EV Charger Installation In Los Angeles
A Level 2 charger at home usually takes 3 to 5 hours to install when the panel has room. LADWP pays back up to $1,000, and asks for a licensed electrician and a finaled permit. That is how we install them.
- Est. 3–5 hours on site
- Licensed & insured · CA License #1159199
How Long It Takes
| Situation | Typical time on site |
|---|---|
| The panel has capacity and is near the parking spot | 3 to 5 hours |
| The panel has to be upgraded too | 10 to 16 hours, plus the utility’s schedule |
| Detached garage, with trenching | 8 to 16 hours |
The time depends on four things: the distance from the panel, the capacity left in the panel, the route the cable has to take, and the permit.
Rebates By Utility
| Utility | What it pays in 2026 |
|---|---|
| LADWP (City of Los Angeles) | Up to $1,000 for buying and installing a Wi-Fi Level 2 charger. $250 more for a dedicated meter. $500 more for Lifeline or EZ-SAVE customers. Apply within 12 months of purchase. |
| Burbank Water and Power | $200 for a standard charger, $500 for a smart one, plus $750 for a panel upgrade. Maximum $1,250, more in disadvantaged communities. |
| Pasadena Water and Power | $600 for a Wi-Fi charger, $200 for a standard one. Apply within 180 days. |
| Glendale Water & Power | Up to $599 for a networked charger. |
| Southern California Edison (Santa Monica, Long Beach) | No charger rebate. Charge Ready Home pays for the panel and the circuit, up to $4,200, for income-qualified customers. |
The LADWP rebate covers installation only when a licensed electrician does the work and the LADBS permit shows as finaled. The invoice has to show the license number. The federal 30C tax credit ended for equipment placed in service after June 30, 2026.
Hardwired Or Plug-In
A NEMA 14-50 outlet delivers up to 40 amps and needs GFCI protection. A hardwired charger delivers up to 48 amps on a 60 amp circuit. The Tesla Wall Connector is hardwired only, and it can be set lower: 40 amps on a 50 amp breaker, 32 on a 40, 24 on a 30. Setting it lower is often what avoids a panel upgrade.
The Permit
We pull it. In the City of Los Angeles it is an online LADBS permit. California law sets deadlines for cities to process charger permits, and a city cannot make the permit depend on an HOA’s approval.
Questions We Hear A Lot
How long does it take to install an EV charger?
About 3 to 5 hours when the panel has room and sits near the parking spot. With a long run, a detached garage or a panel upgrade, 8 to 16 hours. The permit and the inspection come on the city’s schedule.
Do I need a permit to install an EV charger in California?
Yes for a new 240 volt circuit or a hardwired charger. The contractor pulls it. Rebates from LADWP, Burbank and Pasadena ask for the finaled permit.
Can a normal electrician install an EV charger?
Yes. Any licensed C-10 electrical contractor can install a home charger. The extra EVITP certification is required only on projects paid for with certain state funds, not on a typical home installation.
Is there still a tax credit for EV chargers?
Not for new installations. The federal 30C credit does not apply to equipment placed in service after June 30, 2026. Utility rebates are separate. Funds are limited and not guaranteed, so we check the utility’s page before quoting.
Let’s Get Your Lights On
Call, text a photo or email us. We’ll tell you how many hours the job takes. The price comes in writing before any work starts.