⚡ Installing a Home EV Charging Station Just Got Easier ⚡
November 1, 2019 9:00 AM
by Ariana Vito
Do you know that California state law (AB 1796) requires landlords to approve tenant requests to install EV charging stations in their dedicated parking spaces if they are willing to pay for them? Previously, this law required tenants to obtain a $1 million insurance policy, which often prevented tenants from being able to take advantage of this legislation. A recently passed bill (SB 638) removes this insurance requirement, making it one step easier for renters to install charging stations at their homes.
“Santa Monica began working on EV chargers for renters a decade ago with then-State Senator Ellen Corbett from the Bay area." said Santa Monica Councilmember Kevin McKeown. "However our local State Senator Ben Allen’s bill, just signed by Governor Newsom, finally opens the door to rent-controlled tenants who can’t afford onerous and unnecessary additional insurance coverage.”
6 Steps to Charging an EV in Your Apartment or Condo in Santa Monica
|
1. Decide what level of charging works best for you – level 1 or level 2. A level 1 charge is provided by a standard 120-volt outlet and typically does not require any additional costs. A level 2 charge requires a 240-volt outlet (e.g. the outlet used for your clothes dryer) and requires additional investment in a charging unit and the electrical infrastructure. |
Refer to the table below to determine which level of charging will work best for you based on your vehicle’s battery size and your typical driving patterns. If your car is parked for 10-12 hours overnight and you drive well under 50 miles per day, a level 1 charge may work for you. If a level 2 charging station is needed, proceed to the steps below!
Table source: ChargePoint, Inc. A Quick Guide to Fast Charging, pg. 3
|
2. Check with your property manager to see if there is available electrical capacity to install a charging station. If there isn’t, the panel may need to be upgraded. In some cases, new load management technologies can mitigate the need for an upgrade. |
| 3. Apply to the City’s Multi-Unit Dwelling EV Charging Station Rebate Program. Receive up to $1,000 for the cost of the charging station and installation for standard applications, or up to $1,500 for qualifying low-income applications. |
| 4. Select a contractor. |
| 5. Select your charging equipment. There is a range of functionality offered by various charging equipment. Common choices include the ClipperCreek HCS-40, the JuiceBox Pro 40, the Siemens VersiCharge, and the CharegPoint Home Flex. “Smart” chargers such as the JuiceBox and ChargePoint stations are WiFi connected and offer the ability to monitor charge rates and energy use from a phone app or computer. |
| 6. Work with your contractor to obtain a permit and install the station. Receive your rebate check after completing the rebate program steps and submitting all required documentation. |
Start charging away!
Authored By
Ariana Vito
Sustainability Analyst