EV charger installs: Article 625, the load calc, load management, permits, and the California readiness rules
In one paragraph
The Level 2 charger is the most requested new circuit in California, and it is a load-calculation job first: the 2023 edition counts every EVSE at 7,200 volt-amperes or its nameplate, whichever is larger, which is what pushes a full 100-amp house over the line. Then Article 625: an individual branch circuit, an overcurrent device at 125 percent of the charger's continuous load (a 48-amp hardwired unit needs a 60-amp breaker and 6 AWG copper), GFCI protection on any receptacle installed for a plug-in charger, and the option the code gives you when the service is tight, a listed energy management system that caps the charger under 625.42. The permit is a nondiscretionary building permit by state law; the California readiness rules say what new houses already have in the wall.
The rule
Electric vehicle supply equipment is counted in the load calculation at 7,200 volt-amperes or its nameplate rating, whichever is larger (2025 CEC 220.57); each EVSE outlet is supplied by an individual branch circuit with no other outlets (625.40); the overcurrent device is sized at not less than 125 percent of the EVSE's maximum load (625.41); the circuit may be sized to the setting of a listed energy management system (625.42); receptacles installed for EVSE need GFCI protection (625.54); and new-construction EV charging must also meet CALGreen Chapter 4, Division 4.1 (625.1.1). A city or county must approve an EV charging station through a nondiscretionary permit (Gov. Code 65850.7(b)).
Why it matters
An EV circuit is a two-hour job when the service has room and a $6,000 conversation when it does not, and the customer usually finds out which one they have after they bought the car. Doing the 220 calc first and knowing the 625.42 load-management option lets you give a real answer at the door, and the 125 percent breaker rule is the one inspectors check on every one of these.