Can I install an EV charger in an apartment building?

Installation in an apartment building is usually possible, but it needs planning in three areas. First, the power supply: the charger can be connected to your own apartment's supply, with a cable run to the parking space, or to a separate supply. The capacity of the supply and the distance from the distribution board determine the cable size and the extent of the work.

Second, agreement with the building management or the owners' meeting on routing the cable through common areas and on the charger's location. Third, a study by a licensed electrician, who will check whether the supply can handle the additional load and specify the correct protection, such as a residual current device of a type suitable for EV charging.

When several residents are interested, it is worth considering a shared solution with load balancing from the start. The chargers then share the available power, and the supply does not need to be upgraded for each new station.

A common mistake is a hurried installation for a single charger that cannot be expanded later. Plan conduits and space in the distribution board for future charging points from the start.