If your home has a 100 A panel and you want to add a charger, the first question is: do I have enough capacity? Spoiler: often yes, sometimes no, and there are in-between solutions.
The load calculation
A master electrician assesses the load under the Québec Electrical Code. They add up the consumption of large appliances (heating, A/C, dryer, range, water heater), apply the regulatory factors, then check whether an additional charger fits.
For a recent home with primary electric heating, central A/C and a hot tub, 100 A is usually maxed out. For a renovated home with efficient heating or a heat pump, it's often doable.
The in-between solutions
A smart load-management device (or EVSE splitter) lets you share part of the panel's capacity between two large appliances — for example a charger and a range. Cost: between $400 and $800 installed, versus $3,000 and up for a full panel upgrade.
It's an excellent option for homeowners who want to avoid heavy work, provided their routine allows for it.
When moving to 200 A becomes unavoidable
Three scenarios almost always trigger an upgrade: adding an EV charger plus a Powerwall, installing a central heat pump on top of a charger, or expanding the home with a new wing (finished basement, heated garage).
In these cases, 200 A pays off in the long run: it frees up capacity for 10 to 15 years, increases resale value and simplifies every future addition.
How much does it cost?
Cost depends on the condition of the service entrance, the length of the Hydro-Québec connection and any code corrections. For a standard North Shore home, the usual range is between $2,500 and $5,000, taxes included.
We always provide a firm written quote after a free visit — no vague numbers.
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Our articles are written by our technical team to help you make the right decisions. If your situation is unique, contact us — we assess your project at no charge.
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