1. Home
  2. Auto Dealerships
  3. Service Upgrades

Electrical service upgrades

Power for DC fast chargers, new bays and the next renovation.

When your EV program, a new service bay or a facility image upgrade needs more power than the store has, we plan the upgrade from the load study to the switch-over, booked for when you're closed.

Book a load study See the process
Electricity meter, disconnect switch and a large distribution panel on the wall of a building electrical room

Does a dealership need a service upgrade for DC fast chargers?

Often, yes. DC fast chargers draw a lot of power, usually 50 kW or more each, so many stores need a larger three-phase service or a new transformer. A load study of the store's real demand shows whether you need an upgrade now, or whether Level 2 chargers with load management will do until you add DC fast charging.

When you need one

Signs the store has outgrown its service.

  • DC fast chargingYour manufacturer's EV program calls for DC fast chargers the store can't power today.
  • New bays or hoistsAn addition to the service department, or more lifts in the bays you have.
  • Facility image renovationNew showroom lighting, signage and HVAC as part of a brand refresh.
  • Main breaker trippingThe main breaker or feeders trip on busy service days or in a heat wave.
  • Car wash or detail bayPumps, blowers and heaters that need far more power than the old wash did.
  • Ageing switchgearOriginal equipment that's hard to find parts for, or that your insurer has flagged.

The process

From load study to power back on.

You get one point of contact. We handle the utility, the ESA and the switch-over.

  1. Load study

    We measure what the store really uses, from utility demand data or by logging the load, and add what's coming.

  2. Options and budget

    An upgrade isn't always the answer. We compare it with load management or smaller changes, with a price for each.

  3. Utility application

    We apply to your local utility and coordinate their part: new cables, metering and sometimes a new transformer.

  4. Permit and equipment

    We file the ESA notification and order the switchgear and panels, some of which take months to arrive.

  5. After-hours switch-over

    Booked for a Sunday or overnight, with temporary power for your DMS, phones and security where it's needed.

  6. Inspection and handover

    ESA inspection, the utility reconnects, and you get updated drawings and panel directories.

Your options

Upgrade the service, or manage the load?

The load study tells you which one fits. Sometimes it's both: load management for Level 2 now, an upgrade when DC fast charging arrives.

Service upgradeLoad management
What it doesRaises the total power the building can drawShares the existing spare capacity between chargers or equipment
Best whenBig new loads: DC fast chargers, electrification, additionsAdding Level 2 chargers where there is some spare capacity
CostHigher: equipment, utility work and a shutdownLower: a control system and wiring
Typical timelineMonths, mostly utility and equipment lead timesWeeks
DisruptionOne planned power shutdownLittle or none

Planning EV chargers? We plan the charger layout and the upgrade together, so you only dig up the lot once.

Dealership EV chargers

Questions

Service upgrade questions.

How long does an electrical service upgrade take for a dealership?

It depends mostly on the utility and on equipment lead times. Smaller upgrades can be done in a few weeks. Larger upgrades that need new switchgear or a new transformer can take several months from application to switch-over, so start early if you have a program deadline.

Will the store lose power during the upgrade?

Only during the planned switch-over, which we book for when you're closed, usually overnight or on a Sunday. Where your DMS, phones or security need power during the work, we arrange temporary power.

Can load management avoid a service upgrade?

For Level 2 chargers, often yes. For DC fast chargers, a new service bay or a car wash, an upgrade is usually needed. The load study shows which applies to your store.

Is there funding for electrical service upgrades?

When a service upgrade is part of an EV charging project, funding programs may cover part of the eligible electrical costs. We check when we look at rebates for your chargers.

Still have a question? Ask us ›

Get started

Find out what your store can handle.

A load study is the first step, whether you need an upgrade or not.

(905) 604-3448
Book a load study