Do I Need to Upgrade My Electrical Panel to Install an EV Charger?

Written By Andre King

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more popular every year in San Diego. With incentives, rising gas prices, and cleaner energy goals, more homeowners are installing EV chargers at home. But there’s one big question we get at Andre Electric all the time:

👉 Do I need to upgrade my electrical panel to install an EV charger?

The short answer: maybe. Here’s how to find out.

Why Your Electrical Panel Matters for EV Chargers

An electrical panel is like the heart of your home’s electrical system—it distributes power to all your circuits. Each panel has a maximum capacity, measured in amps.

  • Most older homes have 100 amp panels.

  • Newer homes are often built with 200 amp panels.

Since EV chargers require a lot of power, whether your panel can handle it depends on what’s already connected and how much extra capacity you have left.

How Much Power Does an EV Charger Use?

There are two main levels of home EV chargers:

  • Level 1 Chargers (120V)
    Plug into a standard outlet and provide about 3–5 miles of range per hour.
    ✅ No panel upgrade required.

  • Level 2 Chargers (240V)
    Provide 20–30+ miles of range per hour of charging.
    ⚡ Require a dedicated 240V circuit, usually 30–60 amps.

Because a Level 2 charger draws so much power, many homeowners with 100 amp panels discover there’s not enough capacity left to safely add one.

Signs You May Need a Panel Upgrade

You’ll likely need to upgrade to a 200 amp panel if:

  • Your home currently has a 100 amp panel

  • You already have high-demand appliances (central A/C, electric range, pool equipment, etc.)

  • Breakers trip or lights flicker when appliances turn on

  • You want to future-proof for solar panels, a second EV charger, or other upgrades

Can You Add an EV Charger Without a Full Upgrade?

Sometimes, yes. At Andre Electric, we evaluate your home’s load calculation (how much power your house uses compared to what’s available). In some cases, we can install a Level 2 charger on a 100 amp panel if:

  • Your home has low overall power usage

  • You choose a lower-amp charger (e.g., 30 amps instead of 50 amps)

  • We use a load management system that balances usage between appliances and the charger

The Bottom Line

Not every EV charger installation requires a panel upgrade, but many San Diego homeowners find that upgrading to a 200 amp panel makes the most sense for safety, convenience, and future flexibility.

At Andre Electric, we specialize in both EV charger installations and panel upgrades—so whether your panel is ready as-is or needs an upgrade, we’ll make sure your system is safe, code-compliant, and ready to power your EV.

👉 Call Andre Electric today for a free estimate on EV charger installation and panel upgrades in San Diego.

Andre King
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100 Amp vs. 200 Amp Panels: What’s the Difference?