Got my install done today. Went with the guy who offered the lowest price for a simple install utilizing the unused 40A stove circuit/capacity, knowing this may or may not pass inspection but also that he'd done many on 100A services and had them pass, as have other people by the sounds of it. My other quotes recommended 1) full 200A upgrade @ $6k and 2) $2.8k for 40A with load shedder.
As it turned out, it was the local ESA supervisor who came to inspect (usual guy is on vacation) and he wouldn't pass it, expecting the load calculation wouldn't add up. Long and the short of it I agreed to adding in a load shedder which the guy went off and got - I think the proper name is "Charge Controller for Electric Vehicles" - it's a 40A Thermolec DCC-10-40A. This was another $800. I've ended up at about $1600 taxes-in so still a huge saving over any of the quotes I got, and I know this is a good, ESA-approved solution. Getting more than 40A would have been nice but at the price of the service upgrade (or waiting for a higher-rated controller which you can apparently get), it's overkill for me. Now just hoping the ESA pass the revised install!
I'm going to keep an eye on the charger once A/C season starts and see if the controller actually ever powers it off. I won't be surprised if it doesn't but at least I know it's all done right.
As it turned out, it was the local ESA supervisor who came to inspect (usual guy is on vacation) and he wouldn't pass it, expecting the load calculation wouldn't add up. Long and the short of it I agreed to adding in a load shedder which the guy went off and got - I think the proper name is "Charge Controller for Electric Vehicles" - it's a 40A Thermolec DCC-10-40A. This was another $800. I've ended up at about $1600 taxes-in so still a huge saving over any of the quotes I got, and I know this is a good, ESA-approved solution. Getting more than 40A would have been nice but at the price of the service upgrade (or waiting for a higher-rated controller which you can apparently get), it's overkill for me. Now just hoping the ESA pass the revised install!
I'm going to keep an eye on the charger once A/C season starts and see if the controller actually ever powers it off. I won't be surprised if it doesn't but at least I know it's all done right.