I’ve faced this problem with condos owned by a couple of relatives and a rental property that I used to own. It can be tough and expensive, no doubt.
1st: I concur with many here in that
a) the HOA should not be expected to cover one owner’s driving costs.
b) a sustainable solution should assume most parking spaces will soon need EV charging Ian the foreseeable future, very soon in CA.
2nd: the only real sustainable solution is that the owner must pay to install a charging station at their parking stall(s), connected to their service panel and metered with their service.
a) this can be very expensive if the service panel is a long way from parking spaces. In one case of mine, that would have required going under a driveway or a public garden and sidewalks
b) this WILL INCREASE the value of each unit with as EV charging becomes a mandatory amenity by most potential owners/tenants with any financial means.
3rd: the HOA should assess the implication of 20 to 40 amp at 240 volt additional load per unit and see if the central supply transformer can handle it. If not, and the condos I’m familiar with can’t, then load sharing will be needed.
4th: I recommend the HOA obtain quotes from 1 or more electricians for installing Level 2 charging stations for each unit. The owners can then select this if they want charging. The HOA should ensure it is done to code and, ideally watching out to ensure a fair cost to owners. This may include a certified load sharing automatic transfer switch if a unit’s capacity is not sufficient.
The bad news: only 1 of the 3 HOAs I’ve been involved with has done this successfully to date.
The successful one cost my relative over $10K. I’m sure it added well more than that to the condo’s future value in addition to the convenience it adds today.
1st: I concur with many here in that
a) the HOA should not be expected to cover one owner’s driving costs.
b) a sustainable solution should assume most parking spaces will soon need EV charging Ian the foreseeable future, very soon in CA.
2nd: the only real sustainable solution is that the owner must pay to install a charging station at their parking stall(s), connected to their service panel and metered with their service.
a) this can be very expensive if the service panel is a long way from parking spaces. In one case of mine, that would have required going under a driveway or a public garden and sidewalks
b) this WILL INCREASE the value of each unit with as EV charging becomes a mandatory amenity by most potential owners/tenants with any financial means.
3rd: the HOA should assess the implication of 20 to 40 amp at 240 volt additional load per unit and see if the central supply transformer can handle it. If not, and the condos I’m familiar with can’t, then load sharing will be needed.
4th: I recommend the HOA obtain quotes from 1 or more electricians for installing Level 2 charging stations for each unit. The owners can then select this if they want charging. The HOA should ensure it is done to code and, ideally watching out to ensure a fair cost to owners. This may include a certified load sharing automatic transfer switch if a unit’s capacity is not sufficient.
The bad news: only 1 of the 3 HOAs I’ve been involved with has done this successfully to date.
The successful one cost my relative over $10K. I’m sure it added well more than that to the condo’s future value in addition to the convenience it adds today.