Electric Car Charger Installation in Spokane, WA | Wired Goat Electric
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Installing a Level 2 EV charger at your Spokane home starts with your electrical panel, not the charger on the wall. This page covers what to check before you buy, how we size and install the right setup for your home, and what to do after it's in.
What's actually behind your walls matters more than the charger
Most folks think buying the charger is the hard part. It's not. The hard part is what's behind your walls.
Your electrical panel decides everything. A Level 2 charger pulls 40 amps or more, and a lot of homes in WA are running 100-amp or 125-amp panels. That's enough for lights, the fridge, and the AC. But stack a charger on top of all that? You're pushing limits. We see this constantly on the South Hill — panel's full, every slot taken, no room to safely add a dedicated circuit without an upgrade first. Doesn't mean it can't be done. Means you need someone who actually looks at what you've got before anything gets ordered.
Where your panel sits relative to your garage matters too. A charger ten feet from the panel is a completely different job than one sixty feet away. Longer runs need heavier gauge wire to prevent voltage drop. We walk through this with every customer because it changes the scope and the cost.
Permits are another thing people overlook. WA requires electrical permits for this work, and inspections aren't optional. Skipping that process creates real problems when you sell or file an insurance claim. We handle permitting so you're not chasing paperwork.
For older homes in neighborhoods like Browne's Addition or the Perry District — aluminum wiring, undersized grounds, panels that haven't been touched since the 1970s are common finds. None of that is a dealbreaker, but it absolutely needs to be evaluated before any charger goes on the wall. Catching it early saves headaches.
Charger Amperage - 32-amp or 48-amp: How to actually decide
Questions? We're here! Let's Talk
Most folks who call us already know they want a Level 2 charger. What they don't know is how many decisions come after that.
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Amperage is the big one. A 32-amp setup charges most EVs overnight without a problem. A 48-amp unit does it faster but needs heavier wiring and a bigger breaker. We see homeowners buy a 48-amp charger online and then find out their panel can't support it. Frustrating and avoidable.
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Think about your actual driving habits. Commuting around town and plugging in every night — 32 amps is plenty. Two EVs in the garage, or long daily drives for work — higher amperage starts to make real sense. We help people sort through this every week.
Location matters too. Indoor garage installs are usually straightforward. Outdoor setups need weather-rated equipment and sometimes a post or pedestal mount. Homes with detached garages sitting 40 feet from the main panel — that distance changes the wire gauge and material costs significantly.
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One thing we always tell people: don't let the charger dictate your electrical setup. It should work the other way around. We look at your panel capacity, your wiring, and your actual charging needs first. Then we recommend what fits. Nine times out of ten, the right answer isn't the most expensive option.
What we actually do when we show up
Before we load the truck, we want to know where you park, where your panel sits, and what charger you're planning to use. A quick conversation up front saves everyone time. Nine times out of ten we can spot potential issues from a few photos and a short phone call.
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On-site, we check your actual panel capacity — not just whether there are open slots. A panel can have open slots and still be maxed out on available amperage. We find the real capacity and map out a solution that works.
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We pull the permit and coordinate with local inspectors. Spokane County and surrounding jurisdictions each have their own requirements, and we stay current on all of them.
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The actual installation is the straightforward part. Clean wiring, proper circuit protection, charger mounted where you need it. We test everything under load before we leave. Not just a flip of the breaker — we verify the full charging cycle. You're not calling us at 10 PM wondering why your car isn't charging
Getting your space ready
Clear access to your electrical panel. We've shown up to homes where the panel is buried behind storage shelves and holiday decorations. We need about three feet of clearance. If your panel is inside the house and the charger is going on the garage wall, that's fine — we run conduit through walls regularly. But knowing the layout ahead of time helps.
Think about where you actually park. Your charger cable has a reach limit, usually around 25 feet. Consider which side of the car the charge port sits on. You don't want to stretch the cable across the trunk every night.
Clear a flat wall space roughly two feet wide and three feet tall with nothing hanging in the way.
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If you're in a condo or townhome, HOA approval or coordination with a property manager may be needed before any work starts. Don't wait until install day to bring that up.
One more thing — a photo of your panel with the door open is the single most helpful thing you can send us before your appointment.
After your charger is installed
These units are built tough, but 'set it and forget it' doesn't last forever.
Check your charger's indicator lights once a week. Green means good. Blinking or amber means something needs attention. Make sure nothing's blocking airflow around the unit — boxes and holiday decorations piled against chargers are a heat buildup waiting to happen.
Outdoor installations need a closer eye. WA weather is hard on equipment. Rain, ice, temperature swings from 10 degrees to 90 across the year. Look for cracks in the cord insulation. Check where the cord meets the connector head.
We recommend having a licensed electrician check your EV charging setup once a year. If you ever smell something burning near your panel or charger — stop using it and call a professional. Don't troubleshoot that one yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions about EV Charger Installations
Do I need a permit to install an EV charger at my home in WA?
Yes. WA requires an electrical permit for EV charger installation. Inspections aren't optional either. Skipping the permit can cause real problems when you sell your home or file an insurance claim. We handle the permitting process and coordinate with local inspectors.
Will my current electrical panel handle a Level 2 charger?
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Not always — that's the first thing we check. A Level 2 charger pulls 40 amps or more. Many homes in WA were built with 100-amp or 125-amp panels that are already near capacity. Your panel might show open slots but still be maxed out on available amperage. We look at your actual capacity before anything gets ordered or mounted.
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Does it matter how far my garage is from the electrical panel?
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It matters a lot. A charger ten feet from your panel is a very different job than one sixty feet away. Longer runs need heavier gauge wire to keep voltage drop in check. Homes with detached garages sometimes need a dedicated underground run. We walk through this with every customer.
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My WA home is older. Does that affect the EV charger installation?
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Older homes in WA can have aluminum wiring, undersized grounds, or panels that haven't been touched in decades. None of that is a dealbreaker, but it needs to be looked at by a licensed electrician before any charger goes on the wall. Catching those issues early saves real headaches later.
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Should I get a 32-amp or 48-amp charger for my home?
For most daily commuters, 32 amps is plenty — you plug in at night and wake up to a full battery. A 48-amp unit charges faster but needs heavier wiring and a bigger breaker. We look at your driving habits and your panel capacity together and recommend what actually fits your setup.
What should I expect when a technician comes out to install my EV charger?
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We check your panel capacity, look at your existing wiring, and map the cleanest route from panel to charger location. We pull the permit and handle inspector coordination. After installation, we test everything under a full charging load before we leave. You won't be guessing whether it works.