Solutions for Multifamily Housing Residents
For EV drivers without access to home charging, especially residents of multifamily housing, finding affordable and convenient charging options can be difficult. To make the cost and climate benefits of EVs available to all drivers, different charging options are necessary, such as shared residential charging, nearby public charging, or workplace charging.
In addition to being less convenient, reliance on public charging can significantly increase the cost of charging an EV, since public charging can easily be two to three times more expensive than home charging due to installation and operational costs passed on to EV drivers. Since public charging stations are more likely to be concentrated in more affluent neighborhoods, low-income communities often travel further to access EV charging compared to white households. These inequities contribute to a gap in who can benefit from EV adoption.
This toolkit contains 20 case studies of companies and organizations working to improve charging access. It also includes data analysis and a map of charging solutions, culminating in a list of best practices and recommendations for communities looking to improve charging access for all residents.
To make our toolkit as accessible as possible, we have a PDF of all the resources in addition to webpages of all the information.
DOWNLOAD OUR FULL TOOLKIT (PDF)
Toolkit Elements
Case Study Matrix
This spreadsheet contains qualitative and quantitative data for all twenty case studies, covering topics ranging from charging costs to future-proofing strategies and charging station ownership.
To filter the matrix by data categories, click the calculator icon in the toolbar to create a temporary filter view.
Charging Solutions Map
This map includes the locations of the twenty charging initiatives covered in the case studies, as well as many additional utility, policy, and community solutions. Find descriptions and more details about each location in this spreadsheet.
Case Studies
Each case study is grouped into a primary solution type:
- Technology solutions involve products or services sold by a company that rely on a specific technology.
- Policy solutions are federal, state, or city government programs to increase access to charging.
- Community solutions are grassroots, locally organized approaches to increase access to charging.
- Utility solutions are charging programs led by an electricity provider.
Best Practices
This at-a-glance resource lists recommended actions that states, cities, community groups, utilities, and companies should take to build a supportive environment for all EV drivers and alleviate some of the burdens that multifamily housing residents face in terms of charging infrastructure. These recommendations draw on success stories from our case studies as well as our ideal vision for affordability and accessibility for clean transportation.
Real-world Reactions
“We are honored to reduce the complexities of charging for SF EV drivers and to open the door for adoption for drivers who were hesitant to go EV because they didn’t have anywhere they could charge.”
– Tiya Gordon, co-founder of it’s electric
“I’ve been really happy overall with the pole-mounted chargers – they’ve been super convenient, and I honestly can’t say enough good things.”
– Burlington Electric Department customer
