Power Up Your Condo: A No-Nonsense Guide to Installing EV Chargers
Your Work In Progress Step-by-Step Guide to Bringing EV Power to Your Condo
Introduction
Navigating the installation of an EV charger in a condominium can feel like navigating a labyrinth. As both a condo owner and a current participant in this complex process, I've documented every step of my journey to simplify the experience for you and everyone involved.
Part 1: Understanding the Basics
Let’s start with the clear benefits of having an EV charger, not just for you, the driver, but also for the broader condo management to convince them of the opportunity that EV charging presents.
Convenience: For many, the ability to charge an EV at home is a game changer. Globally, 80% of EV charging happens at home, which mirrors our habit of charging devices overnight. Unfortunately, this convenience often eludes condo dwellers.
Cost Savings: Living in the city subjects me to Tesla's supercharging rates of about $0.42/kWh. However, charging at home could cut this expense by almost two-thirds.
Revenue Potential: For condo owners and management, installing EV chargers is not just an amenity but a potential revenue stream. An opportunity to transform a parking spot into a passive income stream.
Part 2: Getting Started & Performing Site Evaluation
Once convinced about the benefits of installing an EV charger, follow these steps to secure buy-in from all necessary parties:
Building Consensus: Remember the adage, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together"? Rallying your fellow condo owners can significantly boost your chances of persuading the condo board to approve the installation. Consider reaching out with a friendly note:
Hey there, Neighbor!
I’m [your name] from unit [your unit #]. As a fellow EV owner, I understand the challenges we face without proper charging in our building. That’s why I’m drafting a proposal to the board for installing communal EV chargers in our garage.
The benefits are clear – convenience for us, increased property value for the building, and a step towards a greener community. To make this proposal impactful, I need your support.
If you like the idea, let's team up. Just email me your name and unit number at [your email address]. Let's see if we can make this happen!
While it helps to have more owners pushing the same agenda as you, I would suggest moving onto the Planning and Approval step below as soon as you can while continuing to reach out to other owners in the building throughout the process.
Engaging Property Management: If you’re renting, you’ll need your landlord's permission first. Once approved, coordinate with your building's property manager to facilitate the electrician's site evaluation:
Hi [Landlord Name],
I'm getting an electric vehicle and need your okay to put in a charging station at my parking space. This will be done by a licensed contractor, at my expense, and I plan to coordinate all necessary appointments.
With electric cars becoming more popular, this could really be a plus for our community, not to mention it's great for the environment. My new car should be here in [number to number] weeks, so I'd appreciate a quick response on this.
Let me know if you need more details. Thanks a lot for considering this!
Engaging Building Engineer: Once you get the sign-off from your landlord, you’re going to want to send a follow-up message to whoever does the day-to-day management of your building (e.g., building engineer, property manager). The two things that the electrician will want to see once they’re on site is 1) your parking spot (or wherever the chargers will be installed) and 2) the electrical panel that the charger will be connected to. They will then want to measure the distance from that panel to your parking spot and determine the best route to get there. I suggest sending this following email to your building engineer/property manager:
Hey [Building Engineer Name],
I hope you’re doing well. [Landlord Name] and I are coordinating to have an electrician evaluate my parking spot for an EV charger. Could you let me know where the garage panel is and if the electrician could have access to it? Appreciate your help!
After you gather the panel information, you have what you need to take to the electrician.
Selecting a Professional: If your landlord doesn’t have a preferred electrician, find a reputable one online. Arrange for them to assess your parking spot and provide a quote.
Part 3: Planning and Proposal Approval
Proposal Preparation: Prepare a presentation that includes:
Purpose/Executive Summary: Outline the need and the overall solution, including the cost estimates provided by your electrician.
The Solution: Detail the proposed installation specifics such as type of charger, charging speeds, and number of ports.
Next steps: Clearly define the immediate actions to prevent delays in installation. If required by your HOA, attach an example survey to gauge interest among residents.
HERE is copy of the proposal I put together for my HOA association.
Seeking Approval: Share your completed proposal with your HOA president and property manager for approval.
Conclusion
As I navigate through this installation process, I'll continue to update this post with the latest insights and developments. If you have any questions or want to share your experiences, please reach out to me at Ian@getrevoltenergy.com.
Additional Resources
A list of resources that I have found useful in my process.