So You Want a Home EV Charger: Here's Exactly What to Do
From panel check to Avista programs, every step a Spokane homeowner needs, in order.
Getting a home EV charger installed in Spokane takes about 10 steps, from checking your electrical panel to enrolling in Avista rate options. Most homeowners get from zero to charging in 2 to 3 weeks. The install is a half-day job. What takes longer is scheduling a licensed electrician (Washington L&I licensing requirements narrow the pool somewhat), the permit, and the inspection. Here's the full sequence, including where Spokane homes run into panel complications, what Washington's licensing rules mean for you, and how to get current information from Avista about their programs.
Step 1: Decide Between Level 1 and Level 2
Level 1 is the cable that came with your car, plugged into a standard 120V outlet. It adds 3 to 5 miles of range per hour. In Spokane's cold winters, EV range shrinks, which means Level 1's slow recovery is even more frustrating than it would be in a milder climate. Running short on range in January is not how you want to learn this lesson.
Level 2 uses a dedicated 240V circuit and adds 20 to 30 miles per hour. Your car is fully charged by morning regardless of winter range reduction. Level 2 is the right choice for Spokane.
Step 2: Check Your Electrical Panel
Find your main panel (garage, basement, utility room, or exterior wall) and look at the main breaker. 200A with open slots is almost always fine for a new 50-amp EV circuit.
100A panels are more common in older Spokane neighborhoods like the Garland District, Audubon-Downriver, South Hill historic areas, and homes built before the 1970s. Those panels are often already running close to capacity. Options are a panel upgrade (typically $1,200 to $2,500 in Spokane) or a load management device ($200 to $400) that throttles the charger when other large appliances are running. Newer developments in Liberty Lake, Spokane Valley, and northwest Spokane almost always have 200A. Your electrician checks this on the quote visit.
Step 3: Choose Your Charger
Four questions narrow it down:
- Tesla or non-Tesla? Teslas work with the Tesla Wall Connector or any J1772 charger. All other EVs need J1772.
- Hardwired or plug-in? A 14-50 outlet makes swapping chargers easier down the road. Hardwired is cleaner. Both are code-compliant.
- Smart (Wi-Fi) or basic? A smart charger lets you schedule overnight charging. Worth having for any TOU rate program Avista offers.
- Avista qualifying model? Contact Avista at electrictransportation@avistacorp.com to ask about currently qualifying charger models before purchasing.
See the Avista programs guide for more on what Avista currently offers.
Step 4: Check Avista Programs and Washington State Incentives
Avista's electric transportation programs change over time. The most reliable way to get current information is to email electrictransportation@avistacorp.com and ask directly what's available for residential EV charger installation. They're responsive and can tell you about any current rebates, rate programs, or installation assistance.
Separately, Washington State offers a sales tax exemption on new EVs priced under $45,000. If you're buying a car and a charger in the same period, that exemption is worth knowing about and is handled at the dealership or through the Department of Revenue, not through Avista or your electrician. See the Avista programs guide for more on both state and utility incentives.
Step 5: Get Quotes from Licensed Electricians
Washington State requires electricians to be licensed through the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). This is not optional. Only an L&I-licensed electrician can legally pull the permit for your install. Ask every contractor directly: Are you licensed through Washington L&I? Will you pull the City of Spokane permit?
A complete quote covers labor, materials, permit fee, and conduit. For a typical attached garage in Spokane, expect $300 to $650. The South Hill's hilly lots and some older neighborhoods with long conduit runs can push costs higher. See what to ask before hiring an installer for the full list.
Step 6: Schedule Installation
Plan for a half-day block. Attached garage installs typically take 2 to 4 hours. Tell your electrician in advance where you park and where you'd like the charger on the wall. If your panel is on the opposite side of the house from the garage, mention it so they can plan the conduit route and price accurately.
Good Spokane electricians book out a week or more, especially through spring and summer. Schedule once you've picked your charger and confirmed you'll be home for the installation day.
Step 7: Your Electrician Pulls the Permit
Washington requires an electrical permit for any new 240V circuit. If your address is in the City of Spokane, the permit comes from City of Spokane Development Services. If you're in unincorporated Spokane County (Cheney, Deer Park, Airway Heights, and most rural areas have separate jurisdictions), your electrician files with the correct authority. They know which applies and handle it automatically.
Only Washington L&I-licensed electricians can pull electrical permits in Washington State. If a contractor claims they can do the work without a permit or without L&I licensing, walk away. Permits typically run $50 to $150.
Step 8: Pass the Electrical Inspection
After installation, your electrician schedules an inspection. The inspector checks circuit sizing (50 amps), wiring to NEC standards, GFCI protection, and charger mounting. The inspection itself is 15 to 30 minutes. Getting on the schedule in Spokane typically takes 2 to 5 business days.
Your electrician handles scheduling and any re-inspection if something minor needs correcting. You need to be home during the window.
Step 9: Submit Any Avista Rebate or Incentive
If Avista has a current rebate or incentive program when you install, follow their specific submission instructions. Contact electrictransportation@avistacorp.com to get the current process. Avista programs can have deadlines, so submit promptly after your installation is complete and inspected.
If you checked with Avista before installing and there was nothing available at the time, keep an eye on their website. New programs launch periodically, sometimes without much fanfare.
Step 10: Enroll in Avista EV Rate Options
Avista offers rate options for residential customers that include off-peak pricing. Contact Avista directly to ask what EV-specific rate plans are available and how to enroll. Overnight charging during off-peak hours typically costs less per kWh than daytime charging.
Once you know the off-peak hours, configure your EV's charging timer or your smart charger's app to charge during that window. It takes about 10 minutes to set up and the savings accumulate automatically from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually 2 to 3 weeks. A few days for quotes, a week or more to get on a licensed electrician's schedule, then 2 to 5 business days for the inspection. The install is half a day. Total elapsed time is typically 2 to 3 weeks from first call.
The Washington state sales tax exemption is primarily for the EV vehicle purchase, not the charger hardware. It applies to new vehicles priced under $45,000. The charger and installation are separate purchases. Contact Washington Department of Revenue or a tax preparer for details on your specific situation.
Possibly, but it depends on their licensing. Electrical licensing is state-specific. A Washington L&I-licensed electrician can only pull permits in Washington. For an Idaho address, you'd need an Idaho-licensed electrician. Some contractors hold licenses in both states, so it's worth asking.