Do I need a permit for an EV charger install?

Yes. Every Orlando-area jurisdiction requires an electrical permit for a Level 2 (240V) EV charger circuit, and the installing contractor must be state-licensed (EC) or local-registered (ER) for your address. The permit covers wire sizing, breaker selection, and grounding — all of which affect fire safety.

Do I need a whole-home generator or a portable will do?

It depends on what you actually need to power and for how long. Portable generators (with an interlock kit installed by a licensed electrician) handle a few critical circuits for short outages. Permanently installed standby generators with automatic transfer switches power the whole house and start themselves — typical for medical equipment, well pumps, or extended hurricane outages.

What's wrong with Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels?

Both are legacy panel brands known to fail to trip under fault conditions, which is a documented fire risk. Many home inspectors will flag them and some insurers in Florida will refuse to write a policy until the panel is replaced. A licensed electrician can confirm what you have and quote a proper replacement.

Electrical Contractors in Orlando, FL

Electrical

Super Fast Electric

★ 5.0 (251 reviews)

1070 Bunnell Rd B2, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

Electrical

Apex Electrical Solutions, LLC

★ 5.0 (12 reviews)

299 Live Oaks Blvd, Casselberry, FL 32707

Electrical

Smart Home Electric Services Orlando

★ 5.0 (6 reviews)

6549 Old Winter Garden Rd, Orlando, FL 32835

Electrical

The Price Is Right Electrical Services LLC

★ 5.0 (21 reviews)

1762 Clarcona Rd, Apopka, FL 32703

Electrical

Enterprise Solutions

★ 5.0 (4 reviews)

2000 Platinum Rd, Apopka, FL 32703

Electrical

Brightside Electric LLC

★ 5.0 (23 reviews)

Electrical

WattEdge Electric

★ 5.0 (3 reviews)

7065 Westpointe Blvd STE 310, Orlando, FL 32835

Electrical

Mat4Electric

★ 5.0 (4 reviews)

9357 Jaywood Rd, Winter Garden, FL 34787

Electrical

Ocoee Electrician

★ 5.0 (1 review)

Electrical

FRED Electrical Residential Services

★ 5.0 (39 reviews)

6452 Vineland Rd unit 106, Orlando, FL 32819

Electrical

All Around Electric

★ 5.0 (45 reviews)

1317 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, FL 32804

Electrical

Lakeway Electrical Services

★ 5.0 (26 reviews)

Electrical

Orion Electric, Inc. – Orlando Electricians

★ 5.0 (2 reviews)

Electrical

Executive Power Solutions

★ 5.0 (12 reviews)

519 E 12th St, Apopka, FL 32703

Electrical

MTK Electric Inc

★ 5.0 (145 reviews)

1881 Lee Rd, Winter Park, FL 32789

Electrical

Elite Electric Sanford

★ 5.0 (5 reviews)

2290-2298 W Airport Blvd Unit 144, Sanford, FL 32771

Electrical

Robinson E. Electric, LLC

★ 5.0 (86 reviews)

Electrical

Fast Forward Electric LLC

★ 5.0 (53 reviews)

8102 Glenlloyd Ave, Winter Garden, FL 34787

Electrical

Farina Electric, Inc.

★ 5.0 (6 reviews)

2622 Taft Ave, Orlando, FL 32804

Electrical

JPOWER ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS INC.

★ 5.0 (1 review)

1542 Matador Dr, Gotha, FL 34734

Electrical

R. Howe Electric Inc

★ 5.0 (53 reviews)

1117 W Airport Blvd, Sanford, FL 32773

Electrical

ST Electric Services

★ 5.0 (69 reviews)

Electrical

JL Electrical Service Contractor Corp

★ 5.0 (78 reviews)

1520 Ree Ln, Kissimmee, FL 34741

Electrical

JTL Electric LLC

★ 5.0 (19 reviews)

Electrical

Sanford Electrical Contractors

★ 5.0 (1 review)

Electrical

Quantum Force Electric LLC

★ 5.0 (137 reviews)

Electrical

Forthright Electric Co Inc

★ 5.0 (2 reviews)

60 Cotillion Ct, Casselberry, FL 32707

Electrical

Coastal Electric

★ 5.0 (11 reviews)

520 Kilshore Ln, Winter Park, FL 32789

Electrical

Percopo Electric

★ 5.0 (36 reviews)

7028 Betty St, Winter Park, FL 32792

Electrical

Illumina Electric LLC

★ 5.0 (10 reviews)

2721 Forsyth Rd Suite 258, Winter Park, FL 32792

Electrical

JTL Electric LLC

★ 5.0 (21 reviews)

Electrical

Mr. Electric of Winter Park

★ 5.0 (263 reviews)

Electrical

Flow Evolution Plumbing and Heating LLC

★ 5.0 (15 reviews)

Electrical

Orlando Electrician Guys

★ 5.0 (14 reviews)

2410 Reading Dr, Orlando, FL 32804

Electrical

Strong Tower Electrical Contractor

★ 5.0 (122 reviews)

Electrical

Mr. Electric of Kissimmee

★ 5.0 (20 reviews)

5245 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy #7, Kissimmee, FL 34746

Electrical

Control Electric Services Inc

★ 5.0 (10 reviews)

564 Cooper Oaks Ct, Apopka, FL 32703

Electrical

Premium Electric

★ 5.0 (29 reviews)

12250 Menta St # 105, Orlando, FL 32837

Electrical

Jacob Electric LLC

★ 5.0 (13 reviews)

5401 S Kirkman Rd Suite 310, Orlando, FL 32819

Electrical

OPTIMISM ELECTRIC Inc.

★ 5.0 (37 reviews)

Electrical

Boys Electrical Contractors

★ 5.0 (2 reviews)

511 Dauntless Pt, Sanford, FL 32771

Electrical

Greenway Electrical Services

★ 5.0 (9 reviews)

2718 Pemberton Dr, Apopka, FL 32703

Electrical

JCK Electric, Inc.

★ 5.0 (16 reviews)

1900 Evergreen Ct, Kissimmee, FL 34746

Electrical

AeroTek Electrical Services LLC

★ 5.0 (33 reviews)

2582 Maguire Rd SUITE 242, Ocoee, FL 34761

Electrical

Bright Ideas Electrical Solutions LLC

★ 5.0 (209 reviews)

Electrical

WEST ORANGE ELECTRIC

★ 5.0 (20 reviews)

Electrical

Gashi Plumbing Heating & Sewer LLC

★ 5.0 (112 reviews)

Electrical

JCD Electric

★ 5.0 (138 reviews)

255 Primera Blvd, Lake Mary, FL 32746

Electrical

Lenhart Electric

★ 5.0 (1 review)

3470 Maggie Blvd, Orlando, FL 32811

Electrical

High Power Electrical Services, Inc

★ 5.0 (44 reviews)

Electrical

Smartron Electric

★ 5.0 (255 reviews)

2433 Lee Rd, Winter Park, FL 32789

Electrical

Austen Electrical Solutions Llc

★ 5.0 (149 reviews)

Electrical

Skolfield Electrical

★ 5.0 (4 reviews)

904 Railroad Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

Electrical

Gutielectric Services

★ 5.0 (26 reviews)

4362 Fox Glen Loop, Kissimmee, FL 34746

Electrical

SUMATIME ELECTRIC LLC

★ 5.0 (10 reviews)

919 W Sumner St, Kissimmee, FL 34741

Electrical

H & M Electrical & Underground

★ 5.0 (2 reviews)

2551 W Orange Blossom Trail, Apopka, FL 32712

Electrical

Winter Park Rescue Electric, Llc

★ 5.0 (5 reviews)

Electrical

Pete the Plumber

★ 5.0 (40 reviews)

Electrical

Mr. Electric of Winter Garden

★ 5.0 (994 reviews)

Electrical

United Electrical Sales Florida

★ 5.0 (5 reviews)

4496 36th St, Orlando, FL 32811

Electrical

Bella Electric INC.

★ 5.0 (3 reviews)

3500 Aloma Forsyth Center, Winter Park, FL 32792

Electrical

VoltIQ Electrical Contractor

★ 5.0 (189 reviews)

734 Stonewyk Way, Kissimmee, FL 34744

Electrical

Emery Electrical Solutions Inc.

★ 5.0 (9 reviews)

1630 Thoroughbred Dr, Gotha, FL 34734

Electrical

Aaron's Electrical Works Inc

★ 5.0 (1 review)

5065 Ohio Ave, Sanford, FL 32771

Electrical

GNH Electric

★ 5.0 (17 reviews)

Electrical

Electrical Partners Of Central Florida LLC.

★ 5.0 (2 reviews)

510 Douglas Ave suite 1017, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

Electrical

OhmVolt

★ 5.0 (40 reviews)

182 Willow Ave, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

Electrical

Birket Engineering, Inc.

★ 5.0 (7 reviews)

162 W Plant St, Winter Garden, FL 34787

Electrical

Strive Electric LLC

★ 5.0 (7 reviews)

Electrical

On Time Electrical Services Apopka

★ 5.0 (1 review)

941-951 S Orange Blossom Trail #123, Apopka, FL 32703

Electrical

Altamonte Electrical Contractors LLC

★ 5.0 (1 review)

110 Candlewick Rd, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

Electrical

Bright Path Electric LLC

★ 5.0 (39 reviews)

Electrical

Fluff Electrician Co.

★ 5.0 (4 reviews)

631 N Orlando Ave, Maitland, FL 32751

Electrical

JCA Electrical Services

★ 5.0 (32 reviews)

845 Don Jean Ln, Orlando, FL 32825

Electrical

Bela Tech Electrical Contractor LLC

★ 5.0 (216 reviews)

Whisper Lakes Blvd, Orlando, FL 32837

Electrical

Divine Power and Light Services LLC

★ 5.0 (31 reviews)

259 Domus Ln, Casselberry, FL 32707

Electrical

Nominal Voltage Contractors

★ 4.9 (131 reviews)

200 E Robinson St Suite 1120, Orlando, FL 32801

Electrical

Cypher Electric

★ 4.9 (104 reviews)

830 John Young Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL 34741

Electrical

Armstrong Air & Electric

★ 4.9 (2,344 reviews)

671 Business Park Blvd, Winter Garden, FL 34787

Electrical

CNI Electric, Inc

★ 4.9 (57 reviews)

1490 Seminola Blvd, Casselberry, FL 32707

Electrical

Central Florida Electrician

★ 4.9 (122 reviews)

243 N Texas Ave, Orlando, FL 32805

Electrical

Navtek Electrical Corp

★ 4.9 (163 reviews)

52 Riley Rd Suite 392, Kissimmee, FL 34747

Electrical

DH Electric

★ 4.9 (74 reviews)

3499 Seagrape Dr, Winter Park, FL 32792

Electrical

A. Johnson Plumbing & Heating, Inc.

★ 4.9 (115 reviews)

Electrical

UP & Down Electrical Services LLC EC#13014809

★ 4.9 (69 reviews)

452 Osceola St #201, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701

Electrical

Mr. Electric of Orlando

★ 4.9 (295 reviews)

3700 34th St Suite 100B, Orlando, FL 32805

Electrical

AC DC Statewide Electric, Inc.

★ 4.9 (37 reviews)

5048 Tinkham Ave, Orlando, FL 32812

Electrical

Optimal Electric Inc

★ 4.9 (25 reviews)

2010 Marquette Ave, Sanford, FL 32773

Electrical

Finger Lakes Power Systems

★ 4.9 (138 reviews)

Electrical

All Electric Services

★ 4.9 (1,560 reviews)

104 Commerce St, Lake Mary, FL 32746

Electrical

H2O Plumbing Services

★ 4.9 (55 reviews)

Electrical

Pro Electrical Service

★ 4.9 (48 reviews)

1750 West Broadway Street #112, Oviedo, FL 32765

Electrical

Classes4contractors

★ 4.9 (191 reviews)

13750 W Colonial Dr Suite 350, Winter Garden, FL 34787

Electrical

Nick's Electrical LLC

★ 4.9 (117 reviews)

35 Drennen Rd, Orlando, FL 32806

Electrical

All Phases Electrical Contracting

★ 4.9 (104 reviews)

427 Gaston Foster Rd suite i, Orlando, FL 32807

Electrical

Quality Solutions Electrical Contracting LLC

★ 4.9 (37 reviews)

Electrical

Wind River Environmental

★ 4.9 (995 reviews)

Electrical

All Services Electric

★ 4.9 (30 reviews)

239 N Hunt Club Blvd Ste. 102, Wekiwa Springs, FL 32779

Electrical

Super Fast Electric

★ 4.9 (644 reviews)

234 W Marvin Ave #112, Longwood, FL 32750

Electrical

Florida Electrical Services & Contracting

★ 4.9 (414 reviews)

Electrical

Sentry Electric, Inc.

★ 4.8 (11 reviews)

1313 28th St, Orlando, FL 32805

Electrical

Drain-Away Sewer & Drain Services

★ 4.8 (67 reviews)

Electrical

In Phaze Electric Inc.

★ 4.8 (768 reviews)

2200 N Forsyth Rd, Orlando, FL 32807

Electrical

M.R. Stoner Electric, Inc.

★ 4.8 (129 reviews)

3216 Hawkins Ave, Sanford, NC 27330

Electrical

Maddox Electric Co Inc

★ 4.8 (25 reviews)

710 Garden Commerce Pkwy, Winter Garden, FL 34787

Electrical

M Fernandez electrical services llc

★ 4.8 (21 reviews)

2940 Dana Ln, Kissimmee, FL 34744

Electrical

Xenon Electrical Contractor, LLC

★ 4.8 (18 reviews)

5252 Sunset Canyon Dr, Kissimmee, FL 34758

Electrical

Shalonda’s Electrical Service LLC

★ 4.8 (57 reviews)

75 Austin Farm Ln, Sanford, NC 27332

Electrical

Premier Power, Inc.

★ 4.8 (425 reviews)

Electrical

D'NOVO Services, LLC

★ 4.8 (6 reviews)

331 Oleander Way Suite 1011, Casselberry, FL 32707

Electrical

Brite Electric, Air Conditioning & Heating

★ 4.8 (153 reviews)

2036 Sprint Blvd #11, Apopka, FL 32703

Electrical

Happy Home 24/7 Electricians

★ 4.8 (139 reviews)

750 S Orange Blossom Trl suite 104, Orlando, FL 32805

Electrical

Mister Sparky

★ 4.8 (3,780 reviews)

2180 Premier Row Suite A, Orlando, FL 32809

Electrical

Trinity Electrical Contractors Inc

★ 4.8 (20 reviews)

Electrical

Doc Watts Electric, Inc

★ 4.8 (222 reviews)

2306 N Forsyth Rd, Orlando, FL 32807

Electrical

Inca Electric

★ 4.8 (51 reviews)

856 Sunshine Ln, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

Electrical

Michael's Lighting & Electric

★ 4.8 (95 reviews)

2251 Lynx Ln Suite 9, Orlando, FL 32804

Electrical

Spectrum Electric Inc.

★ 4.8 (26 reviews)

1231 Seminola Blvd, Casselberry, FL 32707

Electrical

Wheeler Heating & Cooling

★ 4.7 (63 reviews)

Electrical

Solaris Electric

★ 4.7 (535 reviews)

4353 Edgewater Dr #100, Orlando, FL 32804

Electrical

City Electric Supply Altamonte Springs

★ 4.7 (49 reviews)

1020 Sunshine Ln, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

Electrical

J. Smith Electric, inc.

★ 4.7 (13 reviews)

Electrical

GEID Mechanical

★ 4.7 (14 reviews)

Electrical

Main Line Electrical Contractors

★ 4.7 (33 reviews)

722 Commerce Cir, Longwood, FL 32750

Electrical

Landfair Electric and Paint Inc

★ 4.7 (24 reviews)

Electrical

IRK Electrical Services

★ 4.6 (70 reviews)

Electrical

Franky's Electric

★ 4.6 (23 reviews)

Electrical

Optimism Electric

★ 4.6 (8 reviews)

2400 Chateau Lp, Kissimmee, FL 34741

Electrical

Mister Sparky®

★ 4.6 (854 reviews)

4301 Vineland Rd E-3, Orlando, FL 32811

Electrical

TLC Electric Inc

★ 4.6 (96 reviews)

2830 S Mellonville Ave, Sanford, FL 32773

Electrical

Bright Future Electric

★ 4.6 (35 reviews)

630 Maguire Rd, Ocoee, FL 34761

Electrical

Territo Electric, Inc.

★ 4.6 (27 reviews)

441 Enterprise St, Ocoee, FL 34761

Electrical

R & L Power Solutions LLC

★ 4.6 (21 reviews)

Electrical

Switch Phase Electrical

★ 4.6 (29 reviews)

133 Concord Dr #1001, Casselberry, FL 32707

Electrical

S E Dollen LLC

★ 4.6 (11 reviews)

211 E Bay St, Winter Garden, FL 34787

Electrical

A-Lumination Electric

★ 4.5 (275 reviews)

658 Douglas Ave #1112, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

Electrical

Prime Electrical Services, Inc.

★ 4.5 (17 reviews)

550 Holts Lake Ct Ste 101, Apopka, FL 32703

Electrical

West Orange Electric

★ 4.5 (8 reviews)

326 Pacheco Ct, Ocoee, FL 34761

Electrical

City Electric Supply Sanford FL

★ 4.5 (35 reviews)

2913 S Orlando Dr #600, Sanford, FL 32773

Electrical

Y2K Electrical Systems Inc

★ 4.5 (19 reviews)

959 Explorer Cove, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701

Electrical

Super Bright Services

★ 4.5 (35 reviews)

13537 Granville Avenue Suite 6, Clermont, FL 34711-7167

Electrical

ABE's Electric, Inc.

★ 4.5 (69 reviews)

1004 Royal St, Kissimmee, FL 34744

Electrical

Altech Electric of Central Florida, Inc

★ 4.5 (97 reviews)

7224 Chancery Ln, Orlando, FL 32809

Electrical

Strada Services

★ 4.4 (47 reviews)

12792 W Colonial Dr Suite Ste 140, Winter Garden, FL 34787

Electrical

Tri-City Electrical Contractors Inc.

★ 4.4 (79 reviews)

430 West Dr, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

Electrical

Hicks Electric

★ 4.4 (15 reviews)

1005 Orienta Ave, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701

Electrical

Assure Electrical Orlando

★ 4.4 (7 reviews)

4502 35th St #122, Orlando, FL 32811

Electrical

SANFORD ELECTRIC

★ 4.4 (62 reviews)

320 Gordon St, Sanford, FL 32771

Electrical

Surprise Electric

★ 4.4 (11 reviews)

Electrical

Royal Electric Co-Central

★ 4.4 (5 reviews)

645 Newburyport Ave, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701

Electrical

Synergy Electrical Systems Inc

★ 4.4 (14 reviews)

370 Cooper Palms Pkwy, Apopka, FL 32703

Electrical

Morton Electric, Inc.

★ 4.3 (17 reviews)

3625 W 1st St, Sanford, FL 32771

Electrical

Palmer Electric Company

★ 4.3 (172 reviews)

875 Jackson Ave #100, Winter Park, FL 32789

Electrical

Miller Electric Company

★ 4.3 (13 reviews)

528 Northlake Blvd #1024, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701

Electrical

Schwenn Services & Contracting

★ 4.3 (12 reviews)

48 N Woodland St, Winter Garden, FL 34787

Electrical

City Electric Supply Orlando West

★ 4.2 (40 reviews)

850 Maguire Rd, Ocoee, FL 34761

Electrical

Carter Electric Inc.

★ 4.2 (15 reviews)

450 Marshall Lake Rd, Apopka, FL 32703

Electrical

Raymer Electric INC.

★ 4.1 (7 reviews)

D-35, 3500 Aloma Ave, Winter Park, FL 32792

Electrical

Terry's Electric Inc.

★ 4.1 (154 reviews)

600 N Thacker Ave, Kissimmee, FL 34741

Electrical

Pride Electric of Central Florida Inc

★ 3.9 (19 reviews)

810 Second St, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701

Electrical

Ste Electrical Systems Inc

★ 3.9 (9 reviews)

1139 Ocoee Apopka Rd #9201, Apopka, FL 32703

Electrical

Prestige Electric Co-Florida

★ 3.9 (68 reviews)

7423 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32809

Electrical

K&K Electric, LLC

★ 3.9 (43 reviews)

645 Voltage Wy, Sanford, FL 32773

Electrical

JD Electrical Contractors

★ 3.8 (13 reviews)

1045 N Ronald Reagan Blvd, Longwood, FL 32750

Electrical

United Electrical Contractors Inc

★ 3.8 (10 reviews)

744 S Rossiter St, Mt Dora, FL 32757

Electrical

Try-Cor Electric Inc

★ 3.8 (21 reviews)

3463 Cedar Rapids Way, Orlando, FL 32811

Electrical

State Electric Co Inc

★ 3.7 (11 reviews)

2770 Apopka Blvd, Apopka, FL 32703

Electrical

Maximo of Central Florida

★ 3.7 (3 reviews)

Electrical

Statewide Electric Inc

★ 3.6 (8 reviews)

217 W 4th St, Apopka, FL 32703

Electrical

Cable Electrical Services Inc

★ 3.3 (12 reviews)

127 Semoran Commerce Pl, Apopka, FL 32703

Electrical

Electric Service Group, LLC

★ 3.2 (5 reviews)

1010 Bunnell Rd, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

Electrical

Quinco Electrical Inc

★ 3.2 (77 reviews)

4224 Metric Dr, Winter Park, FL 32792

Electrical

Hickey Electric Incorporated

★ 2.4 (11 reviews)

1307 Green Forest Ct #106, Winter Garden, FL 34787

Electrical

Solazzo Electrical Contractors

★ 1.0 (2 reviews)

1331 Green Forest Ct # 5, Winter Garden, FL 34787

Electrical

Premiere Electric Orlando

1511 Seminola Blvd #1089, Casselberry, FL 32707

Hiring a electrical contractor in the Orlando metro area

Hiring an electrical contractor in the Orlando metro area covers everything from panel upgrades and EV charger installs to whole-home generator hookups, ceiling fan replacements, and post-storm service restoration. The directory below lists active electrical contractors so you can compare and verify before you commit.

Many older Orlando-area homes still have 100A or even 60A panels that are undersized for today's loads (EV chargers, induction ranges, multi-zone AC), and a proper electrical contractor will quote a panel upgrade with the right utility coordination rather than just adding circuits to a maxed-out box.

How to verify a electrical contractor's license in Florida

Look for license type: EC — Certified Electrical Contractor

Go to myfloridalicense.com, the official Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) portal, and use "Verify a License." Search by the contractor's business name, the qualifier's individual name, or the license number itself. Confirm the license type is "EC — Certified Electrical Contractor," the status reads "Current, Active," the expiration date is in the future, and there is no disciplinary or complaint history attached to the record.

"EC" is the statewide certification issued by the Florida Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board (a separate board from DBPR's CILB, but visible through the same myfloridalicense.com search). You may also see "ER" — registered electrical contractor, limited to specific local jurisdictions.

Verify a license at myfloridalicense.com →

Why verifying matters in Florida

Florida law (§ 489.127, F.S.) makes it a third-degree felony to contract without a license on a project valued at $5,000 or more, or any size project during a declared state of emergency. Verifying licensure before you sign a contract is the single most important step you can take to protect your home and your deposit. Central Florida's hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, and unlicensed storm-chasing crews routinely move through Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties after a major event. Confirming an active state license — and an in-state business address you can actually drive to — keeps you out of that risk pool. Electrical work hidden inside walls won't reveal a bad installation until something fails — which is exactly why Florida requires permits, inspections, and a state license.

Questions to ask before you hire

Are you pulling the electrical permit and scheduling the inspection in your license?
If this involves the panel or service, will you coordinate the utility disconnect/reconnect with Duke, OUC, or KUA?
Will the work bring affected circuits up to current National Electrical Code (NEC) and Florida amendments, including AFCI/GFCI where required?
What is your warranty on parts and labor, in writing?
Is this a flat quote, or time-and-materials? If T&M, what is the cap?

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for an EV charger install?: Yes. Every Orlando-area jurisdiction requires an electrical permit for a Level 2 (240V) EV charger circuit, and the installing contractor must be state-licensed (EC) or local-registered (ER) for your address. The permit covers wire sizing, breaker selection, and grounding — all of which affect fire safety.
Do I need a whole-home generator or a portable will do?: It depends on what you actually need to power and for how long. Portable generators (with an interlock kit installed by a licensed electrician) handle a few critical circuits for short outages. Permanently installed standby generators with automatic transfer switches power the whole house and start themselves — typical for medical equipment, well pumps, or extended hurricane outages.
What's wrong with Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels?: Both are legacy panel brands known to fail to trip under fault conditions, which is a documented fire risk. Many home inspectors will flag them and some insurers in Florida will refuse to write a policy until the panel is replaced. A licensed electrician can confirm what you have and quote a proper replacement.