EV Charging
Unlocking the power of HEMS
It’s all around you.
Energy costs spiralling out of control.
Sustainability — no longer a “maybe” but a “must”.
Demand for EV charging — on the rise, particularly as all new vehicles in the UK will need to be electric by 2030.
You want a solution that will help people access EV charging without significant upfront investment.
So now you’re faced with complex decisions around EV charging technology, load management, billing, installations, energy supply, maintenance, and more. You’re wondering how many more steps and time the process will take. It’s a hassle to research, let alone manage it.
This guide outlines the essential steps of EV charging installation and how to make the process as sustainable, cost-effective, and seamless as possible.
The first step is assessing demand for EV charging across the apartment buildings you manage. The easiest way to do that is by surveying residents to determine
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As personal situation, market conditions, and regulations change, so can people’s plans and desires — all of which will affect your EV charging installation plans. It is, therefore, important to make sure you ask the right questions to get the insights you need to formulate the initial plans as well as adaptable long-term strategy.
An experienced EV charge point provider will be able to assist you in this task or even take it off your hands entirely.
The number of stakeholders and suppliers involved in the process can vary considerably. In most cases, you’ll be looking at:
At this point, property managers often ask, “Couldn’t I just get our trusted electrician to set everything up?” That may not be wise. And here’s why. Getting EV charging set up in an apartment building isn’t just about buying and installing the right equipment.
You also need to:
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For best results, make sure the chosen electrician has experience with EV charging technology as well as EV charging infrastructure in apartment buildings.
For a truly future-proofed (and hassle free) EV charging installation, it’s best to opt for a partner that can manage the entire process for you, from EV charging strategy and securing government funding to installation, ongoing maintenance, and upgrades.
That way, you’ll not only save yourself a lot of time and effort throughout installation and future adjustments, but also ensure a smoother experience for your residents.
Characteristics of a top-quality supplier:
Alongside a good EV charging setup strategy, including billing, and a well-paced installation plan, this is the final part of the puzzle that will help you avoid significant upfront investment.
At the moment, there are several government funding options, such as the EV chargepoint grant and EV infrastructure grant. An experienced team of EVSE providers will be able to help you unlock government funding to part-fund the work at your site.
Before EV charge point installation can begin, you’ll need to check there are no issues or potential limitations that may impact the process. That includes:
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Make sure the electrical audit also considers the impact of potential increase in EV charge points and other equipment.
This step is critical to finding a solution that helps you to increase property value over time and ensure fair payment options for residents. The strategy should cover:
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Consider how you can future-proof EV charging against variations in energy prices. It will be helpful to install or at least prepare for alternative energy sources and have a smart EMS in place.
Powerverse user app, for example, helps residents manage their charging experience by choosing when they charge their EV, receiving suggestions on cheaper and greener charging options (which include the best times for using different energy sources), as well as making sure that they only pay for what they’ve used.
To make this process quicker and easier for everyone involved, prepare a general outline of the approach:
That way, you’ll have covered the essentials as well as paved the way for a much smoother process for approving installation plans and signing an RMC agreement later on.
This stage is about three interlinked choices: charging technology, energy management system, and payment model.
A dedicated EV charger is always a safer option than the standard 3-pin domestic plug, as it is designed to withstand consistent loads and will not put your home at risk by overheating.
There are three types of EV-side connectors:
On the side of the charge point, you’ll see:
EV charging can lead to significant incremental costs or expensive upgrades to the building’s electrical infrastructure. With a smart EMS you avoid that.
Look for an EVSE provider that offers energy and load management system that:
This level of EMS will also facilitate easier installation of additional charge points in the future.
Depending on the number of EV charge points and users, your business model, future plans, resident preferences, as well as availability and location, you may choose:
At this point, you’ll need to create and get approval of the final installation design that covers:
Once the installation design has been approved and RMC agreement signed, EV charge point installation process can begin. The duration of the process can vary from a few days to weeks, depending on the number of charge points needed and the complexity of the project.
Before opening EV charging to your residents, you’ll need to submit the new infrastructure for a final inspection that examines everything from equipment to energy supply.
As an apartment building’s manager, it will be your responsibility to ensure that all EV charge points are in good working order. That means ongoing monitoring and maintenance, hardware and software updates, as well as seeing that any issues and resident concerns are dealt with.
To save you a lot of future headache, look into maintenance procedures and costs of EVSE suppliers before making the final choice:
Powerverse, for example, uses automatic over-the-air system updates and AI to proactively monitor all EV charge points. If an issue arises, we take action, sometimes even before your residents notice it themselves.
Although there’s no one magic formula to EV charging success, there are ways to optimise for short- and long-term gains.
Here are four key considerations.
Future-proofing buildings and energy supply
Properties with EV charging show a 13% increase in value compared with the local average. But those are not just EV charge points that will affect real estate value and sustainability — it is your entire energy infrastructure.
To maximise the value and user experience:
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Create a cadence of regular assessments of the existing EV charging infrastructure and consumption from a business perspective, its impact on property value, changes in demand and energy prices, and more.
The more automated and connected this process will be, the easier your job. For that reason, Powerverse has created an ecosystem of business apps, devices, and leading energy products that connects the energy you use, generate, or store with data on tariffs, weather forecast, and other relevant information — so you can go further with what you have (or even create new revenue streams).
EMS is an effective way of solving load management challenges in apartment blocks that arise with an increase in the number of EVs. But not all energy management systems are created equal.
There are EMS that:
And there are smart EMS that:
If possible aim for the latter.
As it’s abundantly clear by now, setting up EV charging in apartment buildings can be a complex and time-consuming task.
Our advice? Combine as many steps as you can into one.
If possible, work with a provider who has considerable experience in installing EV charging in apartment blocks. This type of company will be acutely aware of your unique challenges, best practices for apartment buildings, and common mistakes to avoid.
They’ll understand your business and property portfolio and will be able tailor their offer to your needs, assist you in identifying the best approach, technology, pricing strategy, and installation design, as well as support you in making the process as cost-effective as possible.
Powerverse is a smart energy management company brought to you by global solar leader, Lightsource bp. Through its work with utilities, businesses, local communities and governments, Lightsource bp is helping meet the rising demand for affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.
Our EV charging services are:
Fully managed
From pre-setup to ongoing maintenance and consulting post-installation. We don’t just install and run, we stay to make sure you get the most out of your setup. As the charging landscape evolves, so will our solution.
Tailored to your needs
With made-to-measure, per-dwelling installation options. We listen to your needs, assess demand, existing infrastructure, and practical implications to create an EV charging solution that works for your property and residents — with installation plans that keep disruption to a minimum. And we bear the big cost upfront.
Delivered by experts with years of industry experience
With decades of industry experience to draw on, our people have an in-depth understanding of the apartment market and building management. They understand the ins and outs of EV charging, alternative energy sources, and legislation. If new regulations are to be adopted or funds made available, they’ll be on top of that. And if a unique solution needs to be found, they’re the ones to turn to.
Powered by AI for maximum control, sustainability, and convenience
At the heart of the Powerverse platform sits VESTA, our AI energy expert. She analyses your goals, needs, load management, usage, and other data. With your permission, she’ll take different steps to lower the financial and environmental impact of your energy use.
Delivered through intuitive, user-friendly technology