What’s the Biggest Challenge for EV Charger Installation in Apartments or Condos ?

As electric vehicles (EVs) become more popular in Finland and around the world, many EV owners want the convenience of charging their cars at home. But for people living in shared buildings—like condominiums or apartment complexes—the process isn’t always smooth. While EV charger installation in condos or apartments is increasingly in demand, the road to implementation often hits a major roadblock: electricity load capacity.

So, what exactly is the biggest challenge stopping multi-unit homes from joining the EV revolution? It’s not bureaucracy, aesthetics, or even cost—it’s the building’s limited electrical infrastructure. At KotiCharge, we’ve made it our mission to change that.

Why EV Charger Installation in Condos or Apartments Is More Complex

In detached homes, EV charger installation is fairly straightforward. But in condos or apartments, there are several unique hurdles that residents must consider:

• Shared infrastructure: Unlike a single-family home, apartments rely on a shared electrical system designed decades ago, not for high-capacity charging. 
• Limited decision-making power: Residents must get permission from housing associations or building management. 
• No dedicated parking spots: Many apartment buildings don’t have personal garages or reserved spots. 
• Upfront costs and uncertainty: Building-wide upgrades can be costly and disruptive, leading to delayed approvals. 

These complexities often discourage residents from moving forward. However, the core issue behind most of these barriers boils down to one technical problem: electricity load.

The Real Barrier: Electricity Load

The phrase “electricity load” refers to how much power a building’s electrical system can handle at once. Most older condos and apartment buildings were not built with EV charging in mind. Their electrical panels and distribution systems have limited capacity, already split between lighting, elevators, heating, and individual apartments.

Let’s break it down:

• A standard 22 kW EV charger can draw as much power as an entire apartment during peak use. 
• Installing multiple chargers in the same building without proper management can overload the system, causing outages or requiring expensive grid upgrades. 
• Utility providers may require load analysis and even limit approval based on projected usage. 

This is why EV charger installation in condos or apartments is often delayed or rejected. The fear of overloading the system leads to hesitation—both from residents and building managers.

How KotiCharge Solves the Load Challenge

At KotiCharge, we specialize in smart EV charger installation in condos or apartments that work with your building’s existing limitations—not against them. Our approach avoids costly electrical upgrades through advanced load management.

Here’s how we do it:

1. Dynamic Load Balancing
   Our technology monitors the total electricity use of the building in real time. When an EV is charging, it automatically adjusts charging speed to prevent system overload. 
2. Intelligent Scheduling
   We help building residents schedule EV charging during off-peak hours, reducing stress on the grid and lowering electricity costs. 
3. Scalable Solutions
   KotiCharge’s system grows with your building. Start with one charger, then expand to five, ten, or more without needing new infrastructure. 
4. Building-Friendly Proposals
   We provide full documentation, technical assessments, and ready-to-share proposals that make it easy for housing associations to say “yes.”

This means residents get the convenience of home charging, and building managers avoid system failures or large upgrade bills. It’s a win-win. For more detail about us, you can read more our blog “What sets KotiCharge apart?”

What to Ask Your Condo Board or Landlord

If you’re an EV owner living in an apartment or condo, here’s how to get started with EV charging:

• Do we have assigned parking spots? 
• Has the building done a load capacity assessment? 
• Are other residents also interested in EV chargers? 
• Would the housing board be open to a smart charging proposal from KotiCharge? 

Even if you’re the first resident to ask, our team can help guide the conversation and provide support throughout the process.

Remember: EV charger installation in condos or apartments isn’t just possible—it’s increasingly expected. And early adopters tend to benefit most.

Conclusion: The Barrier is Real—But So is the Solution

Electricity load is the biggest challenge when it comes to EV charger installation in condos or apartments. But that doesn’t mean it’s a dead end. Thanks to modern solutions like dynamic load balancing and scalable smart chargers, the barrier is no longer a blocker—it’s a solvable problem.

At KotiCharge, we’re helping Finnish residents and housing boards overcome these technical hurdles without major infrastructure changes. Whether you’re just exploring your options or ready to take action, we’re here to help you power your EV future—right from home.

Contact KotiCharge today to learn more about EV charger installation in condos or apartments and request a free consultation.