As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to rise in popularity, Homeowners Associations (HOAs) face the intricate task of incorporating EV charging infrastructure into their communities.
This integration often leads to conflicts between HOA boards and EV-driving residents, given the logistical complexities of providing an amenity that is not yet universally used.
This article aims to shed light on these fundamental challenges and offer solutions.
Installation Considerations
The key to the successful installation entails assessing the property’s electrical capacity, aligning the property for future growth, and ensuring compliance with safety and legal standards.
Achieving consensus among residents around installing EV chargers, especially in communities with diverse viewpoints, is another critical aspect. These challenges require a thorough understanding of the HOA’s physical and community dynamics.
The beginning phases of EV charger integration in HOA communities often involves working together with a team of EV defenders and EV reluctants to ensure that the installation not only meets technical and safety standards, but also aligns with the residents’ needs and expectations.
This holistic approach helps in creating a harmonious transition to an EV-supportive environment, fostering a sense of community involvement and cooperation.
Financial Aspects of EV Charging in HOAs
A primary consideration in HOA EV charging setups is determining who bares the financial responsibility.
In the Ownership Model, the HOA owns and operates all charging equipment. This model allows the HOA to control charging rates and collect generated revenue.
The Vending Machine Model, in exchange for a lower upfront investment, delegates administration and revenue collection to a third party like CityVitae. This model is ideal for HOAs preferring minimal involvement in the management process while still providing a valuable amenity to its residents.
For both models, the management of the entire operation will be done with information technology (IT) provided by the vendor. This includes an app, reporting system, remote operation, predictive maintenance, 24/7 client service, and monitoring.
When choosing a business model for HOA EV charging, the most important factor is selecting a vendor who provides an end-to-end solution rather than just selling or redistributing products or software. Partnering with a charging provider like CityVitae not only simplifies the installation and management of EV charging technology, but also provides ongoing support and expertise to enhance the long-term value of the charging amenities.
To learn more about EV charging business models, check out this article.
Maximizing Electrical Efficiency
CityVitae’s technology ensures the optimal distribution of power, delivering the right amount of power to the right station at the right moment, based on various factors. For example, our intuitive technology knows to prioritize power allocation to a near-empty battery over one that is almost full.
Smart Charging plays a crucial role in HOA EV charging systems — managing energy demand, maximizing energy distribution, reducing operational costs, and enhancing user experience. CityVitae’s Smart Charging Technology enables the system to handle up to twice as many drivers as standard charging solutions with the same electrical capacity.
CityVitae’s technology has many ways to track power across a charging system, depending on use. For example, we can track power consumed for charging in common area outlets, allowing HOAs to properly bill their residents for charging in public areas.
What may be seen as an insurmountable limitation in other systems, CityVitae can overcome with cutting-edge technology and personalized service.
Executive Summary
The journey to integrate EV charging in HOAs transcends technical installation; it’s about building a forward-thinking charging strategy.
Partnering with an end-to-end service provider like CityVitae is crucial in navigating the complexities of EV charger installation, empowering property managers to create an infrastructure that is both sustainable and tailored to their community’s specific needs.
Without the expertise and support of a full-service provider, HOAs might face challenges such as inefficient power utilization, escalating operational costs, and lack of support when trying to expand their charging infrastructure in the future.
This holistic approach, coupled with CityVitae’s adaptable technology, provides property managers with a comprehensive solution that addresses various challenges, ultimately leading to a sustainable and efficient charging environment for residents.
