A recent study by Dunsky Energy + Climate offers new insight into how existing multifamily buildings can approach EV charging. The analysis compares two common strategies and examines their impacts on both costs and the electricity system.
Although this analysis is grounded in Ontario-specific assumptions, the findings are relevant to utilities and jurisdictions across Canada. Any region with a high concentration of multi-unit buildings and growing EV adoption can draw meaningful insights from this study, particularly when it comes to planning, cost management, and long-term impacts on the electricity system.
The key takeaway: the way a building introduces EV charging today directly affects its flexibility and expenses tomorrow.
Two Ways to Integrate EV Charging, and Two Very Different Outcomes
The study highlights two approaches frequently seen in condos:
1. Adding chargers case by case
This strategy responds to requests one at a time—what we call the individual approach. It’s often the simplest option in the short term.
But Dunsky notes that it leads to:
- repeated and scattered electrical work,
- costs that accumulate over the years,
- demand peaks that become harder to manage.
2. Preparing the entire building in advance (EV-Ready approach)
The idea here is to carry out a single, coordinated upgrade to prepare all the parking spaces for the future installation of a Level 2 charging station. This is what we call the global approach.
This strategy makes it possible to:
- plan electrical work once instead of multiple times,
- reduce overall spending,
- integrate energy management technologies (EVEMS).
What the Numbers Say: the Global Approach Reduces Pressure on the Grid
One of the strongest findings in the report is how each strategy affects the electricity system.
- In a scenario where chargers are added one by one, system costs related to EV demand could increase by about 3.5% by the 2040s.
- With an EV-Ready approach, that increase drops to around 2.5%.
In other words, planning for the whole building could reduce marginal pressure on the grid by roughly 60%.
Net Benefits for All Ratepayers
The study also evaluates economic benefits between 2025 and 2050.
Here’s what it finds:
- The individual approach generates about $50 million in net benefits for ratepayers.
- The EV-Ready approach generates nearly $70 million.
This difference is largely due to:
- lower infrastructure costs,
- more predictable charging behavior,
- smoother adoption of electric vehicles.
Why These Results Matter for Condominiums
Beyond the financial data, the study shows that EV charging in multi-unit buildings isn’t just about installing chargers.
It’s primarily about planning.
Adding chargers one by one doesn’t always anticipate what the building can realistically support in the long term. As more residents switch to EVs, this approach can lead to unexpected challenges: limited electrical capacity, delays, and additional expenses.
By contrast, a global approach—when it fits the building’s reality—helps:
- maintain control over spending,
- avoid repeated electrical interventions,
- ensure fairness among co-owners,
- support a smooth transition toward electrification.
Every building is unique, of course. But the study provides valuable benchmarks to guide condo boards and property managers in their decision-making.
In Summary
Condo electrification won’t happen overnight. But one thing is clear from the report: a collective, building-wide plan can help avoid many complications and support a smoother, more durable, and more cost-effective transition for everyone.
Learn More
The full report (in English) is available here: