Charging an EV while living in an apartment

I’m buying my first EV, because I’m starting a new job that requires a lot of driving, but I also live in an apartment, so I don’t have the luxury of charging my car at home.
Where do people who can’t charge their car at home charge their car? How long does it take to charge?

You have a few options:

  • charge at work if your job offers chargers.
  • move to an apartment building that offers charging stations.
  • use public level 2 chargers nearby. Apps like PlugShare can help you find them.
  • use DC fast chargers like Tesla Superchargers or Electrify America, though they’re often more expensive than gas, especially if used frequently.

For the DC fast charge option - you are almost certainly going to pay more per mile than with a hybrid, especially if you’re relying solely on DC fast charging.

If your job requires a lot of driving (like 400 miles a week), relying on public chargers will cost a lot and take time. It might not be worth it if you can’t charge at home or work. You’d be better off with a hybrid in this case.

I’ve been working with my homeowners association for nine months to install chargers in our apartment parking lot. Hopefully voting goes well soon, wish me luck!

It depends a lot on the car you buy and the types of chargers available to you. Some EVs charge faster than others, and the availability of level 2 or DC fast chargers in your area can make a big difference.

My boss lives in an apartment and charges at work, or uses nearby public chargers. It’s doable, but it takes a little more planning and isn’t as convenient as charging at home.

I live in an apartment and use a technique called ‘charging grazing’ — I charge at places where I spend over an hour, like the gym, grocery store, or work. You’ll also have to rely on DC fast chargers for longer trips, which take about 30 minutes to charge to 80%.