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Tesla in a condo ?

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Hi,

I am really thinking of getting a Tesla for the end of the year but I live in a condo and there are nothing in place to charge the car nor at my office.

Are there any of you that live in a condo and have a Tesla ?

I know some people had installed a 240V at their parking space but I wanted to get some feedback from some other people.

Thanks!
 
A lot of it depends on the laws in your state. In Oregon, HOA boards cannot refuse an owner from getting charging set up. The owner, however, must pay full cost. You may or may not have the right to do this in your state.

Are your parking spaces assigned, owned, etc? Or common spaces? It may be easier to set up a common charging space if there's room. You have to think - it's not just you, it's also the next 5 or 10 people who'll want EV charging in the future. It may pay to spend more upfront to handle the extra load later on (cheaper overall). The flip side if you just get it set up for yourself, and others need access (which requires upgrading the breaker/panel/etc you installed), you may be on the hook for part of that upgrade. That's how it is in my state (Oregon).

One thing you must remember is that many of your neighbors will be quite hostile to this if they think they have to pay a penny for your EV charging. Be prepared to show exactly how this will be paid for, and how it won't affect their HOA fees.

I've been in my condo in Portland since June - and I'm still waiting to get things set up. The HOA has a LOT of questions (legal liability, can the building support XXX EV users). We're getting closer, we've been talking to a company called EverCharge (http://www.evercharge.net) which handles equipment setup and billing - they also have a very sneaky system which limits current to cars if need be, so more EVs can use the system than might otherwise be possible (we're talking ~2-3x increase in EVs)

In any case - be prepared to find an alternate charging solution for a while before your condo is set up.
 
This is tricky because I know of a few individuals who have had HPWC's down to simple 120 V outlets installed in their condo's parking garage. It all comes down to the type of association that runs your complex.
For an example a few issues that might arise:
1. The fact that the condo association would not want to pay for YOUR electricity.
2. The association may demand that you pay for the installation and possible fees from inspections to permits, electricity, and so on.
3. They could just reject you because they don't want it.
4. Reject your request because of insurance issues:
1. Possibility of someone tripping over the wires.
2. If by any means a fire was to occur from the unit/car and all other 'possibilities'.

Or they could easily say sure:)

If i had to give advice, I would definitely do research on everything from installation costs to the statics of a fire occurring so you can present an unbiased report for the association to review. A majority of electric vehicle enthusiasts know that the statistics of a fire occurring from a ICE is higher than an electric vehicle, but many people are obvious to this and that is what your report will summarize.

That would be your best chance of obtaining their vote.
 
Yes. Don't do it.

Or have your outlet completely installed and terms worked out in writing before you even place your order.


I met someone in my community last week that has a Tesla and lives in a condo. He says he plugs into a standard 110v outlet in the condo's parking garage. He says he is fine with this and has had his Tesla for over a year, but we also live 7 miles from a supercharger...
 
Most condos are OK with it, even if it takes a little while. A few will not allow it ever--period. It has nothing to do with facts or logic. Florida has no laws compelling Boards to allow this like CA, WA, OR, HI, etc.

If I had known how hard they were going to dig their heels in on this, I would have never bought a Tesla. Other residents ask me about it all the time. I advise them not to buy a Tesla, either, unless they are getting ready to move. I have not run into one single resident that has any objection to EV charging. Most are all for it. Only the Board president is against it, and that's all it takes.

That being said, I would never sell my Tesla now that I have it. I like it way more than my condo.

My advice is still the same: work out the terms, get it in writing, get the outlet completely installed first.
 
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Hi,

I am really thinking of getting a Tesla for the end of the year but I live in a condo and there are nothing in place to charge the car nor at my office.

Are there any of you that live in a condo and have a Tesla ?

I know some people had installed a 240V at their parking space but I wanted to get some feedback from some other people.

Thanks!

Notice on PlugShare of an Artech Condo in Aventure that has the below info listed. You might want to check with that condo association to see how they worked it out.

http://www.plugshare.com/
Following is quoted from PlugShare
ChargePoint
EV Plug (J1772), Wall Outlet (120v)

2950 NE 188th St, Aventura Florida 33180

Phone
(305) 466-2600


Cost
$0.39/kwh, $1.00 minimum


Hours
Accessible 24/7

One dual-Level 1 and 2 charger, ChargePoint RFID card required. The charger is located on the second floor, right side, immediately after the ramp near main entrance. Residents and their guests have charging priority.
 
+1 @auger

Install your charging solution AND agree on payment process \ price of electric before you buy the car....that's the only way to be sure when dealing with HOAs! Good luck (you'll need it).
 
I am going through that process now in Coral Gables. In Miami-Dade county EverCharge has a number of condominiums already up and running. They specialise in Condominiums and have a fairly simple and easy process, more importantly they have all the documentation and procedures ready to support both aggressive permitting (Coral Gables in infamous) and condominium boards. One of their installations in another condominium in Miami-Dade also managed by our management company was installed and running in 12 days following approval by the Condominium Association. They also have a Miami-Dade resident responsible person:
Kyle LyonsMember Services @ EverCharge

Direct : 415-854-9328EverCharge.net
Just to be clear, this is not yet installed in my building. We expect it to be soon, but the Association Board has not yet signed. Of course, I am the only person pressing for it at the moment. Send me a PM if you want more details on the whole process we used in choosing EverCharge.
Candidly, if you can get your own dedicated charger installed it will probably be cheaper than EverCharge. In most condos the $1 million insurance policy requirement by itself can eliminate that option, as it did for me. Further the metering problem is a tough nut to crack without some serious expenses. The ChargePoint and other shared options really don't work very well in Condos either; just think about what happens when there are, say, five owners all vying for two public charge spaces. That will not be my choice!
 
Most condos are OK with it, even if it takes a little while. A few will not allow it ever--period. It has nothing to do with facts or logic. Florida has no laws compelling Boards to allow this like CA, WA, OR, HI, etc.

If I had known how hard they were going to dig their heels in on this, I would have never bought a Tesla. Other residents ask me about it all the time. I advise them not to buy a Tesla, either, unless they are getting ready to move. I have not run into one single resident that has any objection to EV charging. Most are all for it. Only the Board president is against it, and that's all it takes.

That being said, I would never sell my Tesla now that I have it. I like it way more than my condo.

My advice is still the same: work out the terms, get it in writing, get the outlet completely installed first.


I think me and you need to talk about the building you live in, that way my wife and I can start looking at the most expensive units in the building, start talking numbers, then bring up the deal breaking electric car charger that we must have. I bet that a busted sale would put a little pressure on the HOA demigods to allow chargers. :smile:
 
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Most condos are OK with it, even if it takes a little while. A few will not allow it ever--period. It has nothing to do with facts or logic. Florida has no laws compelling Boards to allow this like CA, WA, OR, HI, etc..


WA has no laws to compel this yet. There is an item on the books to discuss this year:


"Explore options for potential EV owners who reside in multifamily dwellings without garages.
Consider requiring homeowner and condominium associations to allow residents to install EVSE if installed and operated at their own expense. "
 
WA has no laws to compel this yet. There is an item on the books to discuss this year:


"Explore options for potential EV owners who reside in multifamily dwellings without garages.
Consider requiring homeowner and condominium associations to allow residents to install EVSE if installed and operated at their own expense. "

Yep, my mistake. But I did leave out Colorado.

- - - Updated - - -

I think me and you need to talk about the building you live in, that way my wife and I can start looking at the most expensive units in the building, start talking numbers, then bring up the deal breaking electric car charger that we must have. I bet that a busted sale would put a little pressure on the HOA demigods to allow chargers. :smile:

:biggrin: Thanks for the support, but I doubt if even that would work. It's a long story. We should talk some day, anyway.

The Plantation supercharger is going to be my solution--someday. It's should be 10 miles from me. I know that sounds very inconvenient to those that charge at home, but it's going to be a great day for me when it finally goes in. I'll probably only have to use it 2-3 times a month.
 
Thank you to all of your answers. I talked to a member of the board and this guy likes the idea but does not know how to proceed. So I will work on the project and present them some of the solutions that you guys talked about.

I know it will take some time unfortunately. I love where I live but they are so backwards on ecology. They want each of us to pay for our EXCESSIVE use of electricty pluging in a car but we have car washing station that everybody can use for free....doesn;t make much sense....

Anyway, I will work on it and keep you guys posted. I believe the ARTECH building solution will be the best one.

Thanks again !
 
Your building is likely paying under 9 cents/kWh, overall rate, including taxes and fees. The solution you refer to above will have you paying more the four times the actual rate at .39 cents/kWh. ChargePoint keeps the difference. It's like buying gas from your building at $12/gallon. If that sounds good, then you're all set.

As far as excessive use goes, get a copy of the building's power bill and do the math for them. They won't know how. Your actually energy use will be less than 3.5 cents per mile of charge. Or a 100 mile charge will use less than $3.50 of electricity at your building's actual electricity cost. This includes inverter losses.

Depending on your Board, there are better options than ChargePoint or EverCharge. Good luck.
 
My condo sucks, they not only wont let me install my own line, they won't let me use the 20 amp plug that's three feet away from my car a (when ice can use them for battery tenders cause they r convinced charging a tesla uses much more electricity) and they won't let me hang an extension cord out my window. Luckily for me there is a slew of free chargers in my neighborhood and I charge that way. I will be moving out ASAP.

We need a nationwide law like in CA.
 
Hi everyone,

I have a friend buying a Tesla and he leaves at the Artech in Aventura with that company that install chargers. It is total BS a full charge costs 35$ !!!!

I discussed with the board and they want to do something but they do not know how. So I have to prepare a file explaining everything about electric car and make sure we can charge our cars with the regular price of electricity.

I will post my file when I finish it in case some of you are interested.
 
The Florida Tesla Enthusiasts have a committee dedicated to condominium issues. I also live in a condominium, mine in Coral Gables. There are no Florida statures so far that will help. However, there are quite a few condominium management companies that have EV charging installed. In general there are four options that seem plausible:

1. Use an existing outlet, usually 110v, if nobody objects. Someone usually does.

2. Adopt a traditional Chargepoint, SemaCharge or similar shared outlet. That can work, there are several of them, but it really does not help a lot for people who live in the building and want to do maintenance charging. They are simple for Condominium boards to understand.

3. Use a third party to handle thorny issues such as owner billing, infrastructure buildout and liability insurance, not to mention permitting and physical installation.

EverCharge has several condominium installations. EverCharge PlugShare is also entering that business. There are others.

I am in the odd situation of having bought my tesla before I had charging arranged.It is a hassle because i do not live there full time so I am constantly juggling alternatives. My Condominium board is cooperative, but there are legal issues (the Florida 'material alteration' issue is used by many attorneys to delay and complicate. To be fair it is a bit of a hodgepodge). The most likely alternative for us is EverCharge. It costs a bit more than direct connection, but direct connections in condominiums in Florida are quite complex, both technically and legally, so some form of third party service tends to win.

There is substantial background on this issue. If you PM me I can help locate whatever you need. In the meantime FPL has a small blurb, a think piece really, that mentions a few issues.

IMHO, it is very possible to work around not having a home charger while you work out these issues. I am very happy i did not wait, even though the process is driving me to distraction.
 
IT did take some time, but my Condominium Association Board approved my application yesterday. Now there is permitting from the City and the actual installation. I guess I will probably have my working charger is about a month.
 
Cool ! I happy that it is working out for you !

I had a talk with the management and the manager of my condo is apparently at it for years but nobody was interested in electric cars. Tomorrow, we have a meeting during which we will push to have 2 dedicated space to electric car with free charging. We will push the idea of it to be an additional condo amenity, like a car wash station, swimming pool, etc.

I will keep you posted when I get the news.

If you are in Aventura, give me a call so we can grab lunch or coffee and talk tesla !

Sincerely,
 
I took delivery of my 70D this week in Houston. Yay! As I was making the purchase, I spoke with our HOA and they seem to be very accommodating. We had a plan to have NRG install an upgraded panel that would service 8 users with metered 220 40A power to my assigned parking spot all at my expense. Future users would pay me their proportional share of the expense as they connect. As I was taking delivery, I learned the HOA is forming a committee to explore all options. Ugh. This will add time to implementation. One option being considered is installing one or two charging stations and have the valets manage charging. I prefer having the power at my spot for simple nightly charges.
 
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