Level 1 charging
~1.4 kWSlow and simple for some drivers. Electrical condition and circuit suitability still matter.
FREE INTERACTIVE TOOL · BRILLIANT ELECTRIC
Your home EV charging planner.
Choose your electric vehicle, explore overnight charging speeds and estimate monthly electricity costs. Then see what Paul needs to check before installing a charger at your home.
Built for homeowners in Greater Vancouver
YOUR PERSONAL CHARGING PLANFour simple steps.
Four simple steps.
A smarter starting point.
We use your driving habits, electricity price and a charging setup you choose. We cannot determine spare electrical capacity from panel amperage alone. That requires a professional load assessment.
How the calculation works
Driving energy = distance × your kWh/100 km ÷ 100. Wall energy includes an illustrative 10% charging loss. Charging time = wall energy per session ÷ selected charger power. Actual speed may be lower due to your car's onboard charger, battery conditions, voltage and electrical limits. Electricity costs exclude taxes, fixed fees and any tier/time-of-day effects. No automated utility or household-load data is accessed.
LEVEL 1 VS LEVEL 2
Which home charging speed makes sense?
Level 1 charging uses a suitable household outlet and is often enough for short commutes. Level 2 can recover more driving range overnight, but requires the right equipment and an appropriately assessed electrical installation.
Explore EV charger installation with Paul ↗Level 2 charging
~3.8–11.5 kWFaster overnight replenishment, subject to the vehicle's onboard charger and approved circuit.
BC & CANADA RESOURCES
Don't miss an EV rebate.
Explore current programs for home charging, strata buildings and electric vehicle purchases. Funding, eligible products and deadlines change, so always confirm directly with the program administrator before buying or installing.
Resources reviewed October 2026 · Official sources linked
HOME CHARGERSCleanBC / Go Electric home charger rebate
For eligible homes, the base program lists up to 50% of eligible costs, capped at $350. Check availability and eligibility.
Check official details ↗POTENTIAL TOP-UPSBC Hydro charger rebate top-upsSee whether power-management equipment, your community or other conditions qualify for additional incentives.
Explore top-ups ↗CONDOS & STRATASMulti-unit residential charging programsResources for building plans, EV-ready infrastructure and eligible shared or individual charging.
Explore building programs ↗BUYING AN EVFederal Electric Vehicle Affordability ProgramFederal incentives for qualifying new EV purchases or leases. Check model, transaction-value and purchase-date rules.
Check federal eligibility ↗BC PASSENGER VEHICLESBC passenger-vehicle rebate statusThe provincial passenger-vehicle purchase rebate was listed as paused when reviewed; check for any changes.
View program status ↗OFFICIAL VEHICLE DATANRCan Canadian EV efficiency ratingsLook up year- and model-specific energy consumption ratings to personalize the calculator accurately.
View vehicle data ↗HOME EV CHARGING FAQ
Questions worth asking before installation.
Useful answers for Vancouver and Lower Mainland homeowners. Paul can review your actual home and electrical setup.
Book a conversation with Paul ↗Can I install an EV charger with a 100-amp electrical panel?
Possibly. A 100-amp service does not automatically mean yes or no. A qualified electrician needs to calculate or assess the home's existing demand, available capacity, proposed charging load and code requirements. Power-management options may sometimes help avoid a full service upgrade.
Does a 200-amp panel guarantee enough capacity?
No. The panel rating is not the same as unused capacity. Existing loads, electrical service details and the proposed charger all matter.
How much does it cost to charge an EV at home in BC?
Monthly electricity cost depends on kilometres driven, vehicle efficiency, charging losses and your actual utility tariff. Use the calculator above with the energy rate from your bill. For example, driving 1,000 km at 20 kWh/100 km uses roughly 222 kWh from the wall after illustrative 10% losses, or about $31 at an example 14¢/kWh before fees and taxes.
Can I charge in a condo or strata parking stall?
Often, but installation requires building-specific planning, permission and sometimes shared electrical infrastructure. Check your strata's process and BC's multi-unit charging programs.
Do I need a permit to install a Level 2 charger?
Electrical work may require permits, inspection and compliance with applicable local and provincial rules. Ask Paul what applies to your property and installation.
How do I choose the correct charger for my EV?
Consider the vehicle's onboard AC charging limit, connector compatibility, your daily driving, cable reach, outdoor rating, safety certification and the electrical capacity that can be approved for your home.
Does the planner know my home's power-grid capacity?
No. It doesn't connect to BC Hydro, your meter or your panel. It estimates driving energy and costs using your inputs and flags issues to review. Only a qualified professional can assess the electrical service and determine an appropriate installation.
CONSIDERING A PANEL UPGRADE?
Check my panel ↗Check your home's electrical readiness.
EV charging is just one new load. Explore other household factors with our free panel upgrade checker.
READY FOR THE REAL-WORLD PLAN?
Get the numbers. Then talk to Paul.
Bring your charging-plan summary to a conversation about your home, electrical panel, parking space and next steps.