Why Most EV Chargers Fail in Apartments (and What to Do Instead)
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As electric vehicles (EVs) surge in popularity, a glaring problem is emerging across the U.S.—most EV chargers simply don't work for apartment buildings. While the single-family home market has plenty of charging solutions, multifamily properties face unique challenges that traditional EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) vendors fail to address. If you're a property manager, HOA board, or real estate developer, here's what you need to know—and what to do instead.
The Real Problem with EV Charging in Apartments
Most EV charging systems are designed for homes or commercial fleets. But apartments are a different beast. Here's why typical chargers fail:
High Installation Costs: Installing traditional chargers often requires expensive panel upgrades, trenching, conduit, and labor.
Limited Power Capacity: Multifamily buildings often can't support multiple high-powered units without major electrical work.
Ongoing Maintenance: Traditional chargers come with cables that wear out, get stolen, or need replacement, adding to the headache.
Complex Billing & Access: Managing who can use a charger, when, and how they pay becomes a logistical mess.
These challenges are why many buildings install only 1-2 chargers, even when there are dozens of EV-driving residents. That’s not scalable, equitable, or future-proof.
The Smarter Alternative: Smart Outlets for EV Charging
Instead of bulky wall-mounted chargers, a growing number of properties are turning to smart outlet EV charging. These high-power outlets—like the Pando Smart Outlet, a 9.6kW NEMA 14-50 outlet from Pando Electric—offers the same performance at a fraction of the cost.
Why Smart Outlets Win:
Affordable EVSE for Multifamily: Smart outlets use existing infrastructure, avoiding costly electrical upgrades. Installation costs can be up to 70% lower than traditional chargers.
Scalable Load Management: Smart load-balancing software allows dozens of outlets to share power on limited infrastructure—no more choosing which residents get a charger.
Maintenance-Free Design: Residents bring their own cable, eliminating the need to service or replace broken charging cords.
Full Billing & Access Control: Modern smart outlets include integrated apps that automate billing, track usage, and manage access for residents and guests.
Smart Outlet vs Traditional EV Charging: A Side-by-Side
Feature | Smart Outlet (e.g. Pando) | Traditional traditional Charger |
Install Cost | $$ (Low) | $$$$ (High) |
Max Power Output | 9.6 kW | 7.2–11.5 kW |
Load Management | Yes (with software) | Yes (with software) |
Cable Included | No (BYO cable = low maintenance) | Yes (but prone to damage) |
Maintenance | Minimal | Frequent (cables, ports, screens) |
Ideal For | Multifamily, Single-family homes | Public Stations |
What Property Owners Should Do Next
Audit your current infrastructure – You may already have NEMA 14-50 outlets or the capacity to add them.
Compare true total cost of ownership (TCO) between smart outlets and traditional chargers.
Choose a vendor with property-management features, not just charging hardware.
Look for ENERGY STAR or UL-certified smart outlets to ensure compliance and incentives.
BONUS: In California, ensure your chargers are CTEP-certified to allow for the markup of kWh and earn a positive ROI and NOI.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for the best EV charger for apartments, smart outlet EVSEs—especially solutions like the Pando Smart Outlet from Pando Electric—offer the performance, affordability, and scalability that traditional chargers simply can’t match.
With demand for EV charging rising fast, the time to rethink your strategy is now. Choose tech that works for your property, not against it.
