Do You Need This?

Most homes don't need a panel upgrade.

Before installing a Level 2 charger, we do a quick load calculation. Most panels already have the room. If yours doesn't, here's exactly what a full upgrade involves — and what it costs.

Get My Load Calc → See the Decision Tree

100A vs 200A

What's actually inside your panel

Older 100 A service can run out of breaker slots and headroom the moment a Level 2 charger joins the party. 200 A gives you the room.

Legacy

100 A Service

Typical of homes built before the 1990s.

Main Service100 A

Free Slots

0–2

EV Headroom

Marginal

Cannot safely add a 40–50 A Level 2 circuit alongside AC, electric dryer, and oven
Often runs at >80% of service capacity during summer evenings
May require service drop upgrade from utility before any new circuit

Recommended

200 A Service

The current standard for EV-ready homes.

Main Service200 A

Free Slots

6–10

EV Headroom

100 A spare

Comfortably supports a 50 A Level 2 charger plus AC, dryer, oven, and pool/hot tub
Future-proofed for a second EV, heat pump, induction range, or solar inverter
Specialized double-pole breaker space already built in

Already have 300 A or 400 A service? That's a strong starting point — though larger homes can run close to capacity too, so we'll still run the same load calc to confirm your exact headroom.

Why a Load Calc Comes First

Here's what one actually looks like

A real-world example: a 100 A home that wants to add a 40 A Level 2 charger.

Central AC

30 A

Electric Dryer

24 A

Electric Oven

20 A

Lighting + Outlets

15 A

New Level 2 Charger (40A × 1.25)

50 A

Calculated Demand 139 A → exceeds 100 A service

Result: 100 A panel cannot support this configuration. Solution: upgrade to 200 A service.

Decision Tree

Which path is right for your home?

It comes down to one question: does your panel have the headroom? We'll confirm yours during the free site assessment.

✅

Enough Headroom

Your load calc shows enough spare capacity for the charger. We install directly — no panel work needed.

🔧

Panel Upgrade Needed

Your load calc exceeds what the panel can support. We upgrade your service to 200 A to make room.

Want the whole picture? Our guide covers how to check your own panel, the warning signs, and your options: Do You Need a Panel Upgrade for an EV Charger?

Schematic / Level 2 Home Charger

From the wall
to the battery cell.

ChargeWorks installs and services every EV brand and every charger brand — the process below is the same regardless of make.

Level 2 Home Charger

The wall-mounted or pedestal charging station itself. Hardwired or plugged into the 240 V circuit, it negotiates with the vehicle and delivers regulated current.

Charging Cable

The flexible cable extending from the charger. Carries the regulated AC current from the unit to your vehicle's port.

Charging Connector

The connector at the end of the cable that locks into the vehicle's port. Most vehicles since 2025 use NACS (the North American Charging Standard), while many 2015–2023 models use J1772 — we install and support both.

Vehicle Charge Port

Every EV has one. The exact location — front fender, rear quarter panel, between the headlights — varies by manufacturer.

Onboard Charger & Battery Pack

The destination. The vehicle's built-in AC-to-DC converter stores the incoming current in the battery pack — this part of the process is universal across every EV brand.

What Determines Your Price

Why we quote panel upgrades after we see them

Panel condition and utility requirements vary too much house to house to price sight-unseen. Here's what goes into your number — then it's one flat price, confirmed before work starts.

Panel condition & age

Whether your panel can stay or needs full replacement — straightforward for most, more involved for legacy Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels.

Confirmed on-site

Included in your quote

Utility service capacity

Most homes' existing service already has the headroom. If yours needs more, we coordinate directly with your utility (ComEd, Ameren, or your local provider) on upgrading the service drop (overhead, from a pole-mounted transformer) or service lateral (underground, from a pad-mounted transformer).

Rare — most homes skip this

We handle the coordination

Wire routing & distance

Running through open framing, an attic, or a crawlspace changes the time and materials — not just the raw footage from panel to charger.

Varies by path

Assessed on-site

Your total

One flat number, confirmed before any work begins. No open-ended billing once you accept the quote.

Fixed upfront

One flat price

Red Flags

When a panel upgrade isn't optional

Some conditions make a full upgrade non-negotiable for safety, code, and insurance reasons.

⚠️

Federal Pacific / Zinsco panels

Known fire hazards. Most insurers require replacement before adding any new high-draw circuit, EV or otherwise.

🔥

Heat or scorch marks

Discoloration around breakers or the panel cover indicates arcing or sustained overload. Replace before adding load.

🔌

No empty slots

If every slot is occupied and you can't safely double-tap, you need a larger panel — alternatives won't help here.

🏚️

Pre-1965 service

60 A or 80 A fused service was common. Modern code requires a full replacement before any 240 V EV circuit.