INCREASING ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING ACCESS AT MULTI-UNIT DWELLINGS: WORKSHOP SUMMARY REPORT

This report summarizes a 2020 workshop on the barriers to electric vehicle (EV) charging access in California's multi-unit dwellings (MUDs). It identifies key obstacles such as outdated electrical infrastructure, split incentives between landlords and tenants, and restrictive parking zoning. Proposed solutions include 'make-ready' utility investments, updated building codes, and the adoption of lower-cost Level 1 charging to ensure equitable access for low- and moderate-income residents.

• Multi-unit dwelling (MUD) residents face significant barriers to EV adoption compared to single-family homeowners, with charging access at MUDs not exceeding 40 percent. This is a critical issue for California's decarbonization goals because nearly 50 percent of the state's population lives in MUDs, and approximately 20 to 25 percent of the light-duty vehicle fleet is located at these residences.
• Physical and regulatory on-site challenges hinder the installation of charging infrastructure in existing MUDs. Key obstacles include outdated electrical service that may require costly upgrades, and the risk that installing chargers will trigger mandatory building code updates for unrelated parts of the structure, making projects financially unfeasible.
• Split incentives between building owners and tenants create a financial deadlock. Owners often lack a return on investment for installing infrastructure, while tenants cannot make the capital investment decisions. The report suggests aligning these incentives through revenue-sharing models, such as a fixed monthly charging fee.
• Parking constraints and zoning laws further complicate MUD charging. Assigned parking makes it difficult to provide equal access without installing chargers at every stall, and existing parking minimums often compete for space with charging infrastructure.
• Proposed solutions include a mix of utility, local government, and technology-based interventions. These include 'make-ready' investments by utilities to install basic electrical infrastructure, more stringent EV-ready building codes for new construction (such as Berkeley's reach code), and the use of Level 1 charging to reduce costs and grid impact.
• Equity is a central challenge, as MUD residents are more likely to live in disadvantaged communities and have lower incomes. The report emphasizes that equity must be an ongoing practice involving the affected populations in the design process, rather than just a commitment, to avoid disproportionately benefiting wealthier Californians.

APA

BALDWIN, S., MYERS, A., & O’BOYLE, M. (2020). INCREASING ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING ACCESS AT MULTI-UNIT DWELLINGS: WORKSHOP SUMMARY REPORT. Energy Innovation. https://energyinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/Increasing-Electric-Vehicle-Charging-at-Multi-Unit-Dwellings_FINAL3.pdf

Chicago

BALDWIN, SARA, AMANDA MYERS, and MICHAEL O’BOYLE. INCREASING ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING ACCESS AT MULTI-UNIT DWELLINGS: WORKSHOP SUMMARY REPORT. Energy Innovation, 2020. https://energyinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/Increasing-Electric-Vehicle-Charging-at-Multi-Unit-Dwellings_FINAL3.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=BALDWIN |first1=SARA |last2=MYERS |first2=AMANDA |last3=O’BOYLE |first3=MICHAEL |title=INCREASING ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING ACCESS AT MULTI-UNIT DWELLINGS: WORKSHOP SUMMARY REPORT |publisher=Energy Innovation |date=September 2020 |url=https://energyinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/Increasing-Electric-Vehicle-Charging-at-Multi-Unit-Dwellings_FINAL3.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{baldwin2020increasing, author = {BALDWIN, SARA and MYERS, AMANDA and O’BOYLE, MICHAEL}, title = {{INCREASING ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING ACCESS AT MULTI-UNIT DWELLINGS: WORKSHOP SUMMARY REPORT}}, institution = {Energy Innovation}, year = {2020}, month = sep, url = {https://energyinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/Increasing-Electric-Vehicle-Charging-at-Multi-Unit-Dwellings_FINAL3.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }