In today’s electrifying age, EV (electric vehicle) charging stations have emerged as indispensable amenities for condominiums and Homeowners Associations (HOAs). EV charging for condo buildings is no longer just a nice-to-have, but a need-to-have. With electric transportation witnessing an unp Contact online >>
In today’s electrifying age, EV (electric vehicle) charging stations have emerged as indispensable amenities for condominiums and Homeowners Associations (HOAs). EV charging for condo buildings is no longer just a nice-to-have, but a need-to-have. With electric transportation witnessing an unprecedented boom, it’s paramount for communities to offer easy and convenient charging solutions to residents. This article guides board members through a specialized EV charging solution tailored for condos and HOAs, accentuating its benefits and the prerequisites for successful installation and resident satisfaction.
When installing EV charging solutions in multi-unit residences, it’s not uncommon for the Condo Board or HOA to be intricately involved or take the lead in creating a solution to address these needs, necessitating a comprehensive policy. The installation process often pivots into a negotiation phase between the tenant and the HOA, during which expert advisors can provide insights into the practicality of the intended setup.
You may not find a perfect solution, but here are some goals to look for when consulting with EV charging station installers, especially when considering the cost to install EV chargers in condos. Direct-to-owner billing solutions do exist and can provide a few unique advantages as opposed to the HOA or Condominium administering its own EV Charging installation and billing program. Benefits of direct billing include:
With a surge in demand from condo buyers, this sort of approach takes some of the onus off the Board and its management and shifts the focus to those who need or want the service to be part of the path forward. One charging and energy management company that has solutions worth investigating is Wallbox. Check out their whitepaper on solutions for HOAs
A pivotal aspect of EV charging is to ensure the electricity consumed is billed to the user, preventing any communal electricity overheads. Ideally, find a solution that adopts a straightforward method known as the "meter tap." This recognized method connects directly to the unit’s main circuit at its meter, resulting in:
By harnessing the “meter tap” methodology, each installation remains exclusive to its respective unit, ensuring no financial encumbrances on the Condo Board or HOA. This means the Association does not need to install additional circuits to increase its capacity supply into the building which can save between $10,000 and $25,000 in up front installation costs alone. This procedure also offers economies of scale for labor when commissioning additional units, and streamlines permit-related expenses.
For larger communities that may contemplate EV charger installations across all parking spaces, it’s essential to realize that this may not be feasible without significant service upgrades. A more pragmatic strategy is to install a select number of chargers within the confines of the building’s existing electrical capacity. Modern chargers, capable of communicating via WIFI, can judiciously regulate charging based on real-time demand, ensuring judicious power consumption.
Considering an EV charging solution for your community? Before you contact an installer, come up with a list of desired objectives and ensure you gather:
The future is electric, and as EVs entrench themselves in our daily lives, the clamor for accessible charging stations in condos and HOAs will only grow louder. Condo EV charging is here to stay. Opting for a well-rounded, transparent, and efficient EV charging solution can herald a seamless transition for communities, steering them confidently into an electrified future. RISE Association Management is your partner in this future. Learn more about our services here and contact us at 713-936-9200 or [email protected] to discuss your needs.
Jason Delgado has nearly 20 years in association management, including risk, insurance, and financial management. Delgado has a BBA from The University of the Incarnate Word and an MBA from The University of Texas San Antonio. He was named one of Houston Business Journals'' Most Admired CEOs in 2022 as well as is a Houston Business Journal 40 under 40 Honoree.
Phone: 713.936.92003131 Eastside St Suite 130,Houston, TX 77098
Residential EV charging is 35% cheaper than charging at public EV charging stations, but EV drivers in condos might not have it easy. Condo buildings have restrictions and regulations regarding what owners can do with the infrastructure of the building, making the installation of an EV charging station more difficult, but not impossible.
Charging stations in condominiums considerably reduce driving costs while positively impacting the environment, since EV drivers in the building will be charging at lower costs while reducing their carbon footprint. If you want to learn more about the installation process of EV chargers in condo buildings, the challenges you may face, possible solutions, and more, this is the right article for you.
EV charging stations are the charging technology developed for e-mobility, which has risen in popularity in the last decade. Currently, there are 3 million electric cars on U.S. roads, and this number is expected to grow beyond 26 million by 2030, the problem is that the EV charging infrastructure in the U.S. needs to grow at a faster rate than it is currently doing so.
A possible solution to mitigate the EV charging problem is the acquisition of residential EV chargers. Houses have it easy, however, installing an EV charger at condo buildings can prove slightly more difficult. The following overview explains the steps required to enable electric vehicle charging in condominiums:
Some states require by law that HOA and condo boards meet the EV charging requests from apartment owners, but this varies between states. Considering the high number of steps, installations of EV charging for condos are bound to have a few challenges.
Challenges tenants face regarding EV charging in condos are many, including limitations in the electrical infrastructure of the building, bureaucratic issues, budget limitations, and more.
Condo buildings should have installed high-capacity EV chargers, considering the high number of apartment owners living in the place. Single-phase chargers demand around 32 amps per phase, delivering 7.4 kW, and some like the CSE1 can reach up to 11.5kW. There are also three-phase chargers that can deliver up to 22 kW.
The electrical capacity of service panels in parking areas or in old buildings might be fairly limited, which is why they might have to be upgraded to fit several chargers. Alternative options such as the EVMC can facilitate this process by enabling the use of existing electrical capacity without requiring expensive upgrades.
The cost to install a condo charging station often surpasses the initial expectations of apartment owners in condo buildings. The installation may require a larger budget if the electrical connection of the building or the service panel has to be upgraded.
The budget for communal condo electric car charging needs to cover upgrading the service panel, hiring a certified electrician and contractor, the cost of the device, and a few additional expenses.
Some old-fashioned or misinformed HOA or condo board members might not be so lenient towards supporting the installation of condo EV charging stations, mostly because they do not understand the benefits of e-mobility. While this might be an inconvenience, there are always ways around it, some of which we will analyze further in this article.
Getting approval for an EV charger project from the HOA can be challenging. In this section, we give you 7 steps to get a positive answer out of your building for the installation of condo EV charging stations.
1. Survey Your Residents & Get Their Approval. You might not be the only EV driver in your building, which is why surveying fellow condo owners might prove fruitful in the approval and installation of communal EV charging. In some cases, your neighbors might have considered acquiring an EV, but feel shy because of lack of access to an EV charger. Installing EV chargers in the condo building might encourage them to switch to e-mobility.
2. It''s Time to Get Technical: Does the Building Have Enough Electricity to Charge EVs? Going over the technical details is always a must to convince the HOA or condo board of a building. You need to determine how many EV chargers the service panel of the parking area can power. For instance, a 250 amp three-phase (400V) service panel can power around four 22 kW EV chargers, but this excludes other necessary loads, which is why an electrician should assess the possibilities. Evaluating options like the EVMC is always advisable.
3. Money, Money, Money: Figuring out the Costs. In the end, everything comes down to money. You should figure out the costs and present an expected budget to convince the building of performing the installation. For instance, some EV owners pay $2,000 or more to install level 2 EV chargers, meaning that six chargers can cost around $12,000 or more, but the investment might be worth it for EV owners in the building.
4. Cutting Red Tape – How to Get Your Charging Permit. An important step is cutting the red tape. You can do this by thoroughly analyzing with whom you have to talk to get a charging permit for your building, the bureaucratic requirements, and solving any other detail you might be missing.
5. Practical Considerations When Choosing a Charger. Choosing a charger needs to be entirely about being practical. For instance, you should choose an easy-to-use EV charger that is compatible with all or most EVs in your condo building. It is better if the charger is future-proofed, meaning that it features a high power rate and the right energy management features.
6. Take Installation Seriously: Select a Certified Electrician. Everyone who does not know their way around electricity and EV chargers should consider hiring a certified electrician. The right electrician will not only perform the installation but also advise you on everything technical regarding the installation.
7. Let''s Split: Establishing a Payment Structure. Most condo buildings install communal electric car charging stations in condominiums to suit the EV charging needs of every electric car owner in the place. To ensure fairness, all users of the charger should establish a payment structure that covers expenses for the usage of the charger and future maintenance.
Establishing fixed access monthly payments or a cost per kWh consumption that reasonably takes into account the electricity expenses and operational costs. EV charging solutions for condos could be the installation of chargers operated by external services, while another one includes a software that internally manages the whole process.
Determining beforehand the device and operation type of electric car charging stations for condos will help you plan accordingly for the installation. The first thing you should do is choose a charger type:
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