What It Really Takes to Build EV Infrastructure

2025.09.30

When you look at a new EV charging installation, it’s easy to see the chargers, the signage, and the parking spaces. What you don’t see are the countless details behind the scenes that make it all possible.

We recently transformed a downtown Toronto University surface parking lot into a functional EV charging hub. While it may look like a straightforward project, one detail tells a bigger story: the pole.

Prefer watching to reading?

Watch as Mark Marmer walks you through what looks to be a simple EV charger install, but looks can be deceiving.

 

Why the Pole Mattered

The original pole in the parking lot was only meant for temporary service. That worked for basic needs like lighting, but powering EV chargers required something more reliable.

Replacing that pole set off a chain reaction of coordination:

  • Working with Toronto Hydro for disconnection and reconnection
  • Scheduling inspections with the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA)
  • Organizing contractors for site work
  • Arranging campus security during downtime

Each step required precise timing and communication. In fact, dozens of emails and multiple site visits went into ensuring the transition happened smoothly and safely.

Building for the Future

The result? A clean, reliable, and protected EV charging station that TMU students, staff, and visitors can count on. From protective bumpers to cable retractors, every detail was designed with safety, usability, and longevity in mind.

What looks like a small upgrade is actually a lesson in what makes EV infrastructure work: planning, expertise, and the ability to connect many moving parts. At Signature Electric, that’s our specialty. We do more than install chargers. We create sustainable, future-focused solutions that power what’s next.

Subscribe to The Electric Blog for the latest on electric mobility and the future of EV charging.


Comments