North York · Toronto Hydro service area
EV charger installation in North York
Most North York homes have what an EV owner wants: a garage or a driveway. The question is usually the panel. We check its capacity, run a dedicated Level 2 circuit to where you park, and handle the ESA permit.
Houses
Garages, driveways and long cable runs
North York's post-war houses were built with driveways, and many have attached or detached garages. That's ideal for home charging: the car sits in the same place every night, off the street. The challenge is usually inside the house. Older bungalows often have a 100 amp service, and the panel tends to be in the basement on the opposite side from the garage.
We start with a load calculation. If the panel has room, we run a dedicated 240-volt circuit to a wall-mounted charger in the garage or on an outside wall by the driveway, using outdoor-rated equipment where needed. If it doesn't, we look at a load management device that lets the charger share capacity with the house, or a panel upgrade in North York if that's the better long-term answer.
Two cars, one panel
Many North York households now have or plan two electric vehicles. Two full-size chargers on separate circuits can be more than a 100 amp, or even a busy 200 amp, service can carry. Chargers that share a circuit and balance power between the cars are often the practical answer, and we'll explain the trade-off in charging speed.
Charging speed
Level 1 or Level 2
| Level 1 | Level 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | Standard 120-volt outlet | Dedicated 240-volt circuit |
| Range added | A few kilometres per hour | Most EVs refill overnight |
| Installation | Usually none, if the outlet is suitable | Circuit, charger mounting and ESA permit |
| Best for | Short daily drives or a plug-in hybrid | Daily commuting and longer trips |
Condos and towns
Charging in North York condos
The towers along Yonge Street from Sheppard to Finch, and around Bayview Village and Don Mills, have underground parking where residents increasingly want chargers. Condo charging is a building decision as much as an electrical one: the board and property manager need to know what the building's service can support, how each owner's usage will be measured, and how the installation affects common elements.
We assess the electrical room and the route to the parking spot, and give management a clear proposal. For buildings planning chargers for several owners, see our property managers page.
Questions
EV chargers in North York: questions
My panel is in the basement and the garage is on the other side of the house. Is that a problem?
No, but it affects the price. A longer run needs more cable, sometimes a heavier size to limit voltage drop, and a route through finished spaces. In many North York bungalows we can run through the basement ceiling and up into the garage with little or no wall opening.
Can you install an EV charger in a North York condo?
We can work with your property manager and board on it. The building's electrical capacity, how usage will be metered and billed, and where the circuit can run all need agreement first. We assess the building side and propose an installation they can approve.
Do I need a panel upgrade for an EV charger?
Not always. A Level 2 charger needs its own 240-volt circuit, usually 40 to 60 amps. We do a load calculation on your home first. If your panel has room, we install the charger on its own circuit. If it doesn't, the options are a panel or service upgrade, or in some homes a load management device that lets the charger share capacity. We'll tell you which applies.
Do I need an ESA permit for an EV charger?
Yes. A Level 2 charger runs on a new 240-volt circuit, and new circuits need an ESA notification of work. We file it before we start, ESA inspects the installation, and you get a Certificate of Acceptance to keep with your house papers.
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