Installation & Operation

Once BC Hydro has pre-approved your request, you may move forward with installation.

• Making an Agreement

  Once you have received approval to move forward with installation, a written agreement will be required. It is recommended to engage a strata lawyer to review bylaws, help draft amendments and user agreements. When drafting an agreement, the following questions should be considered:

  • Who will retain ownership of the charger? This will determine what happens to a charger if an owner moves. It may be influenced by the legal designation of the parking stall, which can be found in the strata’s documents.
  • Who will manage charger installation? This person will be responsible for liaising with the certified contractor.
  • Who will pay for the charger and installation costs? Formalize terms of payment in writing.
  • Who will manage and pay for charger maintenance? Upkeep costs are typically minimal, but it’s important to include who is responsible should any issues arise.
  • How will you recover electricity costs? How will the billing occur and at what price?
• Installing the Charger(s)

  Working with the certified electrician, you can now begin the electrical work required to upgrade your space. In the case of EV Ready Plans, this will require the electrician to install an energized outlet at each parking stall with enough capacity to install a Level 2 charger.

  The certified electrician will arrange the proper permits and electrical inspection, and will ensure that the installation is completed to code. Use contractors that are familiar with electric vehicle charging and have experience installing chargers in apartments and townhouses.

• Operating & Maintenance Costs

  There are several ways to track and bill for electric vehicle charging in apartments and townhouses. The option that is right for you will depend on your charging and building situation. You should seek legal advice to determine if the option is feasible under your strata rules and the Strata Property Act.

  Options to bill for electricity used from EV charging include:

  • Establish a fixed user-fee for the electricity consumed: homeowners can pay a flat fee to cover the costs of electricity, and in some cases these fees can be added directly to homeowners’ monthly strata bills. Confirm whether strata rules or bylaws need to be created or amended.
  • You can find sample agreements on the Plug In BC website.
  • Install a networked charger: these chargers track the actual usage by individual users, and may be appropriate if multiple people are using the same charger. Networked chargers are typically more expensive and require a monthly networking fee.
  • Install a sub-meter: this could include a simple sub-meter or approved revenue meter. Depending on the decision, prices will vary greatly.

Please note that the information on this website is intended only to be used as a starting point and is not a substitute for getting legal or other professional advice. For more details, refer to our Copyright Notice & Disclaimer