How to Install EV Charging in Apartments/Condos

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. Luckily, you can now you get up to five hours of free advice and planning assistance from an expert in EV charging and equipment.

Contact an EV Advisor

Follow these steps to install an EV charger for use by residents in your building.

Step 1: Permission

Obtain written permission from the building owner, if necessary. If you want to be eligible for rebates, you’ll 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 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: Location

Determine where the chargers will be installed.

Step 4: Electrical system

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

Check to see if you've got sufficient electricity flowing into your property to support EV chargers. Learn about this process here.

Step 5: Consultation form

If you want to qualify for BC Hydro's charger rebate program, 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: Rules

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

Step 7: 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.

Apply now: B.C. EV charger rebate program

Step 9: Chargers

Choose and purchase EV chargers that qualify for the incentive.

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 upon completion the work is inspected by your municipality (or Technical Safety BC). Your electrician needs to complete the contractor installation form after the installation is complete. You'll need this when you apply for a rebate.

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

Step 11: Rebate

Submit a rebate application.

B.C. EV charger rebate program

Installing an EV charger in an apartment garage

Does your building have enough electricity to charge EVs?

Part of the process to determine your charging options is to find 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.

You can gather the metering data via the relevant process below.

For buildings with 10 or more units:

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 scan@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

For buildings with fewer than 10 units:

Ask each resident to provide you with hourly consumption data for the last 12 months, which they can access via the 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.

If you need to upgrade your service, learn about new electrical connections and extensions and the costs associated with these.

Other things to consider before you start:

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 few different ways you can track and bill electricity costs for charging. Learn about apartment metering and billing costs.
Making it appealing for EV drivers to become tenants or owners at your building comes with big benefits. Installing EV charging stations for residents will:
- Attract and retain engaged residents
- Increase revenues
- Help you meeting new and emerging standards introduced by municipalities and the province
- Increase the value of the property
- Meet sustainability goals
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.

The amount of the rebate depends on when the building was constructed and how this relates to 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). Dual-port stations count as two.
- 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.
B.C.'s EV charger rebate program

How to install EV charging at an apartment