To install charging stations in a multi-residential building, you must first identify the power source for the chargers and determine how the electricity will be billed. Answering these few questions can bring forward details of a solution adapted to your building context.

Once the solution has been identified, it is necessary to choose an installation approach. Visit this page for details of possible approaches.

Answer these questions can guide you towards the best solution for your building context.

Many fear an unmanageable mess of cables in the parking garage with the addition of electric vehicle chargers. In an effort to avoid the spaghetti monster, we recommend employing a few preventative measures depending on the installation approach selected by the building:

For an individual deployment we recommend selecting one electrical contractor who is mandated for all EV charging installations. By offering exclusivity, the electrician will be given the opportunity to clearly plan the project as to not hinder any future installations.

If the building is rather large, it is sometimes better to hire a consultant to develop a global installation strategy. With this strategy, it will be possible to identify whether certain structural components (wall space additions, new openings, cable trays, etc.) are necessary to ensure harmonious installations. It will then be possible to propose a phased project for the electric vehicle chargers at a general assembly that is actionable and efficient.

Depending on the size of the complex, the information process can take several forms.

In small complexes, it is possible to form a committee so that each member of it has a meeting with some of the tenants. This approach has the advantage of ensuring that all residents are informed of the project and have the opportunity to get answers to their questions before a general meeting. However, this approach requires a time investment from one or more people.

In larger complexes it is possible to send a form, to be return to the board, explaining the options available so that everyone can make an informed decision. This option has the advantage of requiring less resources. However, there is no guarantee that the tenants will take the time to read the form, complete it, and sent it back which may require subsequent management for the collection of forms.

It’s important that you reach out by phone, and not only over email.

Often, electrical contractors are involved too early in the process. They are frequently called upon to participate in several meetings to answer board questions without having an idea on timeframe for the work. It’s not uncommon for entrepreneurs to become unincentivized and decide to withdraw from charging installation project when faced with a long approval process.

Instead, hire a consultant if you believe that your complex has specific technical issues or that you have several questions about the installation of EV chargers. This will provide the Board with pertinent answers and will then give the electrical contractor a specific installation mandate.

As you’re probably aware, changes often occur on condominium boards. In order to ensure that the information-seeking work for the installation of charging stations is accessible to future administrators we strongly recommend that you set up a charging policy. This policy will serve as a reference document and will prevent the work of seeking information on the installation of charging stations from being repeated.

When there are indoor parking spaces arranged on several floors in the building, piercing the concrete is generally necessary to pass the wiring if the electrical room is not at the same level as the parking space seeking EV charging. In this context, we recommend scanning the slab before authorizing any drilling. It is possible to adopt the individual approach or the global approach to do the scanning and drilling.

Individual Approach
With the individual approach, when a tenants wants to install an EV charger in their parking space then they cover all costs related to sweeping the slab and drilling through it.

Global Approach
With this approach the work can be broken down into two stages. It’s possible for the board to take undertake of the sweep and drill work in part or in full.

It is possible to support only the slab scanning step in order to strategically plan the drilling areas. Subsequently, a tenant who wants to install a charger will have to manage the drill work at their expense.

In addition to the scanning step, it is also possible to take charge of piercing. At that time, the board drilled holes in strategic places of fairly large diameters through which all the supply conduits would eventually pass.

Using this approach minimizes installation costs and ensures harmonious path for the conduits.

When an asphalt pavement separates the parking spaces from the electrical room excavation is generally necessary to pass the wiring to the parking spaces. To do this excavation it’s possible to take the individual approach or the global approach.

Individual Approach

With the individual approach, when a tenant wants to install a charger in their parking space they assumes all the costs related to excavation and backfilling.

Global Approach

With the global approach it’s possible for the board to take charge of the excavation and have the necessary piping or supplies installed for all the parking spaces affected by this separation. Using this approach helps minimize installation costs and recurrence of work.

If you plan to redo your parking lots in the coming years, this can be a good opportunity to plan the necessary components.

If no surface is nearby to mount the charging stations it’s possible to have pedestals installed to mount them. An electrical contractor can present the options available to you.

In a context where outdoor parking spaces are not close to electricity meters it’s possible to make additions to the infrastructure to supply the charging stations. Take a look at this page on Inaccessible Meters.