6 Steps to Follow When Installing an EV charger in a Condo

The demand for electric vehicles is on the rise, thanks to the growing concern for the environment and the ever-increasing cost of gas worldwide and in Canada particularly. For those living in detached homes the process is fairly easy: you buy an off-the-shelf charger, call an electrical services company, get all the necessary permits (or outsource this headache to the electrical company) and voila, you have constant power access to charge your green car. But how about those who live in a condo? Can they have a charging station in their building too? The process of getting an EV charger installed in a condominium is slightly different, but it’s just as possible. Let’s explore all the steps involved in installing an EV charging station in a condo or strata housing. 

What are the steps involved in installing an EV charger in a condominium?

• Obtain all necessary permits. If you are a resident, the first thing you will inevitably need is the permit from the condo board. If you are a rep from a condo board looking to install an EV charging station, inquire from the local electrical regulating bodies what kind of permits are required for EV charger installation in the building. 

• Check on the existing electrical system. Find out whether the electrical infrastructure of the condo can handle the extra electrical load from the charger. Some older buildings don’t have enough electrical capacity to accommodate extra load. In such cases, the condo board may offer a solution. 

• Hire an electrical service company. It is recommended to hire a licensed electrician in Toronto who is experienced in installing EV chargers in condominiums and multi-unit buildings. A.S. Electrical is a trusted electrical company serving residential and commercial clients in Toronto and the GTA. We are dedicated to green living and know all the ins and outs of installing EV charging stations in residential buildings, be it a house garage or a multi-unit complex. 

• Find out if you are eligible for rebates. The city of Toronto launched the Electric Vehicle Charging initiative and offers incentives to multi-unit residential buildings for installing EV chargers of different levels. Read more about the incentive here. There are a number of other funding programs available to condo managers and owners. Take your time to do research and submit applications. 

• Buy a charger. The market of electric vehicle chargers is booming these days. Aside from Tesla chargers, other manufacturers like Flo, Sun Country Highway, ABB, Bosch, and Leviton etc. offer durability and fast charging times. 

• Install the charging unit. After all the above-mentioned aspects are completed, schedule the installation with the electrical services company. It is worth mentioning that many companies offer a comprehensive service package where aside from conducting existing infrastructure assessments, they also apply for all the permits and do all the paperwork on your behalf. This saves lots of time for both a condo owner and a manager. 

Does your condo building have enough electrical capacity to accommodate a charging station?

The first and most important step in installing an EV charger in a condominium is to determine  whether the condo building can accommodate an additional EV charging unit. A.S. Electrical can conduct an audit to assess a building’s energy consumption. By installing a data logger and running it for a week, we can obtain a detailed log of that building’s energy habits and power information.

If you need advice on how to install an electric vehicle charger in a house garage, read our blog on the steps to follow when installing an EV charger at home.