25290
December 2012
High plug-in electric vehicle adoption is expected in Florida
Thousands of Floridians have purchased plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) already, and
industry analysts predict the state will continue to have among the highest PEV registrations
in the nation.
The majority of owners prefer to charge their PEVs at home
Most PEV drivers prefer the low cost and high convenience of charging at home – using a
standard household outlet or a Level-2 charging station. It takes just a few seconds to plug
in and there’s no need to wait around while the car recharges.
Residents of multi-unit dwellings (MUDs) encounter
unique challenges
PEV buyers who live in MUDs can face a number of roadblocks to gaining access to charging.
There are numerous stakeholders involved and more complex physical structures, often with
unique parking configurations. Since more than 40 percent of Southeast Florida’s dwellings
are MUDs, with particularly high concentrations in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, this is
an important challenge to address. However, if MUD charging issues cannot be overcome,
residents might try encouraging their employer to provide workplace charging access.
Prepare your multi-unit dwelling – differentiate your property
With higher than average PEV adoption rates expected in Florida, it is time for MUDs to get
prepared! Here’s what you need to know:
Overcoming the five biggest barriers to PEV charging access
at multi-unit dwellings
1. Gaining approval from building management and the homeowners’ association
» Set up an advisory committee of interested residents
» Reach out to experienced third-parties for help along the way. This includes residents
of MUDs who have successfully implemented charging policies or PEV industry
experts in your region, such as your local Clean Cities Coalition or FPL
2. Determining who is responsible for equipment and installation costs
» Poll residents to gauge their PEV purchase intent and charging needs

– Widespread interest may help justify the HOA or building management assuming
the costs

– Alternatively, the interested residents could pool their resources for a
bundled installation

– Lesser interest or significant opposition may indicate that it is best for the
interested resident(s) to assume all costs
Getting Apartments and Condos Ready
for Plug-in Electric Vehicle Charging
www.FPL.com/electricvehicles
www.DriveElectricFlorida.org
What’s the appeal
of PEVs?
1. Cost 80 percent less
to operate
2. Release 70 percent
fewer emissions
3. Help our nation achieve
energy independence by
drastically reducing oil
consumption
4. They’re FUN to drive – with
quick, quiet and smooth
acceleration, sophisticated
displays and smart phone
applications
Are PEVs practical?
Yes. Most people drive less
than 40 miles per day, which
is well within the range of
today’s electric vehicles. Or
choose a plug-in hybrid electric
vehicle and enjoy the benefits of
driving electric – with the ability
to extend your driving range by
using gasoline.
Did you know?
Driving a PEV 1,000 miles per
month and charging exclusively
at home would impact an
electric bill by about $34, while
reducing or eliminating gasoline
consumption related expenses.
($0.10 per kWh, vehicle rated at
34kwh/100 miles)
ELECTRIC
Drive
Florida
25290
December 2012
Resident expresses interest to
Building Management / HOA
Work with residents to swap
assigned parking spaces, if required
for less costly installation
Develop/finalize HOA policy:
ownership, maintenance, repayment
of common space electricity use, etc.
Share learnings and experience with
other MUDs, and residents
Poll other residents to determine interest
in PEVs to incorporate their charging needs
in installation plan
Determine type of EVSE and source
equipment – hardwired Level 1 or
110V outlet only? Networked or standard
Level 2 EVSE? Hybrid approach?
Revise installation plan and quote as
necessary – get multiple quotes for job
Mount signage, initiate new
HOA policy and begin charging!
Determine the number of Level-1 and
Level-2 charging stations needed – consider
future needs and unit turnover
Consult contractor for assessment of
electrical capacity in building, options, and
cost – consider alternative lower cost EVSE
Level 1 / Level 2 configurations
Hire contractor who obtains electrical
permit, completes installation, and calls
for inspection
City/County inspects the
completed installation
Approach for PEV
Charging Policy and
Installation at MUDs
» Engage the services of a third-party electric vehicle service provider (EVSP) to avoid
out-of-pocket installation and equipment costs
– Instead, users would pay the EVSP per charging session, or by the
kilowatt-hour consumed
3. Determining the most equitable payment system for electricity consumption
» Connect charging station to the residents’ existing electricity service meter. However,
many MUD configurations may not allow this
» Connect charging stations to the building’s common area meter – devising a system
to account for payment and usage

– Bill users precisely for usage – through smart charging equipment or
metering devices

– Charge users a flat monthly fee for PEV charging – estimating usage

– If an EVSP is selected for installation of charging equipment, users would pay the
EVSP directly and the EVSP would reimburse the HOA or building management for
electricity consumption
4. Planning the most cost-effective installations with the electricity
capacity available
»
Install Level-1 charging to maximize the amount of charging stations that can be
added with existing electrical capacity. Plus, Level-1 requires no additional equipment
other than a 120-volt outlet
» Consider a hybrid approach with Level-1 serving the needs of most residents, and
one or two pay-per-use Level-2 charging stations available in common area parking
spaces for residents and visitors
» Look for ways to lower your building’s overall electrical consumption, such as
upgrading inefficient lighting, to free electrical panel capacity for PEV charging
5. Facilitating potential changes to assigned parking for lower cost installations
» Reassign parking spaces, putting PEV charging as close as possible to the electrical
panel to avoid prohibitively expensive installations
» Alternatively, locate PEV parking spots in the MUD’s shared spaces
» Consider accessibility of PEV charging or disabled visitors and residents
Questions? For additional information about electric vehicles and charging
at multi-unit dwellings:
Web: www.FPL.com/electricvehicles | www.DriveElectricFlorida.org
Email: electric-vehicles@FPL.com | Help@DriveElectricFlorida.org
www.FPL.com/electricvehicles
www.DriveElectricFlorida.org
Did you know?
More and more PEV-owners are choosing Level-1
charging at home. That’s because it’s sufficient to
charge a PEV overnight after a typical day’s driving.
Adapted from: Balmin, Judith; et al. (2012)
“Increasing Electric Vehicle Charging Access
in Multi-Unit Dwellings in Los Angeles.” UCLA
Luskin Center for Innovation and the UCLA
Anderson School of Management. July 2012
ELECTRIC
Drive
Florida