Otis Singleton
Owning a plug-in electric vehicle (EV) while living in an apartment comes with a unique set of challenges, primarily related to charging the vehicle. While those with private off-street parking can easily install a charger, apartment dwellers often have to rely on public charging stations, which may be scarce and typically charge by usage. However, there are alternative options for apartment residents, such as installing a charger in a dedicated parking space or requesting the property manager to set up communal EV charging stations. Government grants are also available to support the installation of charging points in apartment buildings, making EV ownership more accessible.
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What You'll Learn
- Charging options for plug-in electric vehicles when living in an apartment
- Government grants for installing charging points at home
- The cost of installing charging points at home
- Public charging options for plug-in electric vehicles
- The pros and cons of owning a plug-in electric vehicle when living in an apartment
Charging options for plug-in electric vehicles when living in an apartment
If you own your apartment and have a dedicated parking space, you should be able to fit an EV charging point. You might need to seek permission first, so make sure you check your contract and follow the correct processes for making these changes. You could run into trouble if fitting an EV charging point would intrude on anyone else’s property or public land. There are grants that can help with funding, which can help if costs are an issue.
If you’re renting a flat and want to install an EV charging point, you can’t do this without getting your landlord’s permission. If you discuss this with them and they’re happy to help you get the point fitted, they might qualify for a government grant that will help cover the costs. The EV charge point grant for landlords from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles will offer a contribution towards landlords that fit the qualifying criteria to cover some of the costs of fitting the charging point.
If installing a charging point at your flat isn't an option, you can find a public charging point in your local area. You can use apps like Zap Map to find the most convenient charger, or locate one of the nearest 6,477 supercharging EV stations to get a quick yet full charge before setting out for the day. You can also charge your EV at your workplace, as many office buildings are installing EV charging stations for their employees.
If you have to charge your EV at home, you can run an extension cord to a standard 120-volt outlet in your apartment. This is considered Level 1 charging and usually delivers a 5-mile charge after an hour. However, car companies advise against using extension cords, and if you have to use one, you should opt for a 10- or 12-gauge, thicker extension cord to minimize safety risks.
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Government grants for installing charging points at home
The Electric Vehicle (EV) Chargepoint grant is available to those who live in rental accommodation or own a flat, helping to reduce the cost of buying and installing a home charger by £350 or 75% of the cost (whichever is lower). This grant applies to anyone renting, leasing, or managing a multi-tenancy residential property. Charging infrastructure must be installed in a minimum of 5 parking spaces, with at least one active charger.
There is a different application process for landlords. You can only claim one chargepoint per eligible vehicle and household, and you must have dedicated off-street parking. Additionally, you cannot claim this grant if you have previously claimed any other EV chargepoint grant.
In Scotland, you can claim up to 50% of the cost of buying and installing charging infrastructure at factored developments, covering a maximum of £20,000. Only property factors or another organisation managing the shared parking for residential properties can submit a claim.
The Workplace Charging Scheme provides support for organisations to install up to 40 electric vehicle chargepoint sockets at their sites, covering up to 75% of the total costs (including VAT).
In Western Australia, the government co-funds up to 50% of the cost of electric vehicle charger installations by eligible entities, including not-for-profits, small to medium businesses, and local government authorities.
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The cost of installing charging points at home
If you own your flat and have a dedicated parking space, you should be able to fit an EV charging point. You might need to seek permission first, so make sure you check your contract and follow the correct processes for making these changes. If you're renting a flat, you'll need to get your landlord's permission to install an EV charging point. If they agree, they may qualify for a government grant to help cover the costs.
The cost of installing a charging point at home varies depending on the type of charger, the model, and any additional installation costs. The average cost of an EV charging point is usually between £800 and £1,500, or €500 and €1,500. In the US, prices can start at $500 and go up to $1,500.
If you're installing a Level 1 charger, you may not need to pay any additional installation costs as most houses have standard 120-volt outlets. However, if your home is only wired for 15-amp circuits or the plug is not close enough to the distribution box, you will need to hire an electrician. Local labour rates and whether the home is attached or detached will affect the cost of upgrading a Level 1 outlet, but you can expect to pay at least $400.
Level 2 charging stations can be universal or vehicle-specific. For example, Tesla sells a Wall Connector for Tesla models only, priced at $450. They also offer a Universal Wall Connector for all EVs, which features a 24-foot cable and the ability to add up to 44 miles of range per charging hour.
Level 3 stations use DC and 480-volt units and can fully charge a vehicle within 30 minutes. Those installed at home require special permits and a total upgrade of the electric circuit.
You can also save money by applying for a subsidy or grant. In the UK, the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) offers grants of up to £350, covering up to 75% of the cost of buying and installing a charging point. There is also funding of up to £30,000 per apartment block towards the cost of installing charge points, with a limit of 30 applications per year. Local councils can also access up to £13,000 of funding for the installation of on-street residential charge points.
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Public charging options for plug-in electric vehicles
Public charging stations are essential for long trips or when your battery is running low. These stations are located near businesses like restaurants, shopping centres, and public areas.
There are three levels of charging stations:
- Level 1: The slowest option, usually taking about 20 hours for a full charge. It uses the same outlet as your cell phone and toaster and can be plugged into a 120-volt outlet.
- Level 2: Common in public stations, providing faster charging (typically 5 to 11 hours for 200 km). Level 2 charging stations can be found at stores, office buildings, municipal parking lots, parks, hotels, theatres, and many other types of locations.
- Level 3 (DCFC): The fastest option, offering an 80% charge in 15 to 60 minutes, depending on your vehicle's battery capacity. DC Fast Chargers are found primarily along highways and in cities to enable long-distance trips and quick refueling. They work by supplying high levels of electricity directly to your vehicle's battery, bypassing the equipment that normally converts AC to DC.
Public charging stations typically require payment by credit card at the pump, mobile app, or monthly subscription service. Some vehicles and chargers have a "Plug and Charge" feature that automatically pays using your linked card when plugged in.
To find public charging stations, you can use mobile apps or websites like ChargeHub, which provide real-time availability and help plan your route. Local governments and city planners are also working to increase the availability of EV charging stations, with tools like building codes, parking ordinances, and zoning ordinances to encourage EV readiness.
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The pros and cons of owning a plug-in electric vehicle when living in an apartment
Pros
- Plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) are better for the environment, even if the power is sourced from nuclear, gas or coal sources, as the levels of harmful byproducts produced when charging your car will be a mere fraction of the power station's overall pollution output.
- If your power is sourced from renewable sources (solar panels, wind farms or wave power), you could be contributing to lower harmful emissions into the environment.
- If you live and work in the same city, you can commute and run errands without using a drop of gas.
- You can charge your car using a standard 120-volt wall outlet, without needing any special equipment aside from the charging cord that typically comes with the car.
- If you have a shorter commute, you can charge your car at home overnight and wake up to a fully charged car in the morning.
- You can also charge your car at work if your company has installed EV charging stations.
- You can use public charging stations at malls, grocery stores and other locations.
- If you use a particular charging network regularly, you can make significant savings by subscribing.
- There are grants of varying sizes still in place for electric wheelchair-accessible vehicles, motorcycles, small and large vans, small and large trucks, and taxis.
Cons
- Most manufacturers recommend that you do not use extension cords to charge your car.
- If you don't have access to off-street parking, you will need to rely on public charging points, which may be far away and few and far between.
- If you are driving a long-range EV, it will take many days to charge to full capacity using a standard wall outlet.
- If you rely on public charging, you will need to research the closest and cheapest points, which may be a long walk from home.
- Fast-charging stations are quick and convenient, but there aren't always working or unoccupied stations near your home or on your typical travel routes.
- Pricing for public charging stations is inconsistent and reliability is known to be a major issue with many providers.
- Regularly fast-charging your EV will cost more and put unnecessary wear on your EV's battery, causing it to degrade more quickly.
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Frequently asked questions
If you own your apartment and have a dedicated parking space, you should be able to fit an EV charging point. If you rent, you will need to get permission from your landlord. You can also ask your local council to install a charging point in your area.
The average cost of an EV charging point is usually around £800 to £1,500, depending on the charger. However, grants are available to help with funding. The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) offers grants of up to £350 to cover the cost of buying and installing a charging point.
You can use public charging networks, such as Electroverse, Co Charger, BookMyCharge, or Zap Map. These networks have charging stations located in various places, such as coffee shops, supermarkets, or service stations.
You can consider charging your vehicle at your workplace if that is an option. You can also use peer-to-peer networks, which allow you to "share" car chargers with other users, enabling you to find charging options within walking distance of your apartment.
Most manufacturers recommend that you do not use extension cords to charge plug-in hybrids. Therefore, it is essential to ensure you have access to a charging station or outlet close to your parking space.
