Home EV charging in apartment block complex carparks

[markwj]

LCQ 12: Charging stations for electric vehicles

Hong Kong (HKSAR) - Following is a question by the Hon Chan Hak-kan and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, at the Legislative Council meeting today (November 23):

It has been reported that the Environment Bureau expects that the number of charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) throughout the territory will increase to 1 000 in the coming year.However, some EV owners have approached me recently for assistance and relayed to me that they had planned to install charging facilities at their private car parking spaces in the residential estates where they live, and the installation was assessed to be technically feasible by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, but owing to objections from the owners' corporation and management companies of the estates, so far the installation works could not commence....(snip)

My opinion remains that the core fundamental issue is that slow 13amp charging in shopping centres is not feasible in the long term. The only solution is day-time office and/or night-time home charging - and that is going to require legislative enforcement (something like an easement) to be workable.

If there is anyone in Hong Kong (reading this), who is having trouble, please contact me and/or Hon Chan Hak-kan. We definitely need some test cases to highlight the issues.

[Model S_HKG]

I have been fighting with the OC of Leighton Hill in Happy Valley for almost 2 years and still no luck. This little OC party won't even bother to see me or EMSD face to face to discuss for any possibility of installation. Lately, I have been interviewed by the Hong Kong Economic Times, hopefully it will stir up some discussion.

I couldn't understand why being an owner of an apartment property that I am living in would not have no right to install a power point!! I don't see why I have no choice of choosing to drive an electric car because of these idiotic OC of apartment buildings.

The HKSAR and EB are doing so much to promote the use of EVs in HK, which is a great thing and HK is one of the most suitable place for EV. I hope the new Chief Executive would agree to provide some incentive to apartment, say discount in electricity for those that install charging stations.

[meloccom]

You firstly need to get on the Owners Corporation if possible.
Show them California Bill SB209
SB 209 Senate Bill - AMENDED
The important clause is:
This bill would provide that any covenant, restriction, or condition contained in any deed, contract, security instrument, or other instrument affecting the transfer or sale of any interest in acommon interest development, or any provision of the governing documents of a common interest development, that effectively prohibits or restricts the installation or use of an electrical vehicle charging station is void and unenforceable.

Ev's are and will be a global phenomenon and similar legislation will be proposed in many places including Hong Kong. So it's in their own interest to control the introduction of EV chargers than have them forced on them in the future and having to suddenly struggle with the effects of any future legislation.

[markwj]

I have been fighting with the OC of Leighton Hill in Happy Valley for almost 2 years and still no luck.

Do you own the car park space or just rent? I'm interested in finding a test case to force the issue.

[Model S_HKG]

I own the apartment and parking space.

[markwj]

I own the apartment and parking space.

I'll PM you to discuss what is possible. Thanks, Mark.

[Eberhard]

I had the same problem with my own space in our underground garage. in the owners meeting, i announced, that i will install a power-socket on my own expenses. According our law i can do this without the permission of the others owner as long i would not create any other unacceptable harm to others owners right. Setting up the charging equipment is a correct use of the parking lot, because its needed to uses a EV. But I cannot ask, that a common infrastructure hast do be setup at the owners cost.

Best is, you announce that you will install your socket/Box within a period of time (one month), if no written order is given that you cannot do it. If the deny, you can to the court to override this.

[markwj]

Eberhard,

Surely you had to go through common areas? And put in a new separate meter? I guess the law in Germany seems different. While we have 'easement' regulations for utility access through common areas, they don't cover car parks normally.

[Eberhard]

I had to go from the switchboard through the cellar, crossing 3 walls to my parking lot.

[VolkerP]

must have been a painful experience...