EV Charger Load Evaluation: Why You Need to Assess your EV Charger Load

Installing EV chargers at your home, condo, or commercial property requires more than just purchasing the equipment and plugging it in. One of the most critical steps in the installation process is understanding whether your building’s electrical system can handle the EV charger load. This is where a load evaluation steps in — a crucial assessment performed by a trusted engineer.

What is a Load Evaluation?

An EV charger load evaluation is a technical review of your electrical capacity to determine whether your existing electrical panel and service can support the additional EV charger load. During this process, a qualified engineer will review the building’s existing electrical load, examine peak power demand at different times of day, and calculate how much spare capacity is available. The load evaluation also takes into account any future needs such as additional EV chargers or electrical upgrades.

Skipping the EV charger load evaluation can lead to overloaded panels, tripped breakers, or unsafe operating conditions — especially in older buildings or properties already running close to their electrical limits. In some cases, failing to properly evaluate the EV charger load could lead to unexpected and expensive service upgrades after installation has started.

Why is a Load Evaluation So Important?

Without a proper EV charger load evaluation, you could face:

Unexpected power failures or tripped breakers.
Expensive service and electrical upgrades after installation has started.
Potential compliance or insurance issues if your electrical system is overloaded.

By investing time upfront to understand your building’s capacity, you can make informed decisions about the type of charger you install, the number of chargers you can support, and whether smart power management tools could help optimize usage across multiple chargers.

What Happens After a Load Evaluation?

Once the EV charger load evaluation confirms your building’s electrical capacity, the charger installation can proceed with confidence. The EV charger installers will complete the installation according to Ontario’s electrical safety standards, and the necessary documentation and inspection processes will follow to ensure everything is compliant.

How Much Does an EV Charger Load Evaluation Cost?

A standalone load evaluation will range between $750 and $2,000.

However, metroEV will cover the cost as part of your project when you choose us to install your EV charging infrastructure. For property owners who want to assess their electrical capacity before committing to a charger installation provider, metroEV can also arrange a standalone EV charger load evaluation.

metroev team

How metroEV Simplifies the Load Evaluation Process

metroEV works directly with our qualified engineers to thoroughly assess your property’s electrical capacity before any work begins. If upgrades or additional power management solutions are needed to support the planned EV charger load, these can be identified upfront—saving you time, money, and frustration.

While permits and inspections are part of the process, metroEV manages these steps on your behalf. This helps ensure everything is filed and documented properly, without extra steps for you as the property owner.

For more information, contact metroEV before starting your EV charger installation.

More on EV chargers and infrastructure:
The Importance of Implementing Scalable EV Charging Infrastructure
6 Factors to Consider When Planning Your EV Charging Infrastructure For Condos
How an EV Power Management Device Can Save Energy and Money
Complete Guide to EV Charging Stations and How They Actually Work

Explore more:

Completed metroEV Charging Projects

EV Charging Solutions for Condos

EV Charging Stations for Commercial Buildings and Businesses

Shai Sinai

AUTHOR
Shai Sinai

Shai is the VP of sales at metroEV specializing in EVCS installations. He has been involved in all aspects of the EVCS process from assessing a buildings infrastructure requirements through all facets of the installation. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the EV field.