10 Common Mistakes Housing Companies Make When Installing EV Chargers

Electric vehicles, often abbreviated as EVs, are no longer a futuristic concept. They are quickly becoming mainstream as car manufacturers, governments, and consumers shift toward sustainable transport. This change directly impacts housing companies. Tenants increasingly expect EV chargers, which are the stations that allow electric vehicles to recharge their batteries, to be available where they live. Having charging facilities is now seen as a valuable amenity, similar to high-speed internet or secure parking.

For housing companies, installing EV chargers can bring significant advantages. They can attract and retain tenants, increase property value, and demonstrate commitment to sustainability goals. Yet, the process is not as simple as buying and plugging in equipment. Without proper planning and foresight, housing companies risk wasting money, creating logistical challenges, or even disappointing the very tenants they hope to please.

Below, we explore the ten most common mistakes housing companies make when installing EV chargers and explain how each of them can be avoided with smarter, future-oriented decisions.

1. Underestimating Tenant Demand for EV Chargers

One of the earliest mistakes many housing companies make is assuming that only a small percentage of residents will ever need EV chargers. While it may be true that not every tenant currently drives an electric vehicle, adoption is rising quickly. According to the International Energy Agency, global sales of electric cars grew by 35 percent in 2023 alone. If companies install too few chargers today, they may find themselves facing urgent and expensive upgrades tomorrow when more tenants request charging access. Planning for scalability, rather than just current needs, is critical.

2. Skipping Electrical Capacity Assessments

Every building has a maximum amount of electrical power it can safely distribute. Installing EV chargers without assessing this capacity can lead to power overloads, frequent outages, or expensive retrofits. A professional load assessment ensures the building can support new charging infrastructure. Some providers, such as KotiCharge, also offer smart load management systems that distribute electricity across multiple chargers to prevent overloading and reduce energy costs.

3. Choosing the Wrong Type of Chargers

Another frequent error is selecting the wrong kind of charging equipment. EV chargers come in several types: Level 1 chargers, which use a standard outlet but are extremely slow; Level 2 chargers, which provide a faster and more practical charging speed for residential use; and DC fast chargers, which can charge a vehicle very quickly but require heavy infrastructure investments. Housing companies sometimes overspend on fast chargers that are unnecessary for overnight use, or they install slow chargers that frustrate tenants. For most residential buildings, Level 2 chargers strike the right balance between affordability and tenant satisfaction.

4. Failing to Future-Proof Infrastructure

A short-sighted approach to installation is one of the costliest mistakes. Some housing companies only install one or two EV chargers without preparing the rest of the parking structure for future expansion. This often leads to repeated construction work and wiring upgrades later, which is disruptive and expensive. The better approach is to make the building “EV-ready” by installing conduits and additional capacity from the beginning, even if only a few chargers are initially activated.

5. Placing Chargers in Inconvenient Locations

The location of EV chargers matters as much as the quantity. Tenants are less likely to use chargers that are placed in remote, dark, or difficult-to-access areas of a garage or parking lot. In some cases, poor placement can even create safety concerns. Housing companies should think of chargers as a tenant-facing amenity, not just a utility. Ideally, they should be installed in visible, well-lit, and secure areas that are easy for residents to access when they arrive home.

6. Overlooking Payment and Billing Models

Providing free electricity may seem like a generous option, but it often causes disputes among tenants and increases operating costs. Without a structured billing system, some residents may use chargers excessively while others feel disadvantaged. Smart EV chargers with integrated billing functions solve this problem by ensuring tenants pay fairly for the electricity they consume. KotiCharge, for example, includes automated tenant billing features that remove the administrative burden from housing companies.

7. Ignoring Load Balancing Technology

When several tenants charge their EVs at the same time, the building’s electricity demand can spike. This may trigger higher utility bills through what are known as demand charges, which are penalties applied when a property draws too much power at once. Without a load balancing system, housing companies risk both higher costs and limited charging availability. Smart load balancing distributes electricity evenly across chargers, ensuring all tenants can charge without exceeding the building’s capacity.

8. Neglecting Compliance and Permitting

Every region has its own rules for electrical safety, fire protection, and infrastructure permits. Housing companies sometimes proceed without fully understanding these requirements, only to face delays or penalties later. Engaging with local authorities early and working with certified installers is the best way to ensure compliance. Reliable resources such as Energy.gov’s EV infrastructure guide can also provide valuable guidance.

9. Forgetting Ongoing Maintenance

Installing EV chargers is not the end of the journey. Like any other equipment, chargers require ongoing monitoring and maintenance. Neglecting this can lead to frequent malfunctions, tenant frustration, and even reputational damage for the property. The most effective solution is to work with providers that offer remote monitoring and predictive maintenance. KotiCharge includes proactive support features that help prevent problems before they arise, ensuring higher reliability and tenant satisfaction.

10. Failing to Market the Amenity

Perhaps the most surprising mistake is not promoting EV chargers once they are installed. Many housing companies spend significant amounts on the infrastructure but fail to include it in their marketing materials, property listings, or tenant communications. As a result, prospective tenants may not even realize this modern amenity is available. Highlighting EV chargers as part of a property’s sustainability and lifestyle benefits can set a housing company apart from competitors.

Conclusion

For housing companies, EV chargers are no longer an optional luxury. They are rapidly becoming a standard expectation among tenants and a key driver of property value. Yet, poorly planned installations can lead to unnecessary costs, technical failures, and missed opportunities. By avoiding common mistakes such as underestimating demand, skipping electrical assessments, or overlooking billing systems, housing providers can create charging solutions that are reliable, fair, and future-ready.

Partnering with experienced providers like KotiCharge helps ensure that installations are not only compliant and cost-efficient but also designed with scalability and tenant satisfaction in mind. As EV adoption continues to accelerate, the housing companies that act wisely today will be the ones best positioned for success tomorrow.