Challenge

Residents of multifamily housing are a critically underserved population when it comes to accessible EV charging. These properties have unique challenges, such as the need to serve many residents, limited electrical capacity, and uncertainty about when residents will switch to EVs.

Most EV drivers travel around 40 miles a day and leave their cars parked for at least 12 hours daily. Installing Level 2 charging, which can recharge a full EV battery in about 4 hours, in apartments and condominiums can require expensive panel upgrades. Recouping these costs drives up per-kWh charging rates for multifamily housing residents and often leads to shuffling vehicles between parking spaces since Level 2 charging for daily use often takes an hour or less. Is there an inexpensive, low-power solution that creates a better fit for EV charging schedules and enables property owners to afford larger EV charging projects?

Objectives and solutions

Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE), a community choice aggregator that sources clean energy for residents in California, aims to reduce the cost of charging installations for landlords and the per-kWh cost of charging for residents. PCE’s EV Ready program provides free technical support and incentives to landlords and property managers who add EV charging to their properties. When property owners seek technical assistance, PCE offers three design options– “good, better, and best”–and the “best” option typically includes the least expensive, lowest-level chargers. Many EV drivers and intenders assume that they need a Level 2 charger (typically 7 kW) to charge their EV. However, according to PCE’s self-published report on the results of their managed charging pilot, about ⅓ of residential EV charging already utilizes a typical 120V outlet. 

For daily driving, Level 1 chargers are completely adequate and cost very little to install. They also complement typical parking behaviors in which drivers park their cars in the evening and don’t move them until they head out the following day. When program participants reach out to PCE to get a quote on costs and incentives for installing Level 2 chargers, PCE will provide that information, but will often recommend more chargers that work at a lower power level as their “best” option. Instead of the upsell costing more, the recommendation provides more chargers for less money. Not only can the cost savings from these projects ultimately reduce the cost of charging in multifamily housing, but they can also serve more drivers, make charging more convenient, and reduce the impact of charging on the grid. 

A recent EV Ready Success Story shared by PCE highlights the fact that an increasing number of prospective renters are asking about EV charging. In response to this demand, Tyrone Properties installed 13 Level 1 and low-power Level 2 chargers for their tenants. With the help of incentives from the EV Ready program, total out-of-pocket costs were less than $150 per charger. Additionally, when possible, the chargers are wired directly to the resident’s apartment’s electric meter. This allows customers to take advantage of utility-offered EV rates and time-of-use residential rates that make the grid cleaner and more efficient and reduce the cost of electricity. PCE has installed more than 1,600 chargers so far and has 3,000 more in progress. About three-quarters of these support people living in multifamily housing.

Elements for Success

• Peninsula Clean Energy is uniquely positioned as a special-purpose public agency and a non-profit to meet the charging needs of residents.
• PCE offers cheaper rates than the investor-owned utility whose territory in which it resides. Because there are no shareholders, everything they make from selling power is invested in electrification programs.
• Savings from the increased efficiency of the system put downward pressure on rates.
• PCE’s focus on “right sized” EV charging is allowing for larger sized projects at affordable costs for property owners.

References

• PCE EV Managed Charging Pilot Results
• Access to slow EV chargers could speed up EV adoption among renters
• Peninsula Clean Energy EV Ready Program
• EV READY SUCCESS STORY Tyrone Properties adds EV charging  at low to no cost

Recap:

Charger type: Level 1 and Level 2 charging
Charging type: Public or private
Problem addressed: Access, Cost
Solution Type: Utility

The post Peninsula Clean Energy prioritizes widespread low-level charging for increased cost savings and access. appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

One challenge for owners and managers of multifamily housing properties in installing electric vehicle (EV) chargers is that the process can require many complex steps, from conducting feasibility assessments to obtaining permits and managing the installation. It can also be challenging to identify and apply for relevant incentives at the federal, state, and local levels. How can property managers find an easier way to install chargers and plan for the future?

Objectives and solutions

Ecology Action provides full-service support for charging installation at small businesses and multifamily housing with a focus on community engagement and continued outreach. Ecology Action’s unique standpoint as a non-profit organization committed to equitable climate solutions enables it to support communities before, during, and after EV charger installations. Through their EVs for Everyone project, the organization hosts ride-and-drive events and helps residents of the central California coast make the decision to go electric. To give residents more opportunities to charge at home or nearby, they offer full-service assistance for installing EV chargers, which is offered at a reduced cost or free for some property owners.

Ecology Action helps property owners find and secure relevant EV charging incentives and rebates. It also conducts a feasibility assessment and provides a customized project design. Then, it assigns an EV Charging Project Manager to assist with the entire installation process, including permitting and on-site management. 

In response to the needs and capacities of low- to middle-income resident communities, Ecology Action often recommends lower-power Level 1 or Level 2 chargers, which cost less and provide just the right amount of power for residents. They also provide training both for property owners installing chargers and for the community as a whole. The organization has received funding from the California Energy Commission and the local electric utility PG&E. Through this program, property owners install EV chargers for around half the cost of electric utility programs. Ecology Action’s focus on equity, community outreach, and cost savings makes this project impactful for EV drivers who live in multifamily housing.

Elements for Success

• The organization’s feasibility studies put no pressure on building owners to purchase specific chargers, so they can work to find charging solutions that work best for their buildings.
• Community outreach, specifically to low- and middle-income residents, is a key component of this program, which works to create a supportive environment for EV drivers and those looking to switch to electric. Ecology Action also offers bilingual assistance to reach even more community members.

References

• EV-Charging Installation & Rebates in California | Ecology Action
• EVs for Everyone

Recap:

Charger type: Level 1 and Level 2
Charging type: Public or Private
Problem addressed: Access, Equipment
Solution type: Community

The post Ecology Action provides EV charging incentives and Installation for small businesses and multifamily housing appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

Private home EV chargers can be used more efficiently. Whether it be because someone is away at work, on a trip, or just not using their home charger at any given time, those chargers can lie dormant for periods of time during a day or week. How can existing infrastructure be used to provide more charging opportunities for those without access?

Objectives and solutions

Even the most avid home charger users do not charge their vehicles 24 hours a day, seven days a week. EVmatch is a mobile app that connects people with EV chargers to people who need EV chargers, allowing users to rent out chargers whenever they are available. Those renting out their chargers can dictate when their chargers are available for use. 

Charging hosts can also decide the price of charging, which allows them to either cover the cost of charging or profit from the charge. EV charging seekers can compare different prices and available times to determine their best charging option. 

Once a charging session has been completed using an EVmatch charger, hosts can either request a direct payout or they can convert those earnings into EVmatch credit. This credit can then be used to charge at other EVmatch stations.

Elements for Success

• EVmatch represents the direct-to-consumer option for EV charging. Users of EVmatch do not have to wait for their municipalities to create EV charging solutions or companies to create more charging access. They can simply use the EVmatch platform to find charging that already exists when they need it. 
• This solution also makes private charging as efficient as possible. Hosts can maximize the time their chargers are used, which can help other residents within their local communities.

References

• Earn Money Sharing Your Home EV Charging Station
• EVmatch: A simple, low-cost way to monetize your charging stations

Recap:

Number of active chargers: over 1,000
Charging type: Private
Problem addressed: Access
Solution type: Technology

The post EVMatch hosts charger sharing program between drivers appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

Multifamily building owners are often reluctant to install EV chargers because of the high upfront cost, building upgrades, and maintenance required. Tenants who live in these buildings may not be willing to drive an EV if there are no charging stations available. Even if there are no current tenants who drive EVs, multifamily buildings need to plan for the future and install charging stations as a basic service for residents. How can building owners and managers be motivated and supported to build EV infrastructure for residents?

Objectives and solutions

Amperage Capital has an innovative solution to this problem. Based in Dallas, Texas, Amperage Capital is an infrastructure investor and operator with a goal to close the gap between EV infrastructure demand and investment. Amperage knows that EV adoption will continue to accelerate, presenting a huge opportunity for long-term investment in charging infrastructure. Amperage Capital will pay 100% of the cost of charging equipment and installation, including Level 2 and DC fast chargers, and offer property owners a revenue share, which brings in extra income. The installation process is quick and simple. Chargers are assembled off-site and installed in a few days, minimizing on-site work and utility upgrades. 

For EV drivers, the process is even easier. Each tenant is assigned a parking space with a charger for their exclusive use. They activate the chargers using their phone or RFID card, which they receive after signing a lease agreement. Tenants make a small monthly payment for the cost of charging through an app. Amperage owns and maintains the charging stations, and property owners collect a share of the revenue. Amperage Capital works to help all kinds of buildings, including retailers, hospitals, city governments, and parking garages, provide reliable and accessible EV charging and keep up with growing demand. 

Elements for Success

• Long-term, upfront investment makes charging infrastructure installation possible for more multifamily building owners and residents and ensures buildings will be ready for future tenants who drive EVs.
• The simple process for residents to reserve parking spaces with EV chargers and pay a monthly fee opens up the opportunity to drive an EV to more renters.

References

• Home – Amperage Capital
• Driver Home – Amperage Capital 

Recap:

Charging cost: Small monthly subscription
Charging type: Private
Problem addressed: Access, Equipment
Solution type: Technology

The post Amperage Capital motivates landlords to install EV infrastructure through revenue share model appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

An increase in electric vehicle adoption in cities can come with a problem—where do those new EV drivers charge their vehicles? Infrastructure projects take time, and installing EV chargers in cities is no different. Long-term solutions can be implemented, but what do EV drivers do in the short term while they wait?

Objectives and solutions

In Cambridge, EV drivers struggling to find charging solutions were given a way to temporarily meet their charging needs. Residents can apply for a permit to get a mat that covers a cord they run across the sidewalk to charge their cars on the street.

If approved for a permit, they can also get a 9-foot-tall swing arm that extends above the sidewalk. The charging cable must be connected outside and can only use 120 volts. Furthermore, the cord can be out for 12 hours a day or less and has to be removed from the sidewalk when not in use. It is important to note that this is intended to be a stop-gap solution until long-term solutions are implemented and more public charging stations become available for Cambridge drivers. 

Elements for Success

• While long-term solutions require more delicate planning and time, short-term solutions like these simply need to give drivers the tools to charge. Cambridge’s plan matches a need with a rapidly deployable solution. This specific plan comes with some restrictions, but those restrictions are worth it for the convenience of being able to charge your EV whenever you need to. 
• This policy solution recognizes the urgent needs of residents without home charging and gives them an easy and convenient solution. 

References

• Cambridge, Massachusetts legalizes sidewalk electric vehicle charging
• City of Cambridge Announces Electric Vehicle Charging Pilot Program

Recap:

Charger type: Level 1 charging
Charging type: Private
Problem addressed: Access, Equipment
Solution type: Policy

The post City of Cambridge issues permits to run extension cords across sidewalks for EV charging appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

Demand for electricity from the grid fluctuates throughout the day, which causes prices to fluctuate as well. Electric vehicle (EV) batteries can charge and store energy when demand is low and feed it back into the grid when demand is high. How can we leverage this unique EV capability for multifamily housing residents?

Objectives and solutions

BlueHub Capital, a nonprofit community development financing organization, saw an opportunity for affordable housing developments to provide EV charging for residents while earning credits from their local electric utility. They partnered with Fermata Energy, a company that makes a bi-directional EV charger that can transport electricity between a vehicle and the grid (which is called vehicle-to-grid or V2G charging). This utility partnership allows EVs at multifamily residences to support grid efficiency while earning revenue to help lower the costs of charger installation and the electricity for charging. The first location selected for this V2G pilot was the Girls Latin Academy Apartments located in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, MA, and managed by the Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation.

Since June 2023, a resident at this affordable housing complex has been able to rent a Nissan LEAF and charge it at home using Fermata Energy’s 20kW bi-directional charger. The local electric utility, Eversource, notifies Fermata Energy of an ‘event’ when they need additional power and electricity will be discharged from the car back into the grid. These ‘events’ are usually in the evenings in the summer, corresponding with peak energy demand. Eversource pays Fermata Energy $200 per kW discharged during an ‘event’. If the car is plugged in for a total of 40 to 60 events for 2 to 3 hours each, it could earn up to $4,000 per summer, which could offset electricity costs for charging.

This project required an upfront loan from BlueHub Capital for the building’s charger installation. The driver receives free charging and discounts on their car lease from Enterprise and insurance. In the future, the pilot could be expanded to include more drivers who could bring their own cars, more buildings that can earn revenue, and software that can manage the load of each vehicle in a bank of chargers. For now, the participating driver appreciates the opportunity to save money and build a more sustainable future.

Elements for Success

• The upfront loan provided by BlueHub Capital made this project possible for an affordable housing development that may not have otherwise been able to provide EV charging for residents.
• The utility partnership between Fermata Energy and Eversource was critical for the installation process and the bidirectional charging software, which allows credits for energy discharged back into the grid during peak ‘events.’

References

• Electric Vehicle Pilot – BlueHub Capital
• First-in-Nation Pilot to Provide Affordable Access to EV
• How V2X works – Fermata Energy

Recap:

Charger type: DC fast charging
Charging type: Private
Problem solved: Access, Equipment, Cost
Solution type: Technology

The post Fermata Energy offsets charging costs in multifamily housing through vehicle-to-grid pilot appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

Installing EV chargers in multifamily properties can often require expensive electrical upgrades, especially when retrofitting existing buildings with limited panel capacity. How can technology support EV charging by capping additional load to save on costly infrastructure upgrades?  How can they scale their charging needs effectively?

Objectives and solutions

SWTCH Energy provides multiple solutions designed to accommodate EV charging in multifamily properties. Their product SWTCH Portal is a customized dashboard that gives building managers real-time information and control over rate structures, turn-key billing, loitering enforcement, and access control. This product makes charger operation simple for property managers, especially those with many chargers at one site. It is a tailored solution designed for the needs of each specific property. Another product that SWTCH offers is SWTCH Control, an advanced load manager that maximizes the number of chargers that can be installed while avoiding infrastructure costs resulting from increased demand. 

One example of advanced load management is at the Lofts at Beacon, located in Beacon, New York. When residents started to request EV charging as new units were being added to their property, the building installed 10 EV chargers that all existed on individual circuits. By using SWTCH Control, which provides continuous monitoring of chargers, the property could expand to up to 40 charging units with no need for electrical upgrades. With this much capacity, even people who don’t live in the Lofts can use the chargers.

With a convenient app and platform for both users and operators and 24/7 support available to its users, SWTCH Energy improves efficiency for property managers and residents to ensure EV charging can meet current and future demand.

Elements for Success

• SWTCH’s tailored and comprehensive portal allows building managers to observe and control their chargers in real time, making the operation more efficient and beneficial to their properties
• Load management software is a very scalable solution that allows buildings to expand their EV charger capacity while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

References

• Multifamily EV Charging
• The Lofts at Beacon Future-Proofed their Building & Business with a Scalable EV Charging System
• Multifamily Case Study: Condo adds 21 EV charging stations and avoids $24K in electrical upgrades

Recap:

Average charging cost: $0.39/kWh
Charging type: Public or Private
Problem addressed: Access, Equipment
Solution type: Technology

The post SWTCH Energy enhances EV charging access through charge management at multi-family properties appeared first on Plug In America.

Challenge

Electric vehicles can lower transportation costs and save consumers money. Still, if you live in multifamily housing and don’t have access to home charging, these benefits may be diminished by the higher cost of using public chargers. How can these EV drivers access convenient and low-cost charging options?

Objectives and solutions

The State of Vermont developed a program to subsidize charging at multifamily housing across the state. Charge Vermont is funded by the state and administered by Vermont’s largest electric utility. Essentially, this program provides free (or almost free) installation of Level 1 and Level 2 chargers in multifamily housing. It offers up to 90% of the total project cost for market-rate housing installations and up to 95% of the total project cost for projects with a minimum of 50% affordable housing units. Federal, state, and utility incentives can all be used as a match. The program was initially funded by state appropriations but is now funded by EV registration fees.

Vermont is considered the most rural state in the U.S., with almost 65% of its population living in rural areas. About 23% of Vermont’s housing is multifamily, and because Vermont is so rural, multifamily housing, including manufactured home parks, isn’t necessarily located in cities. Many Vermonters living in multifamily housing still have long commutes. Beginning in 2022, the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development recognized a need for affordable and convenient home charging access for drivers living in multifamily housing. It developed a $1 million pilot to test how EV charging solutions could work for multi-unit property owners and residents. The pilot used grant recipient interviews, cost assessments, station use reporting and analysis, and case studies to develop best practices. The pilot has increased EV charging access to residents in 28 multifamily properties, with a total of 78 charging ports contracted. More recently, the VT Legislature passed a bill appropriating $7 million for the Charge VT program based on the learnings of the pilot. 

One program requirement is to ensure that charging is distributed throughout the state, so no county can receive more than 10% of the available funding. Currently, counties with more urban areas are fully subscribed, but funding is still available in counties with more rural areas. Property managers interested in participating can fill out a simple online application form and participate in a pre-screening call. Charging equipment installers can be selected by the property manager or from a list of installation partners provided through the program. The equipment must be maintained for at least five years and must be networked equipment if the chargers are available to the general public. Equipment does not have to be networked if charging is restricted to residents only, which may keep costs lower for home charging.  

Another unique and important feature of the program is that, through a partnership with Green Mountain Power, the state’s largest electric utility and program administrator, building owners can access a significant portion of the funding incentives before they start work. This is critical for smaller property owners who don’t have easy access to capital and can make it financially feasible for them to move forward with charging projects. 

In 2024, the State Legislature passed a bill imposing additional registration fees on EVs. Unlike most states that use EV fees for road maintenance, Vermont is using these fees to fund this program, thus expanding access to charging for residents of multifamily housing. 

Elements for Success

• Incentives can be stacked with utility programs, which are widely available in other states, and federal tax credits, making charger installations inexpensive or free.
• The program leverages a utility partnership to offer the bulk of the incentive before construction begins, covering the upfront investment that often deters property managers from installing EV chargers.

References

• Charge Vermont EV Chargers for Multi-unit Residences
• Multi-unit EV Charging Incentive Program
• Affordable Homes with Equitable Access to Transportation Options

Recap

Charger type: Level 1 or Level 2
Public or private
Problem addressed: Access, cost
Solution type: Policy

The post Charge Vermont incentivizes multifamily housing property owners to install EV charging throughout the state appeared first on Plug In America.