{"id":13138,"date":"2023-03-09T15:44:03","date_gmt":"2023-03-09T20:44:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pluginamerica.org\/?page_id=13138"},"modified":"2025-12-10T15:12:18","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T20:12:18","slug":"right-to-charge-policies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pluginamerica.org\/policy\/right-to-charge-policies\/","title":{"rendered":"Right-To-Charge Policies"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last updated: April 2025<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The Problem<\/b><\/h2>\n

As the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) accelerates, the challenge of providing equitable access to affordable EV charging becomes increasingly important. Installing more public chargers will not fully address issues of equitable access. <\/span>The availability of power for EV charging at home is one of the most critical factors in ensuring affordable access to EVs for all Americans<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Owners living in single-family homes can charge at utility residential rates, and in some cases can benefit from very inexpensive off-peak rates. Drivers who rely solely on public charging pay whatever rate the charge point operator requires to recoup all costs associated with the charging installation and management in addition to factoring in profit. Public charging can often cost <\/span>two or three times<\/span><\/a> as much as home charging.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Not all EV drivers have designated off-street parking, like a garage or driveway, where they can charge their vehicles. Over <\/span>31 percent<\/span><\/a> of U.S. residences are considered multi-family housing (also known as multi-unit dwellings) like apartments, townhouses, and condominiums, where charging may not be available. Additionally, many drivers face restrictions and logistical hurdles that make installing a home charging station difficult and sometimes impossible. Homeowners in apartments, condominiums, and even single-family houses in developments are sometimes restricted by homeowners associations (HOAs) from installing EV chargers. Renters can have an even harder time since many leases and rental agreements prohibit \u201cmaterial changes\u201d to the property, such as installing a charging station.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Solution<\/b><\/h2>\n

Fortunately, <\/span>several states<\/span><\/a> have enacted policies designed to remove barriers to affordable charging for EV drivers who do not have private parking access. These policies are typically known as right-to-charge policies and remove barriers for residents of multifamily units to install charging infrastructure in parking garages, lots, and spaces. <\/span>Right-to-charge policies<\/b><\/a> provide residents with the right to install a charging station for their own use, provided that certain conditions and standards are met.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

These policies can vary in their protection of homeowners and renters. Across the board, the recurring intent of these policies is that HOAs, or building owners\/managers (in the case of renters), should not create undue burdens on residents that prevent them from installing and accessing charging in multifamily housing. Only five states (CA, CO, CT, IL, and OR) and the District of Columbia extend protections to owners <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> renters. The remaining states have policy language only focusing on protecting single-family homeowners or condominium owners.<\/span><\/p>\n

Plug In America supports the adoption of right-to-charge policies to reduce barriers to installing charging infrastructure in the homes of current and prospective EV drivers. To promote the broadest possible adoption of EVs, we believe that all drivers, regardless of what kind of home they live in, should have access to convenient and affordable charging. To ensure the broadest and most equitable access to home charging, Plug In America encourages policies that:<\/span><\/p>\n