An estimated 80% of EV charging occurs at home or work. EV drivers naturally plug their vehicles in at places where they spend the most time. Installing a home EV charger is relatively simple, however, it’s different for those living in condominiums. The sheer scope of the project is daunting. Along with construction permits, you’ll also need consent from the complex owner or management. Don’t forget about finding the answers to the various technical questions.

However, we’re here to help both building owners and tenants navigate the EV charger installation process.

Enabling EV Charging in Condominiums

Why do you need EV chargers at your condo? The answer is simple. You can charge your EV while you’re home. For EV drivers, convenience and decreasing range anxiety are common reasons.

Building owners can increase the property’s value, use the chargers to elevate condo rental fees and take advantage of EV charger rebates and other financial incentives. Offering EV charging can also be an additional revenue stream for the complex, and don’t forget about the environmental advantages.

Did you know that Apogee Charging Solutions specializes in MUD EV charging solutions? We also have an educational blog feed that walks you through everything you need to know. If you are ready to talk to one of our experts, you can schedule a call here.

Challenges of Installing EV Chargers in Condominiums

When you understand the challenges associated with installing EV chargers in MUD complexes, it’ll be easier for you to come up with workable solutions.

The biggest obstacle is often the hardware limitations. You may need to upgrade the complexes electrical panels to support Level 2 and Level 3 EV chargers. You’ll also need a permit from your local government to connect the charging stations to the grid. Don’t forget about the costs associated with installing, maintaining, and operating EV chargers. Often, it takes a lot of advanced planning before you can start your EV charger installation project.

Guide to Enabling EV Charging

You’ve come up with solutions to the various challenges and are ready to start your EV installation project. However, where to begin?

Here are some steps to help you get started.

Get Residents’ Approval

Chances are the building owner or manager isn’t going to agree to installing EV chargers only for one or two residents. Surveying your residents to see who owns an EV or is planning on purchasing one is a great way to determine interest levels in the project. You’ll also get an idea of how many chargers need to be installed to service every driver.

Find out if interested tenants are amendable to paying higher rent to help offset installation costs. This can help sway building owners to adopt an EV charging strategy.

Research the Building’s Electrical Capacity

After getting the other building residents onboard, the next step is checking the complex’s electrical capacity. For this, it’s best to bring in a professional electrician. The electrician will let you know if any upgrades are necessary to the electrical panel or meter. They can also provide project estimates.

If capacity is an issues, you may want to consider going with smart charging stations that offer load balancing. This can help lessen the electrical load and potentially eliminate the need for costly upgrades. Smart charging stations help to optimize energy consumption by evenly distributing electricity to all charging stations.

Adding Up the Costs

Costs for EV chargers vary depending on the type. For example, a slow Level 1 charger is noticeably less expensive than a DC fast charger (Level 3). Don’t worry, the charger provider will explain all of the purchasing costs. However, don’t forget about expenses associated with installation.

Don’t forget to research the available financial incentives in your area. Charger manufacturers, state, local, and federal governments, along with some utility providers all offer incentives to qualifying building owners.

You may be able to cover up to 50% of EV charger purchasing and installation costs.

Getting a Permit without the Hassle

Cutting through the red tape to get a permit can be frustrating and time consuming. You’ll need a permit from the city or county. A simple internet search looking for city EV permits should point you in the right direction. Your EV charger provider can also provide assistance. Apogee Charging Solutions will take care of this step for you, so you have one less challenge to meet.

Choosing the Right Charger

Your EV charger should be compatible, safe, and future proof. This means making sure the charger is capable of meeting all residents’ needs. Finding out if the charger is safe means checking its safety rating. This is a relatively easy step to accomplish. Most EV chargers have visible safety ratings so it’s not going to take a lot of time and effort.

When it comes to future proofing. Make sure the charger can adapt as new technology rolls out.

Work with a Certified Electrician

You don’t want to install the charging stations alone. Level 1 home chargers are relatively easy to install, Simply plug the unit into a compatible 120V outlet. When it comes to Level 2 and Level 3 chargers installation is a little more complicated.

The installation process involves wiring the chargers into the building’s electrical panel and the local grid. This is something you only want handled by a professional.

Deciding on a Payment Structure

Your condo complex has options when it comes to payment structure. The chargers can be for resident use only or open to the public. Residents can pay a higher rent to use the chargers or a fee. In this model, residents pay as they charge.

Opening the chargers to visitors is a great way to help offset installation costs. You can also use the charging stations to generate an extra revenue stream. The additional money can go toward improvement projects throughout the complex.

Building Owners are Seeing the Benefits of Offering EV Charging

More and more condominium owners are installing EV chargers for residents and visitors. If you’re ready to add EV charging to your complex, contact Apogee Charging Solutions. From creating a plan to installation and charger management, we can help you every step of the way.

To speak with an Apogee Charging Solutions expert about EV charging stations for your condominium, call 484-816-2076, email [email protected], or you can schedule a call that fits your needs by clicking the button below.