Start with the electrical capacity
The limiting factor is almost always available capacity at the service or the nearest panel. A load study shows how much is free. Load management — chargers that share a circuit and throttle when several cars plug in — stretches that capacity much further than one dedicated circuit per space.
Trenching and long conduit runs through parking areas are often the biggest cost. Grouping chargers near the electrical room keeps it down.
Who pays for the power
Options range from free charging as an amenity, to a flat monthly fee, to per-session billing through networked chargers. Networked billing costs more to set up and run but ties cost to use. For a small building, a monthly amenity fee is often simpler.
If the building has solar, daytime charging can use that production — helpful at offices and retail, less so at apartments where cars charge overnight.
Rebates and local programs
Some Colorado cities and utilities have offered rebates for multifamily or workplace chargers. The City of Golden, for example, listed a multifamily Level 2 rebate of up to $2,000 in 2026. The federal §30C charger credit ended for property placed in service after June 30, 2026. Check your city and utility for what’s open now.
What to do next
- 1Survey tenants to estimate how many need charging now and in three years.
- 2Get a load study of the service and the panel nearest the parking.
- 3Decide on a billing model: amenity, flat fee, or per-session.
- 4Wire extra spaces for future chargers while trenches are open.
- 5Check city and utility rebates before ordering equipment.
FAQ
Questions we hear
How many EV chargers should an apartment building start with?
Start with current demand plus a margin, and run conduit for more. Adding chargers to pre-wired spaces later is far cheaper than trenching twice.
Can tenants install their own chargers?
That’s a lease and property question. Many owners prefer to control installation so the wiring, load management and billing stay consistent.
Do Level 2 chargers need a separate meter?
Not usually. Networked chargers can track per-session use; a separate meter is only needed for some billing or utility program setups.
What does a Level 2 charger install cost?
For a single home-style install we typically run about $2,500–$3,000. Multi-charger commercial projects depend on distance, trenching and panel work, so we quote them after a site visit.