Installing an EV Charger in Your Condo: A Guide

About 29% of people in the U.S. live within a community association, comprising around 358,000 community setups and 74.2 million residents, as reported by the Foundation for Community Association Research. While electric vehicle (EV) ownership hasn't caught up to these numbers, it is expanding rapidly, with nearly 1.5 million EVs registered in the country by 2021.

For those in older homeowners association (HOA) communities, setting up EV chargers can present both a buy-in challenge from board members and logistical hurdles. Key considerations include whether existing electrical systems can handle multiple charging vehicles, the necessity for new meters or outlets, and availability of ADA-compliant communal charging areas.

EV CHARGERS AS AN ESSENTIAL UTILITY

These considerations add complexity to the process of installing EV chargers, even when there's agreement on their importance. The perception has evolved to viewing EV charging stations as essential utilities. Many communities now find themselves asking, “When should we introduce chargers?”

Installation methods can vary widely, influenced by the specific charger types residents want. Differences in voltage, speed, cost, and installation are factors, along with whether a property has shared parking spaces. Community chargers also offer opportunities for revenue generation. One approach to propose such a project is to highlight potential income, where the community sets its own rates above local electricity costs, allowing them to break even and potentially earn a profit.

Complexity arises if infrastructure needs to be established for each designated parking spot. Without public spaces, decisions must be made about who receives access to the infrastructure and who finances the chargers themselves. Such questions are crucial at the board level when planning installations.