Recommendations for future multifamily housing charging initiatives based on the successes of the case study projects.
Best Charging Solutions
Consider Level 1 charging.
Most drivers considering an EV assume they need a purpose-installed charger to power their EV, but over 20% of the EV drivers we’ve surveyed rely on a simple 120V outlet to charge their car. That’s the same type of outlet people use to plug in a simple lamp, a toaster, or a laptop. While charging on a regular outlet takes more time, that can be a good thing. A Level 2 charger typically takes between 2 and 4 hours to top up an EV battery. This is great if you are in a hurry, but if you are charging overnight, the last thing you want to do is move your car in the middle of the night because it has finished charging. Aligning dwell time (how long your car is parked in a particular location) and charging speed can make driving an EV more convenient. Plus, Level 1 charging costs much less to install and minimizes impacts on the grid.
Make public charging convenient and accessible.
In order for public EV charging to be a viable alternative or addition to home charging, chargers should be located in multiple areas within a neighborhood. Chargers should be placed in residential areas (ideally within a 5-minute walk of multifamily housing residences) and at frequently visited community spaces, such as grocery stores, places of worship, and movie theaters. The ultimate goal is that EV charging is readily available where cars are parked, so that drivers can charge where they live, work, shop, and play. Community residents, whether EV drivers or not, should give input on proposed public charging locations to ensure that charger buildout is informed by the community and aligned with community needs.
Look for incentives to support charging installation.
Multifamily property owners and managers should take advantage of the numerous state, local, and utility grants and rebates designed to greatly reduce the upfront cost of charger installation. These incentives can sometimes be combined to offer even greater savings. Additionally, many utility companies, state and local governments, and community groups offer free assistance with the entire process of installing EV chargers, from applying for incentives to charger management.
Prioritize business models that reduce costs.
We discovered a few case studies that highlighted creative business models allowing public EV charging to cost the same (or less) than home charging. Affordable charging makes driving an EV much cheaper than driving a gas car and ensures the cost, convenience, and climate benefits of driving an EV are available to those who need them most. Sometimes, EV charging installations become so complex and expensive that the charging they provide is no longer affordable. Examples like Fermata and Volta offer unique solutions that create a separate value proposition for the charger that offsets the cost of the electricity itself.
Implement load management and vehicle-to-grid charging for long-term planning.
An increase in electric vehicles means greater demand for electricity, which can cause high electricity prices at peak charging times. Many utilities offer discounts for charging at times when there is low demand or for discharging electricity from EVs back into the grid or the building. These practices will enable building managers to continue to add EV chargers without straining the grid and save money on electricity costs.
Utilize car sharing for a low-cost, low-risk mobility solution.
Car sharing allows drivers to enjoy the cost savings of driving an electric vehicle without having to purchase a car upfront. It is a perfect solution for drivers who want to try the EV experience in a low-risk environment, and it makes convenient mobility accessible for those who do not want the responsibility and cost of owning a car. EVs make great carshare vehicles because they require minimal maintenance and have low operational costs, and they bring opportunities for charging to residential communities.
Best Strategies for Success
Take advantage of stackable incentives.
Incentives for installing charging stations are available from various sources, including the federal government, state governments, utilities, and others. The best thing about these incentives is that in many cases, they are stackable, meaning you can add them together. For example, federal tax credits can cover up to 30% of the cost of charging equipment and installation. This can often be paired with utility incentives such as rebates, free chargers, or reduced charging rates.
Save money with upfront incentives.
For property owners and managers, coming up with cash for installing EV charging equipment can be a challenge, and often rebates take weeks or months to be issued after construction. Programs like Charge Vermont offer most of the funding for the installation once contracts are signed, but before construction begins, which saves the property owner the trouble of securing financing and the additional cost of paying interest on a loan.
Involve your local utility.
Installing EV charging equipment can require utility infrastructure upgrades, which can be expensive and time-consuming. The earlier the utility is engaged in the project, the better. This allows the utility time to ensure adequate capacity on transformers. Some utilities also offer to-the-meter (TTM) upgrades, which cover the cost of additional infrastructure investments to accommodate the increased load of EV charging. Utilities can also be a great resource for information about equipment, contractors, and incentives.
Involve local property owners and residents to create mutually beneficial solutions.
Direct outreach to property owners or managers is the best way to convince them to install EV chargers for their residents. If residents express interest in chargers, property managers are more motivated to start the installation process. Outreach to property managers from utilities and community groups also facilitates conversations about charger installation, and these groups may provide new and useful information to property managers.
Consider short-term stopgap charging solutions.
Building out a robust public and private charging network takes time. However, there are measures that municipalities and companies can take to satisfy the immediate charging needs of EV drivers. Charger sharing apps can connect drivers without home charging to convenient charging options, and sidewalk charging accommodations like mats and swing arms can be replicated almost everywhere. Communities looking to build a supportive ecosystem for EV drivers should support both short-term and long-term charging solutions.
Prioritize underserved communities and affordable housing locations.
Low-income communities stand to gain the most from the cost savings and cleaner air associated with EV adoption. However, they are often the most overlooked for investments in charging infrastructure. Cities, states, companies, utilities, and organizations should prioritize low-income communities and affordable housing for charging investment and development, and engage communities in the planning process to best support their communities’ needs.
