If you have watched the news these days, it doesn’t surprise you to hear so much about efficient electric vehicles. Gas prices have reached an all-time high and are probably starting to interfere with your “already tight” budget.
More and more homeowners now realize the benefits of driving an electric vehicle. Besides homeowners, even apartment dwellers are starting to move more toward ownership of electric vehicles.
If you live in an apartment, you may think it is not practical to own an electric vehicle. It is possible to live in an apartment and drive an EV full-time! All you need is to find a way to charge your car. Electric vehicles come with what we call a Level 1 charger.
Level 1 charging is how we describe the most simplistic means of charging an electric vehicle using your home’s or apartment’s 110v receptacle.
Level 1 charging, although readily available, is excruciatingly slow. An EV charging with a Level 1 charger will gain about 4-5 miles of driving range per hour. Now, compare that with a Level 2 charger, and things drastically change. A Level 2 charger, usually installed by a qualified electrician, offers anywhere from 25-30 miles of range per hour of charging.
The only caveat to Level 2 charging is that it requires a certified and licensed electrician to install. That usually takes a few hours to install and requires fairly extensive knowledge of specific wiring, electrical breakers, and electrical panels.
More and more apartment complexes now install Level 2 EV chargers on their premises to satisfy the increasing demand from tenants who buy newer electric vehicles.
Property managers are becoming more aware that potential tenants are starting to search for apartments with readily available EV charging because of the convenience of charging electric automobiles. Property managers are increasingly aware that potential tenants will look elsewhere if they do not change with the times.
This article will show you, the electric vehicle owner, and the property manager why it is so essential for EV adoption in apartments. If you live in an apartment now, we will explain how to find a way to charge and why apartments with Level 2 EV charging are your best option.
Can You Charge An Electric Vehicle If You Live In An Apartment?
The simple answer to this question is yes.
While living in an apartment can complicate things for you if you’re an EV driver, that doesn’t mean you cannot find ways to charge your car. In a “worse case” scenario, some apartments may have a standard 110v electrical receptacle on the exterior of a bottom floor area.
It should allow you to use a standard, manufactured supplied charging cable. If your car does not have a charging cable, it is easy to purchase it online. Just ensure to search for a “Level 1 EV charging cable”. That would be a worst-case scenario because a Level 1 EV charger allows for 5-6 miles of range charge per hour.
There are other preferred ways you can charge your EV if you live in an apartment:
- Find a public charging station (Some chain drug stores such as Walgreens and big-box stores such as Walmart are most likely to have these charging conveniences. These will either be Level 2 or Level 3 – Fast DC charging). This type of charging may be free, but most likely, you will incur charges.
- Take advantage of workplace charging if your company offers this.
- Live in an apartment complex that offers Level 2 EV charging – the best and most convenient option.
Although charging your EV at public charging stations is inconvenient, there can also be some benefits. If you choose to charge your car this way, you need to find a public charging station and decide what to do while charging your automobile.
Some retail locations will afford you a few minutes to unwind and do some “window shopping,” walk the dog or watch a movie.
Always remember that Level 2 EV charging will give you an estimated charge of 25 to 30 miles of range per hour, so you may want to walk a little slower. On the other hand, the super-fast Level 3 or Fast DC charging will allow most electric vehicles to charge up to 80% (the maximum) in a 15-45 minute window.
Workplace charging is another option if your employer offers the perk. Even then, workplace charging doesn’t have the accessibility and convenience of having EV charging available at your home or apartment complex.
The biggest issue with workplace charging is if you plan to drive your car outside your usual work hours, weekend, days off, vacation, etc., this may cause some inconveniences in your planning.
An apartment building with EV charging is ultimately the best option for EV owners who are apartment tenants. Apartments with Level 2 EV charging are easier to find than you may realize and are becoming increasingly more accessible.
From duplexes to luxury apartments, multi-family property management firms are beginning to see the value in providing Level 2 EV charging as one of the community amenities they offer their tenants. Soon, apartments will also afford the faster Level 3 charging option for tenants.
What To Do If Your Apartment Doesn’t Have EV Chargers
Until now, you may not have paid attention if your apartment complex has or doesn’t have an EV charger. What if you’re stuck in the middle of a lease or live in the perfect apartment and have just purchased an electric vehicle? Don’t let the fact that you live in an apartment building without EV chargers discourage you.
You can install electric car charging stations in just about any location. It doesn’t matter whether you live in an apartment or a house. EV charging stations are suitable for all common areas made for cars, such as shared parking and garage parking sections of apartment grounds.
Prioritize speaking to the property manager and educating them about how installing a Level 2 EV charging station would be in their best interest.
Explain to your property manager that they may even be eligible for huge rebates from the apartment’s utility provider. If there is a demand at your apartment complex, your property manager may even need to install several electric vehicles charging stations.
Here Are A Few Simple Steps To Follow:
1. Know the landlord or property manager of your apartment. A corporation-owned property may be easier to convince due to financial concerns. Smaller landlords may not see the initial benefits but try to educate and convince them by being a great tenant.
Either way, connecting with the right individual will start the conversation and probably lead to a Level 2 charger installation. Larger apartment complexes may have readily available funds for such an installation, while smaller landlords may not know how affordable a Level 2 EV charger can be.
2. Show your landlord the benefits of EV charging. Let them know how they can increase their property value, attract residents, and collect additional revenue from charging fees if they open their chargers to the public. Most Level 2 EV charger manufacturers offer models where the apartment complex can make a little money from the units.
Show them how working with a qualified, licensed EV charging station contractor can save them money and make it easy for them to install EV chargers.
3. Be an advocate for electric vehicles and EV charging. Connect with other tenants or residents that are EV drivers and ask them to join you in your campaign to bring EV charging to the apartment complex or your residence.
Find ways to get others interested in EV charging and explain the benefits of early adoption of EV charging. When more residents ask for EV charging, the landlords will have no choice but to say yes or look into it more.
Choosing The Best Residential or Multi-Dwelling EV Charging Solution and Installer
After reading this article, you’re probably more familiar with the benefits of EV chargers. But you may not know that installing an EV charging station is a great way to improve your property and attract new tenants.
Installing a Level 2 EV charging station can be a daunting task. There are a lot of factors to consider! From charger type to wiring and installation to the installation location, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. If you are a landlord, try to take the path of least resistance while keeping your tenants happy.
When I mention the “path of least resistance”, I mean not to overdo it. Take the time to do a site survey of your property and keep in mind the locations of electrical substations and electrical panels. Install a Level 2 charger(s) close to the electricity without digging up pavement or landscaping.
Although this is sometimes unavoidable, contact your electrician or qualified EV installer to help you find the most suitable location for installation.
If you have monthly tenant meetings, you may want to invite an electrician or an EV installer as a guest speaker to educate everyone, including the property manager, about the benefits and the need for EV chargers.
There are various manufacturers of simple and reliable EV charging solutions for businesses, multi-family units, and residents across North America. Learn more about getting the proper EV chargers for your multi-unit dwelling community, no matter where you are in the United States, by searching manufacturers of Level 2 EV chargers.
You can also call and speak to qualified electricians through the Better Business Bureau or with highly rated Google results. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. A qualified installer will know, without hesitation, the answer to every question you will ask.
Also, ensure you visit your automobile manufacturer’s site for FAQ about EV installation. You may even find recommended installers in your area.
The Bottom Line
Smart property managers now take steps to provide adequate EV charging capabilities for their tenants. Educated tenants are taking the initiative to actively search for multi-family housing or apartments that offer the amenities for today’s modern EV owners. Either way, we all have to be educated on future expectations, whatever and wherever it leads us.