How Long Does EV Charger Installation Take?
The installation itself is half a day. The permit and inspection process around it adds a few days to the full timeline. Enrolling in KUB's Time of Use rate afterward takes a phone call, no deadline attached.
A Level 2 EV charger installation in an attached Knoxville garage takes 2 to 4 hours of actual work. Plan for a half-day block with your electrician. The permit process happens before work starts, and the inspection follows after. Together those add several days to the full timeline, but none of it requires much from you.
Full Timeline Overview
| Step | Typical Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Get quotes and schedule | 2 to 5 days | Quality Knoxville electricians book a few days out |
| Permit pulled by electrician | 1 to 3 business days | City of Knoxville Codes and Building Safety |
| Actual installation | 2 to 4 hours | Full day for panel upgrades or detached garages |
| Electrical inspection | 2 to 5 days to schedule, 30 min to complete | Electrician handles scheduling |
| Enroll in KUB's TOU rate | A phone call, anytime after install | Call (865) 524-2911 or visit kub.org/ev |
What Extends the Installation Time
Panel upgrade
If your home has a 100-amp panel, common in older Knoxville neighborhoods like Fourth and Gill, Parkridge, Fountain City, and parts of West Knoxville built before 1985, a 50-amp EV circuit may not be feasible without a panel upgrade. Upgrading adds 3 to 5 hours of work, sometimes split across two days if KUB needs to disconnect power at the meter. See the panel upgrade guide for what to expect.
Detached garage
Running conduit underground from the main panel to a detached garage takes significantly more labor than a short run through an attached garage wall. Budget for a full day, and expect the total cost to be higher than a simple attached garage job.
Long conduit runs
If your panel is on the far side of the house from the garage, say, a utility room at the back of the house while the garage is at the front, the electrician has more conduit to run. Through attic space or along exterior walls, each additional 20 feet adds time and material cost.
Enrolling in KUB's Time of Use Rate
Unlike the old rebate, which had a firm deadline, KUB's Time of Use rate has no clock to watch. Enroll the week after installation or six months later, it doesn't matter. Here's the sequence that makes sense:
- Get quotes. Line up your electrician before you buy the charger.
- Buy the charger and schedule installation.
- Get installed and pass inspection.
- Call KUB at (865) 524-2911 or visit kub.org/ev to enroll in the Time of Use rate for EV owners.
There's no reason to put it off. It's a quick call and it lowers your bill for as long as you keep charging overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally yes. The electrician needs access to your panel and garage, and may have questions during the job. Plan for a half-day block and stay available. You can be home without supervising every step.
Some Knoxville electricians can get same-day permits for straightforward EV installs, but it's not guaranteed. Ask when you get quotes, some prefer to pull the permit a day in advance. Either way, work can't start until the permit is issued.
The city inspection itself takes 15 to 30 minutes once the inspector arrives. Scheduling typically takes 2 to 5 business days after installation. Your electrician schedules it, you don't need to contact the city yourself.
No. There's no deadline tied to KUB's Time of Use rate, so a panel upgrade doesn't cost you anything there. Enroll whenever your charger is installed and passing inspection, whether that's the same week or later.
Want the full picture from start to finish? See our complete installation roadmap.