Multifamily EV
SUNWORKS INC.
EV is ready for the Multifamily Residential space Right now is the Wild West of the Multifamily Residential spaceā but where there are challenges, there are also opportunities.
The multifamily residential sector presents certain challenges when it comes to implementing EV charging infrastructure. Questions surrounding charger ownership, cost allocation, and power availability within the building -- just to name a few. As EV adoption grows, it's crucial to provide charging infrastructure for multifamily housing to ensure fair access to residential charging. This presents opportunities for integrating solar and energy storage projects. In July 2022, electric vehicles accounted for 5% of new U.S. vehicle purchases, with a steady monthly increase. By 2040, it's projected that 55% of new car purchases will be electric.
Challenges
EV charging installation in multifamily residential can be affected by various factors including insufficient power supply, diverse parking arrangements, submetering of pricing, and interactions with homeowners associations.
The submetering of chargers can create issues that raise questions about who bears the charging cost and the amount to be paid. Conflicts with HOA and condo boards can also lead to difficulties, and administrative problems such as resolving owner disputes, managing a sign-up system, and preventing cheating by some owners. Concerns about charger ownership and whether the owner can take it when they move can also arise, as well as the splitting of costs between HOA and owners.
Installation of EV charging in multifamily residential requires careful consideration and due diligence prior to and during the install process. Proper management of the charging system, addressing administrative issues, and finding a fair cost-sharing solution between HOA and owners are some of the key factors that need to be considered to maximize the benefits of EV charging.
Opportunities
There are several rebates, tax credits, and incentives available for EV projects across the country that can be utilized effectively for multifamily residential EV projects. These incentives can simplify the process of starting a project!
Rebates
- ā¢ CALeVIP Level 2 rebates from $3,500-$7,000 per connector ($7,000-$14,000 for a dual port charger)
- ā¢ Multi-unit dwelling (MUD) ā Additional $1,000 per connector
- ā¢ BGE Evsmart program provides rebates of up to $5,000 per port (50% of costs) up to $30,000 to multifamily property owners
Tax Credits
- ā¢ Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit ā 30% of project cost up to $100,000 (commercial) / $1,000
(residential) - ā¢ Area income and prevailing wage requirements Grant Opportunities
- ā¢ PG&E, Pepco, and other utilities have programs to pay all or most of the electrical āmake readyā costs to install chargers
- ā¢ Frequently require them to be accessible by the public
Charging Level Options
There are three options of charging stations when considering installation for Multifamily Residential.
Level 1
Level 1 chargers are standard 120V wall outlets. They offer slow charging and only provide 5-10 miles of range per hour. They are commonly used at home, outdoors, or in parking lots, and not typically in commercial settings. You can buy a Level 1 charger for less than $1000 from box store retailers, and it’s an easy way to charge a single vehicle.
Level 2, Commercial
Level 2 charging is commonly used in residential and commercial settings, such as businesses, hotels, restaurants, and municipalities. These charging stations use a 208/240V power source and can provide about 7 kW of power, but newer models can offer up to 25 miles of range per hour of charge. Commercial Level 2 charging stations have advanced electronics, reporting, and the ability to charge customers for usage, making them available to anyone who needs to charge their vehicle.
Level 2, Multifamily Residential
Level 2 residential chargers are a cost-effective choice for multifamily residential units. They provide power to a single designated parking space, which keeps the cost significantly lower than commercial chargers. Cord retraction is a desirable feature that comes with multifamily residential chargers. However, software options available on
Level 2 multifamily residential chargers are limited when compared to commercial chargers.
Internet Connectivity
During construction, connecting chargers to the internet is essential to run the stationās software. The best solution for multifamily residential chargers is to have them on a single
internet network. Most rebates require chargers to be networked, and allows for multifamily development HOAs to track electricity usage and billing. Cellular repeaters are an efficient way
for stations to operate when underground for garage parking.
Want to get started with EV chargers?
With our hard-earned expertise across all of the required disciplines needed for your commercial EV charger installation, weāll get you on the road fast. Contact us today.
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