From Burden to Benefit: A Property Manager’s Guide to EV Charging

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Multifamily Developments: EV Charging Outliers

Building out a comprehensive, reliable, and accessible EV charging ecosystem has been pivotal to the success of the e-mobility movement in the U.S. Hotels (opens in a new tab), movie theaters, grocery stores, restaurants, and even national parks (opens in a new tab) have deployed charging stations to serve the growing number of all-electric patrons.

Despite the evident demand for EVs and, in turn, chargers, multifamily developments remain in the laggard category, with property managers often hesitant to invest in charging infrastructure. Their motivations, however, tend to be pragmatic, reasonable, and, in many cases, surmountable.

For starters, most multifamily properties do not have the excess electrical capacity to accommodate EV charging stations. 55% (opens in a new tab) of small‑to-medium‑multifamily housing units in the U.S. were built before 1980, limiting the capacity required to support today’s electrification needs. Complexes may require extensive and costly electrical upgrades to adequately meet these increased demands.

When added to the expense of EV charging station equipment, deploying this modern amenity becomes too expensive for landlords to justify. Additionally, property owners often worry about the tenant demand for EV charging and the ownership issues that can come with installing charging stations.

While renter interest in EVs continues to grow (opens in a new tab), homeowners remain significantly more likely to own electric vehicles—largely due to better access to home charging—reinforcing landlord concerns about installing charging infrastructure ahead of near‑term tenant demand.

Significant barriers have historically limited the deployment of on‑site EV charging in multifamily properties, with only around 5% (opens in a new tab) of U.S. rental properties currently offering this infrastructure. However, expanded incentives, utility programs (opens in a new tab), and third‑party ownership models are increasingly helping property owners deploy EV charging with little to no upfront capital or ongoing operating costs.

The Shift from Amenity to Regulatory Requirement

Given the general resistance to deploying charging-as-an-amenity due to the complications that can come with the installation process, EV-owning tenants are left frustrated, and potential EV owners are backing away from going electric in the first place.

But rather than a lack of interest, many would‑be EV buyers, particularly renters, continue to postpone adoption until they have reliable access to home charging, with roughly one‑third of consumers (opens in a new tab) citing this limitation as a reason for delaying or rejecting an EV purchase.

However, with a dynamic EV charging landscape, U.S. states have begun introducing regulatory initiatives, such as Right to Charge laws (opens in a new tab), that mandate EV charging infrastructure for new multifamily developments. While they may be construed as burdensome regulatory requirements, developers can leverage EV charging mandates into strategic business opportunities.

Many states are beginning to address the EV charging gap at the construction stage by requiring new multifamily buildings to be “EV‑ready.” These codes don’t always mandate installing chargers on day one, but they do require the underlying electrical infrastructure—such as conduit, panel capacity, and outlets—so chargers can be added later without costly retrofits.

California is the most advanced example. Under the state’s Title 24 (CALGreen) building code (opens in a new tab), new multifamily developments must provide EV‑ready parking for every dwelling unit, typically through low‑power Level 2 receptacles in assigned or common parking areas. The latest updates, effective in 2026, also increase requirements for installed chargers in shared parking, signaling a clear expectation that EV charging will be a standard residential amenity over time.

Texas does not yet have a statewide EV‑ready mandate, but local jurisdictions are moving in that direction, particularly in high‑growth metros. Austin adopted EV‑readiness requirements as part of its 2024 Energy Code (opens in a new tab), which took effect in July 2025 and applies to new multifamily construction. The ordinance requires a defined percentage of parking spaces to be EV‑capable or EV‑ready, ensuring buildings are pre‑wired to support future charging as demand grows. This local approach reflects a broader trend in Texas, where cities are using building codes—rather than state law—to prepare new apartments for EV adoption while giving developers flexibility on when and how chargers are ultimately installed

Mastering the Mechanics of Hardware and Software Integration

Successful integration of EV charging infrastructure demands a nuanced understanding of how hardware and software come together to establish the desired charging services and how those services are managed. From installation to maintenance and troubleshooting, developers face what looks like a complex landscape. Customer education is essential in multifamily properties, where concerns about ownership, aging housing stock, and the involvement of building owners or management companies in charger installation and maintenance prevail.

As with most projects, precise planning is also a prerequisite for success with EV charging. Developers must choose the right EV charging station hardware, be strategic about the number of stations and their placement, and consider the resulting power requirements to tailor configurations to the project’s specific needs—while also accounting for network connectivity, including cellular signal strength, redundancy, and long-term reliability, which are critical for charger uptime, remote management, billing, and driver experience.

On the software side, tenant access, energy pricing, app-based user and charge time management, as well as troubleshooting, support, and network management, must all be considered. Bridging the knowledge gaps between developers and site owners is important, particularly regarding how the stations are managed once switched on.

With great software and the right service providers, multifamily charging can become a low-risk and low-effort way to delight tenants while creating incremental revenue streams.

EV Charging as a Value-Enhancing Asset for Multifamily Owners

Beyond operational and resident-experience benefits, EV charging infrastructure can materially enhance the long-term value of multifamily assets—an important consideration in a market where properties frequently change hands. Multiple studies and market analyses show that residential and multifamily properties with EV charging or EV‑ready infrastructure command higher buyer interest, experience faster transaction timelines, and can achieve measurable valuation premiums at sale.

A landmark peer‑reviewed study published in Nature Sustainability (opens in a new tab) analyzed nearly 14 million residential real‑estate transactions in California from 1993–2021 and found that proximity to public EV charging infrastructure is consistently associated with higher housing prices.

• Researchers found that homes located within approximately 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) of an EV charging station sold for an average of 3.3% more than comparable homes without nearby charging access.
• Homes located around 0.25–0.3 miles (0.4–0.5 kilometers) away experienced an even larger premium of approximately 5.8%.

Access to EV charging infrastructure is being capitalized into U.S. real‑estate prices, demonstrating that charging availability is increasingly viewed as a value‑enhancing feature rather than a niche amenity.

Turning Burden into Benefit

Residential EV charging at multifamily developments is often perceived as a financial burden, but technological advancements are reshaping this view. Comprehensive plans featuring premium warranties and efficient station management can transform this liability into a valuable asset. These plans offer hassle-free stations, reliable warranties, and streamlined network management to address maintenance and operational costs concerns. By turning EV charging into a sought-after amenity, developers can boost tenant satisfaction, attract new residents, and positively impact their financial returns.

Implementing EV charging infrastructure no longer requires developers to be experts in every aspect of the underlying technology. Instead of navigating the complexities independently, developers can partner with experienced companies that offer solutions tailored to multifamily environments. This collaboration provides the freedom to select the right charging equipment, features, and installation options based on specific business needs identified by an apartment complex management group. Partnering with experts ensures a smoother transition to sustainable transportation solutions and a valuable amenity.

The transformation from viewing EV charging as a financial burden to recognizing it as an asset is within reach for developers who can differentiate themselves in the market by adopting a forward-thinking, innovative, and eco-conscious approach. Beyond compliance, they can positively impact both their business and the environment. The future of multifamily developments is electric, and the developers that embrace this change stand to reap the benefits.

FAQs about Multifamily EV Charging Implementation

What is a Right to Charge law?

A Right to Charge law gives residents or tenants the legal right to install an EV charging station at their home—typically in a designated parking space—so long as they meet reasonable safety, permitting, and cost requirements. These laws are designed to prevent landlords, HOAs, or property managers from unreasonably blocking EV charger installations, especially in apartments, condos, and other multi‑unit buildings.

Do Right to Charge laws apply to apartment buildings and multifamily properties?

Yes, in many states. While early Right to Charge laws focused on condo owners, several states now explicitly include renters and multifamily properties, meaning landlords must consider EV charging requests in good faith. Applicability varies by state, so owners should review local statutes, but multifamily housing is now a primary focus of Right to Charge policy.

Can a landlord or property owner deny a tenant’s request to install an EV charger?

Yes, but only for valid, limited reasons. Common allowable reasons include:

• Insufficient electrical capacity that cannot reasonably be upgraded
• Legitimate safety or fire‑code concerns
• Structural limitations
• Non‑compliance with permitting or insurance requirements

What landlords generally cannot do is deny a request simply because it’s inconvenient, unfamiliar, or not currently offered as an amenity.

What if the building doesn’t have enough electrical capacity?

Limited electrical capacity is one of the most common valid constraints. Property owners may:

• Require a load study
• Limit the number of chargers installed at one time
• Require load management or smart charging systems
• Propose shared or phased charging instead of individual chargers

Right to Charge laws do not usually require owners to perform major electrical upgrades if they are not technically or economically feasible.

Do Right to Charge laws apply to unassigned or shared parking?

This depends on the state and property configuration. Some laws apply only to assigned or deeded parking spaces, while others allow installations in common areas with additional coordination. In shared parking scenarios, owners often steer residents toward shared charging systems rather than individual chargers to maintain fairness and operational control.

How do Right to Charge laws differ from EV‑ready building codes?

Right to Charge laws ad EV-ready building codes each address different stages of the problem:

• Right to Charge laws deal with retrofits and resident requests in existing buildings
• EV‑ready building codes apply to new construction, requiring conduit, wiring, panel capacity, or chargers to be installed upfront

Many states now use both approaches together: EV‑ready codes for new buildings and Right to Charge protections for existing ones.

How can property developers capitalize on EV charging mandates?

Developers can set themselves apart by taking a service-oriented approach to EV charging and leveraging the many developments in charging technology to transform their projects into appealing, eco-friendly, and pro-tenant environments. By taking the lead in helping owner groups to navigate the evolving technology as well as the regulatory landscape surrounding EV charging in new developments, compliance becomes easier and developers get a competitive edge in the market.

Should property owners proactively install EV charging instead of reacting to requests?

In many cases, yes. Proactive installation can:

• Reduce administrative burden from individual requests
• Lower costs through incentives and make‑ready programs
• Improve tenant satisfaction and retention
• Future‑proof the property against regulatory changes

Many owners now adopt managed or third‑party charging models that remove upfront capital costs while maintaining control over access, billing, and maintenance.

About EV Connect

EV Connect is a full-service EV charging partner, offering end-to-end support from incentive guidance and site assessment to hardware, installation, software, warranties, and 24/7 customer support—all designed to simplify deployment and ensure long-term station reliability and performance.

Our 16+ years of charging expertise bring it all together seamlessly—all backed by Schneider Electric, the world’s most sustainable company.*

Learn more about our Multifamily EV Charging Solutions or Request a Quote today and find out why CPOs, OEMs, utilities, and more trust EV Connect to run their businesses!

*Schneider Electric was named “World’s Most Sustainable Company 2025 (opens in a new tab)” by TIME Magazine and Statista, and “World’s Most Sustainable Corporation 2025 (opens in a new tab)” by Corporate Knights.

Related Reading:

• Introducing EV Connect Software+™
• How a Commercial EV Charging Station Benefits Your Business
• Best EV Charging Station Software in 2026