Multifamily Charging
Multifamily property funded by Washington State's Climate Commitment Act
Adopt a Charger was awarded funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce WAEVCP grant in 2024.
The funding underwrites the installation of EV chargers at 70 multifamily properties in Washington State. This effort supports the state's clean energy goals by reducing transportation emissions, improving air quality, and making charging more accessible.
Our goal is to combat the lack of charging infrastructure, address "range anxiety," and prepare for the state's future mandate on phasing out gasoline-powered cars.
Industry efforts to promote DCFC hubs, the most expensive charging scenario, does not provide an equitable solution for renters. Our belief is that residents in apartments should have access to low-cost power overnight, just like residents of single-family housing who wake up every morning to a full charge. A consumer is highly unlikely to consider an electric vehicle without access to home charging.
Transportation contributes more GHG emissions than any other sector of the U.S. economy. Electric vehicles are essential to GHG reductions in transportation, and switching from a gasoline powered car to electric drive is one of the easiest and most effective ways an individual can reduce their carbon footprint.
Multifamily properties lag in EV adoption primarily due to the high costs and logistical challenges of installing charging infrastructure, including limited electrical capacity, expensive upgrades, and limited parking space. Additionally, issues like shared parking, complex billing for shared amenities, and a lack of investment motivation for property owners create further obstacles to widespread EV adoption in these buildings.
Our goal is to create a solution that is in the best interest of the site host, the EV driver, and the funding agency. Residents of multi-unit dwellings are currently driving for Uber and Lyft and have requested access to EV charging. There will be a large number of EVs coming off lease in the next few years, providing the used car market with affordable options. We want to ensure that everyone is able to benefit.
As we complete the installations from round one, we are happy to share that we have been awarded funding from round two to facilitate the installation of EV charging at 25 sites between King County Housing Authority (KCHA) and Seattle Housing Authority (SHA). Adopt a Charger will be working with our stakeholder partners, Resound Energy Solutions, KCHA, and SHA to go beyond just offering charging and providing outreach and education to residents to help them understand the benefits and cost savings associated with driving electric.
Adopt a Charger is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.