Just finished getting a Level 2 charger installed in my garage in Etobicoke. Total process took about 3 weeks from quote to ESA inspection. Here is the full breakdown.
Level 1 vs Level 2 - Do You Need Level 2?
Level 1 (120V regular outlet): ~8 km range/hour. Fine if you drive under 50 km/day and plug in every night.
Level 2 (240V dedicated circuit): ~30-50 km range/hour. Essential for larger battery EVs (60+ kWh) or higher daily mileage.
I have a Chevy Blazer EV with 102 kWh battery. Level 1 would take 50+ hours for a full charge. Level 2 gets it done in 12-14 hours overnight.
My Costs - Etobicoke 2026
- ChargePoint Home Flex 50A charger: $649 (purchased through Home Depot)
- Licensed EC installation (40A dedicated circuit, 35 ft run from panel to garage): $780
- ESA permit and inspection: $115
- Total: $1,544
My panel (200A service, installed 2019) had room for the 40A circuit so no upgrade needed.
Panel Upgrade Situations
Older homes with 60A or 100A service that is near capacity may need a panel upgrade before EV charger installation. Panel upgrades run $3,000-$5,000. Smart chargers with load management (like the Emporia Smart EV Charger) can help defer panel upgrades by dynamically limiting charging current when other loads are high.
Rebates Available
Check with your local utility:
- Toronto Hydro: EV charging program - verify current amount
- Hydro One: Smart charge rebates - verify current amount
- Federal iZEV and home charger rebates - check canada.ca
Work must be done by a licensed electrical contractor and ESA-inspected to qualify for rebates.
Anyone else navigating the charger install process? Happy to answer questions about the Etobicoke permit process.