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Request EV charging in your condo or strata building

How to get your strata on board

If you live in an apartment or condo that doesn't have EV charging stations or needs additional parking spots for EV charging, you're probably wondering about the best way to approach your building manager or strata council to get EV charging installed. We're here to help you prepare your request.

Resident gathering info about EV drivers

Preparing your request

    • What kind of charging do you need? Is Level 1 sufficient or do you need Level 2?
    • Find out more about choosing an EV charger
    • What kind of access is required? Will the charging happen in a private or shared stall(s)? Will it be open to any EV driver?
    • What is the distance between where you want to park your EV and an electrical outlet?
    • Does your building already have EV charging? Talk to the people using the charging station to understand what the installation process was.
    • Is there an existing EV policy in your building? If there is, get a copy and read it so that you know the process.
    • Do other people in your building also want EV charging? The more people who are interested, the more convincing your request will be.

    If you’re working on a larger project to make your building EV Ready – where every parking space has a junction box capable of providing Level 2 charging – you may want to look into the options for professional support at this stage. An EV advisor can give you advice, and rebates are now available for the cost of getting an EV Ready plan made by an electrical contractor. 

  • With the information you've gathered, you're ready to submit a written request for EV charging to your building manager or strata council.

    You should indicate what charging station is needed – Level 1 or Level 2 – and where the charger will be located. You'll need to indicate the construction and installation implications for your preferred options.

    You can also explain the additional benefits that come with installing EV charging:

    • Revenue options that could include fixed-fee EV charging, installing a separate account for EV charging, or selecting a networked charger that is able to track the amount of electricity used by an individual.
    • EV charging stations can also add value to the building by retaining existing residents, attracting new ones and increasing real estate values.

    Make sure your building manager or strata council know about the EV charging rebates available for apartment/condo buildings, which provides funding for EV chargers and related infrastructure.

  • Approval of your request must come from the building owner or strata council. Depending on the specific bylaws and rules, stratas may need to get approval from homeowners. You should work with your strata council to inform homeowners about all the benefits of having EV charging stations.

    Make sure the EV charger agreement is in writing, and consider including the following information:

    • Who owns the charger?
    • Who will arrange the purchase and installation of the equipment?
    • Who will pay for it?
    • Who will pay for charger maintenance?
    • How will the cost of electricity be paid for?

    Once the agreement is in place, the installation can begin to be arranged. A certified electrician who has completed the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training program should be hired to do any wiring and installation. They'll take care of getting any permits and will arrange for the required inspection. You can find a qualified electrician through our Alliance of Energy Professionals.

    If you’re planning on applying for rebates, you’ll need to get pre-approval from BC Hydro before purchasing chargers or doing any electrical work. 

Rebates

EV charging rebates are available for apartment/condo buildings

There are two provincial rebate options available to help apartment and condo buildings support EV charging. There’s the EV Ready option, which is a set of three cohesive rebates for your project: creating an EV Ready plan for your building, installing the electrical infrastructure to implement your plan, and purchasing and installing the chargers to implement your plan. Or, there’s the option of the standalone EV charger rebate. 

Learn more about rebates for apartment/condo buildings

Other options

What if your request for a Level 2 EV charger is denied?

You don't need a Level 2 charging station to power your EV. You can use a Level 1 charger plugged into a standard three-pronged outlet. It just takes longer to charge.

Also, many people manage to own an EV without charging at home by taking advantage of charging stations at work or at one of the more than 1,000 publicly available chargers in B.C., including a growing network of fast charging stations.

Find a charging station near you and learn all about BC Hydro's fast charging network

Related content

How to install EV charging at an apartment

Follow the checklist

EV charging rebates for apartment and condo buildings

Apply for pre-approval

Our role with electric vehicles

Learn about it

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Rebates for single-family homes

If installed at a single-family home, this charger may be eligible for a rebate of up to 50% of purchase and installation costs to a maximum of $350. 

This includes duplexes or townhouses with private garages or dedicated parking.  Rebate amounts are subject to change. Visit the EV charger rebate program for information and eligibility criteria.

If installed at an apartment/condo or workplace, this networked charging equipment may be eligible for a rebate. 

Rebates for apartments/condos

The rebate amount depends on when the building was constructed with respect to municipal bylaws requiring EV-ready parking stalls.

Constructed prior to municipal bylaws: Up to 50% of purchase and installation costs to a maximum of $14,000 (up to $2,000 per station and up to $1,000 per energized outlet). 

Constructed after municipal bylaws: Up to 50% of purchase and installation costs to a maximum of $5,000 (up to $350 per station). 

Rebates for workplaces

Up to 50% of purchase and installation costs to a maximum of $14,000 (up to $2,000 per station). 

Pre-approval from BC Hydro is required for apartment/condo and workplace customers. 

Rebates for single-family homes

If installed at a single-family home, this charger may be eligible for a rebate of up to 50% of purchase and installation costs to a maximum of $350.

This includes duplexes or townhouses with private garages or dedicated parking. 

Rebate amounts are subject to change. Visit the EV charger rebate program for information and eligibility criteria.

Features

Load management: Allows multiple EV chargers to share the same electrical circuit, allowing the charging power to be distributed across each charger.

Networked: Connected to a central system via the internet to provide benefits such as real-time  software updates, billing controls, and tracking to get insights into your electricity consumption. 

Multiple ports: Allows multiple vehicles to charge at the same time.

CSA Certification: Tested and certified electric vehicle charging and components by CSA Group. 

cETL Certification: Compliant with North American safety standards and tested/certified by Intertek.

cUL Certification: Compliant with Canadian safety standards by UL Canada.

Breaker Current

Every circuit breaker has specified amperage (amount of current). The rating is the labelled on the breaker. Understanding your electrical service and panel is important in determining the type of EV charger you can support.

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