I’m really keen to buy my first EV but I live in an apartment with no charging stations. I did a search on Apple Maps for ‘charging stations’ and most of them are listed as ‘slow.’ For those who live in apartments like me, how big of a hassle is it to sit and wait 30+ minutes to charge? Should I wait until I move to a place where I can install a charger or find an apartment that has EV charging?
I also reached out to my property manager at work to ask if they’d be open to installing a charging station.
Where are the charging stations you found? If they’re at places you already go—like the gym, grocery store, or a mall—you could charge while doing other things. It depends on how much you drive and whether you need to charge daily or just once or twice a week. People I know who have EVs just get into the habit of charging when convenient. Home charging is ideal if you’re trying to save money, but it’s possible to manage without it.
You could also ask your apartment management to install chargers. Some places are open to adding them because they can make a bit of money from the tenants using them.
@olivia
Just make sure to calculate how much charging you actually need. If you use a full charge in a week, that could mean 10-12 hours of ‘slow’ charging. Do you spend that much time at those places? If not, it might become difficult long-term.
Connie said: @olivia
No apartment complex really makes a profit from EV chargers.
Some places do make a small profit. The building where I own a property is installing chargers, and the costs will be covered by a small body corp levy over 5 years. After that, they’ll charge a little extra for each use, and the building will make a small profit to cover things like insurance premiums.
I’ve had my EV for a month, and I don’t have a charger at my apartment complex. It’s been okay so far, but I don’t drive that much—maybe 100-150 miles a week. I’ve only had to wait more than 30 minutes once. I get free charging at Electrify America stations, and there’s one 6 miles away. I usually charge at places I’m already going to. You just need to plan ahead a bit more, but it’s doable.
‘Slow’ chargers are probably 6kW, which would give you 20-30 miles of range per hour. It’s not really a situation where you just sit for 30 minutes and get a full charge—that’s more for fast DC chargers. You could use these slower chargers if your commute is under 40 miles a day, but it’s not as convenient as home charging. Without a home charger, you’d probably need to use a DC fast charger regularly, especially if you drive a lot.
Jason said:
Try using the PlugShare app for more detailed info on charging stations.
PlugShare definitely gives better information than Apple Maps! You can also check apps like Electrify America and ChargePoint for more detailed data. You might need to preload funds to use them, kind of like a prepaid card.
I’ve got chargers near my home and at the grocery store. They’re 22kW AC chargers, so it’s easy to charge while I shop or do other things. Sometimes, I just leave the car there and walk home to pick it up later. It works well for me, but I know not everyone has this setup.
Use PlugShare to find charging stations in your area. Public charging is definitely doable, but it’s easier if you can incorporate it into your routine, like charging while you’re shopping or at the gym. Some EVs, like Hyundai and Mercedes, come with free charging credits, which makes it less of a hassle.
I know a few people who live in apartments and don’t have home charging. They just charge when they’re out and about, like while shopping or working out. It’s not too bad if you can work it into your routine.
With EVs, you have to change how you think about ‘refueling.’ You won’t need to charge to 100% every time, and it’s rarely necessary. Home charging is definitely easier, but it’s manageable if you can find charging stations at places you already visit.
If you’re going for public charging, make sure to get an EV that can charge quickly—at least 150kW—and one that can use Tesla chargers. That way, you’ll have access to more charging options. Also, don’t rely on ‘slow’ charging too much, as it can take a long time if you’re driving a lot.
I know people who charge their EVs using a regular outlet with an extension cord from their apartment. It’s not ideal, but it works in a pinch if you can park close enough. There are also ‘right to charge’ laws in some areas that help tenants get access to charging.
It depends on how much you drive and where you live. I have a couple of Level 2 chargers within a 10-minute walk from my apartment, and the grocery store near me has a fast charger. I usually plug in once a week overnight, and it’s not too inconvenient.
Try asking your apartment complex to install a charger, or see if they’d let you install a 14-50 NEMA outlet. It might take some persistence, but it could make things a lot easier.
Download PlugShare for better maps and pricing info. You’ll also want to calculate your charging costs to make sure getting an EV makes financial sense for you right now.
If you can plug in at home with just a regular outlet (Level 1), that could add 40-50 miles overnight. That might be enough for average driving. Look around and see if you can find a place to plug in at work or home.