Clear answer, explained.
Electrical service capacity is the primary constraint on how many chargers can operate simultaneously. Smart or managed charging allows facilities to install more ports than the service capacity would otherwise support by dynamically distributing power across active sessions.
A building with a 400A electrical service can typically support 4–8 Level 2 chargers drawing 7–11 kW each without requiring a service upgrade. Facilities with 800A or higher service can support substantially more. Load management software queues charging sessions and adjusts individual port output in real time to stay within a predefined demand threshold — this allows a facility to install 20 or more ports on a service that would only support 6–8 without load management.
EV charging demand should be assessed alongside the building's existing peak demand profile, particularly in Ontario where commercial electricity tariffs include demand charges based on the highest 15-minute interval. Adding unmanaged EV loads to a facility already near its demand threshold can significantly increase the monthly electricity bill. Planning EV charging as part of the facility's full energy picture — including any existing solar or battery storage — produces the most cost-effective outcome.
What this means in practice.
- 400A service typically supports 4–8 Level 2 chargers
- Smart charging allows more ports via load management
- EV load must be assessed against existing peak demand
- Load management prevents demand charge increases
- Larger services can support significantly more chargers
- Integration with solar and storage optimises total system cost
Best-fit environments.
- Commercial offices and workplace parking facilities
- Retail and hospitality properties with customer parking
- Fleet depots installing multiple simultaneous chargers
- Facilities already at or near their electrical service limit
