More and more tenants are driving electric, and they’re actively seeking homes that support their needs. In just a few years, the share of renters interested in EV charging has climbed significantly. Over one-third of renters now say they want EV charging access. Forward-thinking apartment and condo communities are adding EV charging stations to attract these residents and stay competitive.

Surveys show that providing this amenity isn’t just a nice extra – it can directly impact leasing. 15% of renters plan to buy an EV in the next five years, and 58% of those say they’d pay more in rent for a building with on-site charging. Younger, eco-conscious tenants especially see EV charging as a must-have. In fact, many EV owners simply won’t consider living in a place where they can’t charge their car reliably. Today, only about 5% of multifamily properties offer EV charging, so adding this capability can give your property a distinct market advantage.

Offering EV charging also helps future-proof your property. Regulations are evolving – for example, California’s building code (CalGreen 2024) now requires 50% of parking in new multifamily developments to be EV-capable. By installing chargers now, you not only comply with current standards but also prepare for a future where electric cars are the norm. Industry projections suggest that by 2030, half of new vehicles sold will be electric, which means the demand for home charging will skyrocket. Investing in the infrastructure early saves retrofitting costs later and positions your property as a leader, not a laggard.

Benefits for Property Owners & Residents

Higher property value & appeal: EV charging can make your building more attractive to buyers and renters alike. Studies have found that properties with EV amenities tend to have higher valuations and rent out faster than those without. It’s a selling point you can highlight in listings – similar to having a modern gym or high-speed internet, an EV-ready property commands a premium in the market.

Additional revenue opportunities: With networked chargers, you can implement a usage fee for electricity, turning EV charging into a utility that tenants pay for. Many communities charge residents either per kWh or a flat monthly fee for EV parking. While some owners choose to provide charging at cost (or even as a free perk) to attract tenants, others make a modest profit. For instance, if electricity costs you $0.15/kWh, you might charge tenants $0.20–$0.25/kWh – enough to cover expenses and maintenance. Over time, these fees can recoup the installation cost of the station.

Tenant retention & satisfaction: EV charging keeps your residents happy. Imagine a tenant coming home and plugging in to recharge overnight – it’s convenient and reassuring. If you don’t offer charging, an EV-owning tenant might need to look elsewhere when their lease is up, or even run extension cords (a safety hazard) to charge from a regular outlet. By accommodating their needs, you build loyalty. Residents are far more likely to renew leases if they feel their lifestyle is supported.

Sustainability and community image: Having EV chargers is a visible commitment to sustainability. It can improve your community’s image and potentially earn you green building certifications or recognition from city programs. Some local governments even expedite permits or offer incentives for buildings that include EV infrastructure. Your current residents – even those without EVs – will appreciate living in a place that’s investing in clean technology, and it fosters a sense of a forward-looking community.

Access to incentives: Property owners can tap into various incentives to offset the cost of EV charger installations. From federal tax credits (often covering 30% of the install cost) to state grants and utility rebate programs, there’s money available to help make EV charging affordable. For example, some utility companies will provide funding or equipment for a certain number of stations in multifamily housing, and many states have grant programs especially for apartments and condos to encourage broader EV adoption.

Prime Charge – Simplifying Multifamily EV Charging

The Prime Charge station is designed to meet the needs of multifamily properties. With flexible installation options (wall-mounted in a parking garage or pedestal-mounted in outdoor lots), it adapts to your building’s layout. Prime Charge units are robust and safety-certified, which is crucial when you have multiple users. They include smart features to prevent any overload on your building’s electrical system – for instance, load management can be used if you install multiple stations, ensuring they share power without exceeding available capacity.

One of the biggest advantages is the OCPP-networking, which means you can monitor usage and even assign access rights. Perhaps you want to restrict use to residents only – easily done via RFID cards or a mobile app login for your tenants. You can generate reports to see how often chargers are used and by whom, which is helpful for community management or for billing if you decide to charge for usage. The system can integrate with billing software to add charging fees to rent statements, or use a separate app where residents pay as they go.

Prime Charge also offers an elegant user experience, which is important for residential satisfaction. The station is user-friendly with clear indicators and a simple process to start charging. Customer support is available should a resident encounter any issue – which takes the troubleshooting burden off your property manager. And because the stations are durable (NEMA 4 rated), you won’t have to worry about weather damage or frequent repairs.

Installing EV chargers might sound complex, but Prime Charge’s team provides end-to-end assistance. From assessing your parking area and electrical capacity to working with certified electricians and securing permits, we help every step of the way. We can even guide you through incentive applications to minimize your costs. In short, Prime Charge isn’t just a piece of hardware – it’s a comprehensive solution to make offering EV charging in apartments and condos straightforward and successful.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can we bill tenants for the electricity they use?

There are a couple of approaches. With networked stations like Prime Charge, each charging session is tracked. You can require users to use a smartphone app or RFID card tied to a payment account. Tenants would then pay per use automatically. Alternatively, some properties add a flat monthly EV charging fee to rent for those who sign up, allowing unlimited charging. The approach depends on what fits your management style – pay-per-use gives precision and fairness (heavy users pay more), while a flat fee is simpler to administer and predict. Prime Charge’s software can generate usage reports, making it easy to see how much power each user drew if you do want to charge by consumption.

What if our parking area doesn’t have the electrical capacity for many chargers?

This is a common concern. The first step is an electrical assessment – you might have more capacity than you think, especially during overnight hours when many EVs charge. Even if your current service is limited, there are solutions: you can implement load management (where chargers communicate and throttle power if too many are in use simultaneously), or install additional electrical infrastructure. Many utilities offer “make-ready” programs where they will upgrade transformers or panels to support EV charging at multifamily sites. It’s also fine to start small – install a couple of stations now and plan for future expansion as capacity allows. Prime Charge stations can be configured to limit their maximum draw if needed to fit within your building’s limits.

How do we prevent non-residents from using our chargers?

If your chargers are in a publicly accessible area, you can control access through the network. As mentioned, using RFID cards or an app login can restrict use to authorized people (i.e., your residents). Also, physical signage and possibly parking gate controls can be used: for example, mark EV spots as “Residents Only” with tow enforcement for violators. Another tactic is to set a higher price for the public and give your residents free or discounted access via a code or account – that way, non-residents are less inclined to use it. With Prime Charge, you have the flexibility to set these rules and even change them over time if you decide to open chargers to the public during certain hours vs. resident-only at other times.

Are there maintenance requirements for the charging stations?

EV charging stations are relatively low-maintenance. It’s recommended to have a periodic inspection – perhaps once or twice a year – to ensure everything is in good condition. This might include checking the cables for any wear, cleaning the unit, and making sure firmware is up-to-date. Prime Charge stations have remote diagnostics, so in many cases, issues can be identified (or even resolved) remotely. Some property owners choose a service plan with the installer or manufacturer for peace of mind. Overall, as long as users handle the equipment properly (e.g., returning cables to holsters, not hitting stations with vehicles), you’ll find they operate reliably with minimal upkeep.