Multi-Family Homes and EV Charging

EV charging stations are not only convenient for the residents of multi-family buildings, they attract a growing population of EV drivers, add to amenities offered by communities, can earn a building LEED points, and increase property values.

According to EV Safe Charge, they also send a message to the community about going green and taking community health seriously. Potential renters also leave with an impression of an upscale, sophisticated place to live.

Despite the popularity of public EV chargers, 80% of EV charging is done at home. For those who live in apartments, condos, and other multi-family residences, having a charger at home for their EV is more complicated than just choosing to install one for themselves. As a facility manager, you have an opportunity to supply your residents with a sought-after amenity and benefit your building at the same time.

Thinking about installing EVSE in your multi-family residence?

The first step is understanding the demand for EVSE in your community. When it comes to providing charging solutions, the need can be two-fold. Likely, there are other employees and plenty of residents who are interested in installing chargers. Talking to employees and doing a survey is also helpful. Find how many employees, residents, and visitors already own EVs and how many are considering buying one. Finding out how many drivers already need charging stations, and how many more will need them in the future, can help your facility’s owner decide how many chargers are needed. Blink can also help you decide what number is currently right for you.

EVSE can be a significant investment, so always check federal, state, and local tax incentives, and rebates to see if you can get money back for your investment. Follow this link to find incentives in your state!

The next step is to choose where they should be located. Never install chargers in wet areas or areas that flood. The most efficient spots are close to the electrical box, easy to get to, or near the entrance. Blink can help you choose the right spot to install your chargers.

Furthermore, as the facility manager you’ll have to choose whether you want to install chargers in the parking spots of residents who request them, or if you want to install public-use chargers for the entire building. The possibilities are endless.

Installing EVSE isn’t always smooth sailing for those who try to do it alone. Choosing a networked system, like Blink, can help you spot pitfalls before they happen. For example, it is not recommended to install a non-networked charger for an entire condo or apartment building. The reason is that only a network allows the owner to charge for electricity used, rather than be forced to pay for it themselves, or pass the cost on equally to all residents, including those who don’t have an EV, which would not lead to happy neighbors.

Permits also tend to hold up the works, as do many kinds of chargers. Blink sells only UL approved chargers, so owners don’t have to wait months for a contractor to okay the chargers. Having someone in your corner who understands the ‘ins and outs’ of installation will make your experience go smoothly.

The Blink Advantage

Blink is distinguished by our networked chargers, which provide owners with such advantages as controlling who can use the charger, setting hours of operation, payment methods, and even provide customized reports about how often the charger is used and when. Blink is finding new ways to innovate and make solutions more flexible every day.

The prospect of installing EVSE can seem daunting, but installation and use is often an easy process, especially when a proven EV charging network has your back.