As electric vehicles (EVs) become a common sight on the Don Valley Parkway and the Gardner Expressway, more Toronto homeowners are making the switch to electric driving. However, for many living in older homes in North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, and the wider GTA, a sudden realization halts the excitement: the electrical panel. Specifically, the standard 100-amp service that has powered the home for decades.

The question we hear almost daily at Toronto EV Experts is simple but critical: “Can I install a Level 2 charger if I only have 100 amps?” The short answer is yes. However, it requires professional assessment and smart technology. If you are looking for professional EV Charger Installation, it is vital to understand how load calculations work and what options are available to avoid costly service upgrades while ensuring your home remains safe and code-compliant.

Understanding the “Panel Anxiety” in Toronto Homes

To understand the challenge, we have to look at Toronto’s housing stock. Many homes built prior to the 2000s—from the post-war bungalows in Etobicoke to the split-levels in Scarborough—were outfitted with 100-amp electrical panels. At the time, this was plenty of power to run a refrigerator, an electric stove, lights, and perhaps a window air conditioning unit.

Fast forward to 2024, and our energy consumption has changed. We have central air conditioning, hot tubs, high-end electric dryers, and induction cooktops. When you add a high-powered electric vehicle charger to this mix, you are adding a significant “continuous load” to your system.

A Level 2 EV charger typically requires a 240-volt circuit and can draw anywhere from 30 to 50 amps depending on the vehicle and the charger settings. If your home is already using 70 or 80 amps during peak usage (like on a hot summer evening when the AC is blasting and dinner is in the oven), adding a 40-amp car charger could trip your main breaker or, worse, overheat your wiring.

But do not panic. Having a 100-amp panel does not mean you are stuck with the slow trickle of a standard wall outlet (Level 1 charging).

The Solution: How We Make 100-Amp Work

At Toronto EV Experts, we don’t do “cookie-cutter” jobs. We know that every home’s energy footprint is different. When you contact us specifically regarding a 100-amp service, we look at three distinct pathways to get your Tesla, Mustang Mach-E, or Ioniq charged up.

1. Load Management Systems (EVEMS)

This is the “magic bullet” for 100-amp homes. An Electric Vehicle Energy Management System (EVEMS), often referred to as a load shedder or DCC, allows you to install a charger without upgrading your main service to 200 amps.

How it works: The device is installed between your electrical panel and the EV charger. It monitors the total power consumption of your house in real-time. If your home’s energy usage spikes—for example, you turn on the dryer and the AC kicks in—the EVEMS temporarily cuts power to the EV charger. Once the load in the house drops back down, the charger automatically resumes.

Since EV charging usually happens overnight when other heavy appliances are off, you rarely notice the interruption. This technology allows us to install high-speed Level 2 chargers in homes that technically “on paper” don’t have the spare capacity, all while satisfying the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) requirements.

2. Adjustable Amperage Settings

Many EV owners assume they need the maximum charging speed available (typically 48 amps for a Tesla Wall Connector or similar). However, the reality of daily driving in the GTA often requires much less.

Most Level 2 chargers, including brands we install like ChargePoint Home Flex, Grizzl-E, and FLO Home, have adjustable amperage settings. By “dialing down” the charger to run on a 20-amp or 30-amp circuit, we can significantly reduce the load on your 100-amp panel.

The math serves the driver: Even at a lower 24-amp setting, you are adding roughly 30 to 40 kilometers of range per hour of charging. If you plug in at 7:00 PM and leave at 7:00 AM, you have replenished over 300km of range—more than enough for a round trip from Mississauga to downtown Toronto and back, several times over.

3. The 200-Amp Panel Upgrade

Sometimes, the math just doesn’t work. If your 100-amp panel is already maxed out, or if the panel itself is old, unsafe, or lacks physical space for new breakers, a service upgrade is the best route.

Upgrading to 200 amps future-proofs your home. It not only accommodates your new EV charger but also allows for future additions like heat pumps, electric saunas, or a secondary rental suite. As a full-service electrical firm (ESA/ECRA #: 7016895), Toronto EV Experts handles the entire upgrade process, including coordination with Toronto Hydro to disconnect and reconnect the power.

The Importance of a Professional Load Calculation

You generally cannot determine if a charger will fit on your panel just by looking at the breakers. It requires a formal Load Calculation as per the Canadian Electrical Code.

When you book an assessment with us, we perform a detailed calculation that tallies the wattage of your home’s square footage plus every major appliance. This calculation determines your “demand load.” If your demand load plus the EV charger exceeds 100 amps, we simply cannot install it directly without the EVEMS solution mentioned above.

Attempting to bypass this step is dangerous. Overloading a 100-amp service can lead to:

• Main breaker tripping (shutting off power to the whole house).
• Overheating of the main service wires.
• Fire hazards.
• Voiding your home insurance policy.

The Toronto EV Experts Process

We pride ourselves on being the specialists who know the specific rules for local building codes and Toronto Hydro requirements. Whether you are in a detached home in North York or a townhome in Vaughan, our process ensures safety and transparency.

Step 1: Assess and Quote

Contact us at (437) 218-8177 or via email at [email protected]. We review your residential electrical capacity and garage layout. In many cases, we can assess your situation virtually by looking at photos of your panel and the desired charger location. We will tell you immediately if your 100-amp service needs a management device or an upgrade.

Step 2: Selecting Your Charger

Different EVs have different needs, and we supply and install all major brands.

• Tesla Wall Connector: Perfect for Tesla owners using the NACS standard.
• Grizzl-E: A robust, Canadian-made option built for our winters.
• Universal Options: ChargePoint, FLO, Emporia, and Autel for J1772 compatible vehicles.

Step 3: Installation and ESA Permits

This is where our certification matters. We aren’t general electricians who dabble in this; we are focused specialists. Our team runs the wiring (often requiring conduit work in garages or trenching for detached structures), mounts the station, and ensures a clean finish.

Most importantly, we handle the ESA Permit Process. In Ontario, virtually all electrical work requires a permit. Once the installation is done, an inspector reviews the work. We provide you with the ESA certificate, which is your proof of safety for your insurance company and resale value.

Why Choose Toronto EV Experts?

You bought an EV to drive the future, not to stress about the plug in your garage. We have seen too many homeowners stuck with slow Level 1 chargers or messy, unpermitted DIY installations because they were told “no” by contractors who didn’t understand load management technology.

Our firm holds full ESA permits and inspections, and our technicians are verified and certified. We understand that in Toronto, dealing with older housing infrastructure is part of the job.

• Same Day Quotes Available
• Full Service: From load calculation to ESA final inspection.
• Brand Agnostic: We install what is best for your car and budget.
• Condo Solutions: We also handle complex condo setups and technical proposals for boards.

Final Verdict: Don’t let 100 Amps Stop You

Is it possible to install an EV charger on a 100-amp service in Toronto? Absolutely.

Whether through smart load management devices (EVEMS) or prudent amperage adjustments, you can enjoy the convenience of waking up to a fully charged vehicle without the massive expense of a full service upgrade.

Don’t wait 20 hours for a charge on a standard plug. Call the experts who care about your EV as much as you do.

Contact Toronto EV Experts Today

• Phone: (437) 218-8177
• Address: 4548 Dufferin St #111, North York, ON M3H 5R9

Book It. Install It. Drive It.