Whether it’s an apartment building, condos, townhomes, or other types of multi-unit housing (MUH) properties, offering EV charging as an amenity can increase value perception for new and current residents. If you’re considering adding EV charging stations, this guide will help you analyze the benefits EV charging provides, and what considerations you should examine.
The Growing Demand for Electric Cars
There are roughly 288.5 million automobiles registered in the United States, and of those it’s estimated that about 3.3 million are EVs. While that percentage is small, market research predicts 25-30% of new car sales between now and 2030 will be EVs, and that figure is likely to jump to 40-45% by 2035. According to Reuters, at that rate, more than half of the vehicles on U.S. roads will be electric by 2050. However, the US Government has set an ambitious goal, wanting half of new car sales to be electric, hybrid electric or fuel cell-powered vehicles by 2030. If this goal is achieved, 60 to 70% of vehicles on the road will likely be EVs by 2050. These projections are based on roughly 17 million automobiles being sold every year, which is consistent with recent sales trends.
So, what does this all mean for your housing community? EVs aren’t some distant thing on the horizon, nor are they part of a trend that will fade away. They represent the near future, part of a concrete plan that’s already being ushered in by federal and state politicians, along with the major auto manufacturers. To keep up, drivers need convenient EV charging options, and MUH communities are in a unique position to benefit. Many communities, in several states, have yet to offer EV charging, so those that do have it get to enjoy a value-added advantage over their competitors. Plus, offering EV charging onsite can be a way to generate passive income, charge higher rent or offer as a paid amenity.
In some cases, offering EV charging solutions at properties has already become a requirement. This is because some states are requiring EV chargers and station infrastructure to be included with new MUH community builds.
How MUH EV Charging Stations Work
EV charging stations for MUH properties can be configured to meet a range of needs, so knowing what to look for before making a purchase is helpful. Considerations around electrical panel needs and how much amperage your charging stations require, which network to use, how to manage users on the network and process payments, whether you need Wi-Fi or cellular-enabled stations, and other details should be taken into account.
Load Management
This feature is great for existing electrical infrastructure, allowing management to control the amount of electricity each EV charging station pulls when multiple chargers are connected and used on the same circuit (EvoCharge’s EVC50 and EVC50 LTE units that are adjustable from 16 to 50 amps). Load management is convenient, not just because there’s only so much electricity onsite to pull from, but because it allows for customization to your specific needs and requirements without costly electrical upgrades.
OCPP
With Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP), property managers can pick their provider and manage connections for their tenants and visitors with ease. This freedom is significant, as not all EV chargers are OCPP compliant, meaning they only work with specific networks that are designed to communicate with that specific charger. OCPP also means having the ability to change providers at any time without having to change or upgrade hardware.
RFID Readers and Payment Processing
EvoCharge’s EVC50 Level 2 chargers offer radio frequency identification (RFID) card readers, which send low-power radio waves to make charging secure and simple, as access is provided to authorized users only. This functionality is convenient, as it gives property managers the ability to control who has access to the installed charging stations. Plus, with the EvoCharge network, you can set up payment processing if you want to earn additional income from your MUH EV charging stations.
Other Considerations
Many Level 2 charging stations, including the EvoCharge EVC50 and EVC50 LTE, must be hardwired to a power source for safety reasons and to meet National Electrical Code requirements. These charging stations have flexible amperage, ranging from 16 to 50 amps, to meet a range of needs. In addition, both models work via Wi-Fi and the EVC50 LTE includes cellular connectivity, making it a popular charging station that can meet a variety of installation challenges.
Potential Tax Incentives and Rebates
In some instances, tax incentives or rebates and discounts from utility companies may be available for installing commercial EV charging stations. Check to learn what incentives are available in your state.
Commercial Charging Solutions from EvoCharge
EvoCharge has many options that can be configured for your property needs, and are suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Chargers come with load management capabilities to control how much electrical load is applied to the circuit, allowing up to 20 charging units to be installed. This makes it easy to scale the number of chargers needed, which is economical and convenient as EV usage grows in future years.
Connected EvoCharge units are available with the EvoCharge Network, designed for simplified management of chargers for businesses, or they can be configured to work with third-party network providers. EV chargers can be mounted to a wall or pedestal, plus we offer convenient add-on cable management options, ensuring you get the ideal setup. Have questions or want to learn more about MUH options for EV charging stations? Contact us or check out our FAQs.
