Things Tenants Must Know About Owning an Electric Vehicle

Electric vehicles are quickly becoming the choice of transportation for many people nowadays. These folks have two reasons they want to drive EVs: to save money and contribute to the protection of the environment. 

However, owning an electric vehicle can be a challenge for those renting a home. Some rental properties don’t have charging stations for electric vehicles. As a tenant, you must consider first whether owning an EV is good for you. Take note of these considerations if you’re a renter who wants to own an electric vehicle. 

Things to Know About EV Charging

You must have access to a home charger or charging station if you want to own an electric vehicle. There are three different levels of EV charging based on the charger’s capacity to power the EV. Each can power your EV with a specific amount of mileage per charge. 

Tenants who are planning to own an EV need to know the charging options that are available in the rental property or area where they’re living. Some rental property owners may be inclined to modify their rental homes for EV charging purposes. 

If you want to know whether owning an EV is good for you as a tenant, you must understand the pros and cons of each charging level. 

• Charging Level 1. An EV owner can utilize the most basic charging level to power his electric vehicle. Charging level 1 uses a standard outlet with an extension cord. This charging level is good for EV owners who are willing to leave the EV plugged in overnight or who only drive for short distances. 
• Charging Level 2. This charging level utilizes 240V of electricity and provides more mileage per charge. You need to install a particular charging outlet for this changing option. In large cities, some rental properties accommodate level 2 or 3 charging outlets to tenants as one of the amenities. 
• Charging Level 3. This charging option uses more than 800V of electricity and can power your electric vehicle rapidly. Since level 3 is the most powerful EV charging level, it’s also the most expensive and difficult to install. 

Considerations for Landlords about Installing an EV Charger

Not all rental homes have charging stations or electrical panels to power electric vehicles, and not all rental property owners are willing to install EV chargers. Reasons vary, but the most common one is the cost of the installation to accommodate an EV charger and the cost of electricity when it’s installed. 

However, adding an EV charger to a rental property also has some advantages. Since many people now own EVs, and they’re going to increase in number in the future, installing EV charging stations in rental homes can boost the value of the property. 

If you have an EV charger installed on your rental home, it can attract more tenants and generate more profit to your rental home business. Consider the pros and cons carefully before deciding to add an EV charger for your tenants. 

How Tenants Can Convince Their Landlord to Install an EV Charger

Having an EV charger as one of the amenities of a rental property can attract eco-friendly tenants. As to how to convince your landlord to upgrade its rental property to accommodate electric vehicle charging, your first recourse is to learn more about the benefits of having an EV charger. 

Remember these tips on how to talk your landlord into installing an electric vehicle charger in your rental home. 

• Educate. Some landlords who are not familiar with electrical vehicles should receive ample information regarding them. As a tenant who is considering owning an EV, you must do your research and educate your landlord about the benefits of installing an EV charging station and how to install it. 
• Get Help from Like-Minded Tenants. The more people are interested in owning an EV, the more chances your landlord will get convinced into upgrading the rental property to accommodate an EV charger. So, talk with like-minded tenants or people in your neighborhood about it. 
• Tax Credits and Incentives. Some states provide tax credits or incentives to property owners who have EV charging stations in their rental homes. If your landlord doesn't have an idea regarding this benefit, make sure to talk about it with him. 
• Offer to Help Pay for the Installation. Perhaps your landlord will agree to install an EV charger in the rental property if you offer to help pay for its installation. Most landlords will think twice regarding the upgrade because of its cost. That’s why you tell your landlord you're willing to contribute to its expenses.

Final Thoughts

More and more people are now considering buying an electric vehicle because it helps them save money on fuel. For tenants, however, it might be impractical to own an EV unless the rental property where they’re residing has an EV charging station. Thus, they should weigh the pros and cons and convince their landlords to install an EV charger first.