TCA Electric Completed the Full Scope of This Level 3 EV Charger Installation
As Vancouver’s leading EV charging experts, our team at TCA Electric is a top choice for in-depth charging installation projects. For today’s Project Spotlight, we’re sharing a rare installation of a Level 3 EV charger, located at the Xwemélch’stn Etsimxwawtxw (Capilano Little Ones School), located on Squamish Nation land within North Vancouver.
This installation involved the full scope of our team’s abilities, including not just electrical work but planning out the contracting work that included trenching and concrete. Overall, our team delivered superior quality work, and we were glad to partner with the Squamish Nation once more.
Background & Client: The Squamish Nation & ChargeFWD 
For this project, we worked once more with the Squamish Nation, a regular client of ours for 15 years who we’re always happy to partner with. We’ve completed various projects for them during that time, most notably the Mosquito Creek Marina project over the course of 10 years.
The Squamish Nation had partnered with ChargeFWD, an EV charging consulting company, as they hoped to install a Level 3 EV charger to support a new electric school bus. A Level 3 EV charger was necessary in this case, as the bus would need to operate both before and after school, with a relatively narrow window to recharge between uses.
When they determined they’d need a specialist electrician to complete the project, the Squamish Nation was quick to recommend our services, and the TCA Electric team agreed to help with the installation.
Planning a Level 3 EV Charger Installation
The new Level 3 EV charger was to be installed in the carpark outside the school. This meant our team would need to run electrical cable from the designated parking spot for the school bus and into the electrical room within the main school building.
Our team planned carefully to ensure the installation would not be an eyesore on the school. The cable could be run underneath the carpark, but it would need to be aboveground between the carpark and the electrical room. That meant we would need to devise a cost-effective solution with minimal disruption to the building itself.
Carrying Out the Project 
With a plan in place, our team got to work. We pulled permitting, including an electrical permit from Technical Safety BC, then set about coordinating the subcontractors who would be needed to assist with the excavation of the carpark.
Overall, the trenching portion went off without a hitch, though we did encounter river rock and other material that we needed to dispose of offsite for environmental reasons.
When it came to the aboveground cabling, we found that the most cost-effective solution would be to run the cable high along the outside of the building until it entered the electrical room. The EV charger was then installed on a large concrete pad our team made for the project. Bollards were also added in front of the charger to protect from vehicle damage.
A Full Team Effort
This project required all of our know-how as licensed and qualified electricians—including some general contracting project management. Brad Pace took the lead role as project manager, communicating with the client and facilitating the subtrades we worked with for the trenching and excavation. Michael Malihan was the foreman and apprentice Scott Coben supported him to get the job done right.
The end result was a professionally installed level 3 EV charger that would enable this school to fully electrify their bussing, charging it quickly and efficiently for use before and after school.
TCA Electric: Professional Level 3 EV Charger Installation in Vancouver 
Level 3 EV charging stations are less commonly installed than Level 2—but for commercial charging needs with shorter turnaround times, they’re sometimes the only option.
At TCA Electric, we’ve made it our mission to be Vancouver’s leading experts in EV charging technologies. This includes expertise in Level 3 EV charger installation, with our licensed and qualified electricians dedicated to superior quality and service across each project.
Whether you’re looking to electrify an entire fleet or provide charging for just a few vehicles, Level 3 charging is the most powerful charging option available. Our team at TCA Electric can help you plan your project, ensure you’re taking advantage of all available rebate options, and deliver long-lasting solutions. Reach out to us today to get started!
