usually does not.
Should I get an outlet or hardwire the charger?
An outlet lets you swap chargers later. Hardwiring looks cleaner and is required for a 48 amp charger and anything bigger.
What size charger should I buy?
Check what your car can accept first. Many cars take 32 to 48 amps, and anything above the car's limit goes unused.
Do I need a permit for an EV charger?
Yes. A new 240 volt circuit is permitted work in every city we serve.
Related work
Jobs that often come up with an EV charger circuit.
100 to 200 amps
Panel upgrades
100 to 200 amp service changes, new breakers, and panels that have run out of room.
Details
20 amps on 12 AWG copper
New circuits and outlets
Dedicated circuits for garages, kitchens, workshops and anything that keeps tripping.
Details
Backfed breaker, tap or new panel
Solar electrical
The electrical side of a solar system: interconnection, disconnects and panel work.
Details
Get a free estimate on EV charger circuits.
Send the form and Kai calls or texts back to set a time. Shane looks at the actual job and writes the price. No charge for the visit.
What happens next
- Kai gets back to you the same day.
- Shane comes out and looks at the actual panel, circuit or roofline.
- You get the price and the install date in writing.
Rather talk? Call (602) 879-5489.