{"id":3546,"date":"2024-05-23T10:23:04","date_gmt":"2024-05-23T14:23:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swtchenergy.com\/?p=3546"},"modified":"2024-05-23T10:25:40","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T14:25:40","slug":"the-7-most-common-mistakes-made-with-multifamily-ev-charging-and-how-to-avoid-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swtchenergy.com\/blog\/ev-insights\/the-7-most-common-mistakes-made-with-multifamily-ev-charging-and-how-to-avoid-them\/","title":{"rendered":"The 7 most common mistakes made with multifamily EV charging (and how to avoid them)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The good news: A growing number of multifamily properties are installing EV chargers<\/a> for use by their tenants and guests.<\/p>\n

The bad news: Too many are making the same mistakes, leading to disappointing charging experiences, dramatically higher installation costs, and eventual regret when it is discovered that the chosen solution doesn\u2019t quite meet the property\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n

To help prevent future incidents of this kind, we put together a list of the most common mistakes and pitfalls we see in multifamily EV charging\u2014plus what property owners and managers should do instead.<\/p>\n

Take the time to review this list and plan accordingly, and you\u2019ll be in a far better position to succeed with EV chargers installed at your property.<\/p>\n

Mistake #1: Not checking in with residents to understand the demand for onsite charging<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s a fair assumption these days that there will be at least some demand for EV charging at your building (and if not today, certainly in the next few years). But too many properties leap into installing EV chargers without a proper understanding of what that demand is.<\/p>\n

Install too few chargers and you could frustrate tenants who want to take advantage of convenient charging but can never find a free charger when they need one. Install too many, and you could find your utilization rate is too low, and that the time to earn back your investment stretches on far longer than would be ideal.<\/p>\n

\"Multifamily<\/p>\n

Instead: Poll your residents to see how many have an EV today, how many intend to buy one in the near future, and whether they want at-home charging<\/h3>\n

Taking a little time to poll your residents can work wonders. Keep it simple! Ask them whether they currently own an EV or intend to buy one in the next couple of years. Ask them if they see value in at-home charging and if they would use such an offering if you installed it.<\/p>\n

You might be surprised at the results! Odds are, a decent number of folks will indicate that they either already own an electric or hybrid car or intend to buy one soon\u2014likely more than you think.<\/p>\n

And, though it\u2019s unlikely, you may even find that some owners don\u2019t feel much need for at-home charging. They may have access to chargers at their place of work, for example.<\/p>\n

Based on this input, you\u2019ll have a better sense of how many EV chargers you might want to install at your building today, how many to grow to in a couple of years, and how urgent the need is. These are all essential details to have in hand to create a solid plan for your eventual installation effort.<\/p>\n

\"Chargers<\/p>\n

SWTCH Spotlight: Condo unit owners band together and install 57 EV chargers<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Mistake #2: Hiring electrical contractors who have never installed EV chargers before<\/h2>\n

Can<\/em> most electrical contractors or electricians do the work required to install EV chargers at your property? Sure. Will they do a good<\/em> job, though? That\u2019s a little harder to say.<\/p>\n

The truth is, because of the complexities involved in getting EV chargers installed\u2014particularly when there are advanced technological features in play, potential future expansions to account for, etc., it really does help to go with individuals and companies with extensive experience in multifamily EV charging.<\/p>\n

Instead: Hire a team with a lot of experience installing EV chargers in multifamily buildings<\/h3>\n

The best teams will know about any specific safety codes or regulations you must adhere to. They\u2019ll know how to lay out the chargers and any supporting wiring or cabling so that replacements or additional chargers can be installed easily down the line. They\u2019ll also know how load management technology can or should influence the way electrical upgrades are conducted.<\/p>\n

Look for examples of past EV charging installations done by prospective contractors to get a feel for their experience, and ask for references if you can. You can also always reach out to our team for advice. We\u2019ve been involved in many multifamily EV charging projects and likely know of good contractors in your area (or know the people who know them).<\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

Get in touch with the SWTCH team<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Mistake #3: Not setting the right budget for the project<\/h2>\n

Budgeting for an EV charging project at a multifamily building can be tricky.<\/p>\n

No two buildings are exactly alike, which means there can be unexpected costs associated with a project in one building but not another.<\/p>\n

And differences in hardware or software costs based on the needs of one building vs. another can also lead to higher prices. Or, a team may assume that a project will involve expensive electrical work that could actually be avoided through the selection of a more intelligent EV charging system.<\/p>\n

To cap it off, though there are many incentive programs out there to drive down the cost of installing EV chargers, the specific amounts they grant can be subject to a number of conditions. It can be a bit confusing to figure out how much money is available, the criteria for accessing it for a particular property, and the timeline for receiving the funding assistance.<\/p>\n

The result: Often, teams will embark on a journey to install EV chargers and set the wrong budget, potentially setting themselves up for failure or headaches over the long term.<\/p>\n

Instead: Investigate your options thoroughly and work with your solutions provider to come up with the most sensible budget and plan<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s worth taking a little time for complex projects like this to read up on the different elements involved in your eventual setup. Dig into the hardware and the software. Do some research into the funding options available at the local, state or provincial, and federal levels. And do speak with an electrical contractor to get a sense of any particularities of your property that might impact the cost of any electrical upgrades that need to be made.<\/p>\n

Your chosen solutions provider should also be able to help you with this. They\u2019ll work with you to identify and apply for funding opportunities, help you select the best possible hardware and software for your project, and be well-positioned to help you budget for your whole project.<\/p>\n

We do this all the time here at SWTCH, as we want to ensure that our customers get the best possible value for their investment in EV charging. If you\u2019re unsure where to start when applying for incentive programs, just let us know! We\u2019ll make sure you\u2019re put on the right track.<\/p>\n

\"Budgeting<\/p>\n

Dig into some of the biggest incentive programs in North America<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Mistake #4: Not understanding the potential of load management<\/h2>\n

Related to the above, we often see property managers go wrong in not knowing about or not properly appreciating what is made possible by good load management technology.<\/p>\n

Instead: Read this quick explanation (and then our more extensive guide)<\/h3>\n

Load management technology is basically used to limit the amount of current directed to chargers. This can be done in response to a couple of things:<\/p>\n