Guide

Do I Need a 200 Amp Panel for an EV Charger?

This is the single most common question we see, and the honest answer is no — a 200-amp service makes things easier, but plenty of Indiana homes charge successfully on 100 or 150 amps.

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What actually matters is the load calculation

Electricians calculate your home's existing demand from the heating and cooling system, water heater, range, dryer, and general lighting, then see what capacity remains. A 100-amp home with gas heat, a gas water heater, and a gas range often has more headroom than a 150-amp all-electric home.

Options when capacity is tight

Install a lower-amperage charger. Use a load management device that pauses charging when household demand spikes. Use a circuit-sharing product that shares an existing large appliance circuit. Or upgrade the service, which is the most expensive path and the last resort.

How to find out where you stand

Photograph the open panel including the main breaker rating and the breaker layout, and note whether your heat, water heater, range, and dryer are gas or electric. That combination lets an installer give you a realistic answer quickly.

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Tell us about your vehicle and where you'd like your charger installed. Most homeowners finish in two to four minutes.

Free. No obligation. Work performed by independent local contractors.

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