How to Install EV Charging in Apartments/Condos

11 steps to a successful installation at an apartment building

If you're a condo or apartment resident (or group of residents) looking to install EV charging stations in your building, it can be difficult to know where to start. We've laid out the steps involved in the process below, and provided some helpful resources and tips along the way.

Support to get started

Need help navigating the process? You can now get up to five hours of free advice and planning assistance from an expert in EV charging and equipment.

Contact an EV Advisor

Installation steps

Step 1: Get permission

Unless you have authority over the building, it’s likely that you’ll have to get permission in order to start the process of installing EV chargers. Follow our guide to learn how to make a successful request to your strata council or building manager to have charging stations installed.

To be eligible for rebates, you’ll also need to complete the proof of approval form to validate that you have obtained permission from the individual or group with authority over the property.

Download form: Proof of approval to install electric vehicle (EV) charging [PDF, 95 KB]

Step 2: Hire an electrician

Hire a certified electrician, preferably one who has completed the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training program. You can find a qualified electrician through our Alliance of Energy Professionals.

Step 3: Select location

Determine where the chargers will be installed.

Step 4: Check your electrical system

Determine whether the electrical infrastructure in your building can accommodate the EV charging stations and make upgrades as needed.

Check to make sure you have sufficient electricity flowing into your property to support EV chargers. If you're not sure how to check your electrical capacity, you can learn by following these steps.

Step 5: Contractor consultation

For you to be eligible for charger rebates, your electrician will need to complete a contractor consultation form. Be aware that this may not be completed during their preliminary visit. You'll need to include the completed form when you submit your pre-approval application.

Download form: EV contractor consultation form for condos/apartments and workplaces [PDF, 110 KB]

Step 6: Review building rules

Review any rules and bylaws in place at your building and plan to make any changes that may be required to meet them.

To meet our rebate eligibility criteria, you’ll need to wait until you’ve received pre-approval from BC Hydro before you purchase and install chargers.

Step 7: Draft user agreement

Establish a framework for user agreements with residents. You may need to consult with a lawyer.

Step 8: Rebate pre-approval

Submit a pre-approval application to get a rebate on the purchase and installation of the charging stations.

To meet our rebate eligibility criteria, you’ll need to wait until you’ve received pre-approval from BC Hydro before you purchase or install chargers.

Apply for pre-approval: EV charger rebates for apartments and workplaces

Step 9: Select chargers

Choose and purchase EV chargers. To be eligible for charger rebates, choose a networked charger from our list of eligible chargers.

Know your options: Choosing an EV charger

Step 10: Installation

Install the EV charging station. Your electrician will ensure that the necessary permits are obtained and that the work is inspected by your municipality (or Technical Safety BC) upon completion. Your electrician needs to complete the contractor installation form after the installation is complete. You'll need this form when you apply for a rebate.

Download form: EV charger contractor installation form for apartments/condos [PDF, 114 KB]

Step 11: Rebate application

Gather your documentation and submit your application for a rebate online.

Apply now: B.C. EV charger rebate program

Installing an EV charger in an apartment garage

Electricity requirements

Does your building have enough electricity to charge EVs?

Part of determining your charging options is finding out if your building has sufficient electrical capacity to accommodate the additional load from EV charging. By using BC Hydro metering data, an engineer and/or electrical contractor can perform a load calculation to determine if your electrical system has sufficient capacity.

To gather your metering data, use the process for your building type below.

If you need to upgrade your service, learn about new electrical connections and extensions and associated connection fees.

- Request 12 months of hourly consumption data for the entire building by submitting a Request for customer load data form [PDF, 65 KB]
  Send the completed form to bassupport@bchydro.com
  
  If the request form is completed by a third party (e.g. an electrician), they must complete the indicated sections to verify that they have approval to do so
- Ask each resident to provide you with hourly consumption data for the last 12 months, which they can access via their MyHydro data export centre
- Ask the individual or group that manages the property’s common area for hourly consumption data for the last 12 months
Once you have the current electricity data, work with your electrician or engineer to determine if there is sufficient capacity remaining to support the EV charging infrastructure you’re planning to add, or if you need to modify your electrical service.

Charging considerations

Before you start the installation process, consider these things:

You’ll need to create a plan for how to allocate and share costs related to the EV chargers. These costs include the purchase and installation of the chargers, charger maintenance as needed, as well as the ongoing electricity use for charging.

There are a lot of good resources available to help your strata or residents’ group get started. You can start by visiting PlugIn BC for information, including a guide for strata properties that outlines the technology, requirements, costs, and rules associated with EV charger installation, and recommendations for how to manage these considerations.

The prices for Level 2 EV chargers vary depending on several factors, including the number of vehicles they can charge at once. To be eligible for charger rebates, choose a networked charger from our list of eligible chargers.

Once your EV chargers are installed, there are a few different ways you can track and bill electricity costs for charging for your building. Learn about apartment metering and billing costs.
EV chargers can make your building more appealing to EV drivers, and attracting these tenants or owners comes with big benefits. Installing EV charging stations for residents will:
- Attract and retain engaged residents
- Increase revenues
- Help your building meet new and emerging standards introduced by municipalities and the province
- Increase the value of the property
- Meet sustainability goals
Your building may also be interested in installing one or more Level 3 chargers for commercial use.
Condo and apartment building owners, managers, strata councils, or other building representatives who are responsible for an eligible condo or apartment in B.C., may be eligible for rebates on the purchase and installation of EV charging stations. This incentive does not apply to new construction; pre-approval is required. This incentive does not apply to new constructions, and pre-approval is required.

The amount of the rebate depends on whether the building was constructed before or after the introduction of municipal bylaws requiring EV-ready parking stalls.
- Constructed prior to municipal bylaws: Up to 50% of the purchase and installation costs of eligible, new, Level 2 (208 volt or 240 volt) charging stations or energized outlets to a maximum of $14,000 (no more than $2,000 per station and no more than $1,000 per energized outlet). Dual-port stations count as two units.
- Constructed after municipal bylaws: Up to 50% of the purchase and installation costs of eligible, new, Level 2 (208 volt or 240 volt) charging stations to a maximum of $5,000 (no more than $350 per station). Dual-port stations count as two units.
B.C.'s EV charger rebate program

How to install EV charging at an apartment