“Homeowners are three times more likely to own an electric vehicle than renters, according to one study,” writes the Washington Post. But others still have options.
Drivers who park on the street have found a new way to charge their vehicles by plugging extension cords onto the sidewalk or into nearby tree branches… [S]Some municipalities explicitly allow sidewalk charging as part of a broader strategy to reduce transportation emissions. In some areas, homeowners can also hire an electrician to run power under the sidewalk to the curbside charging port. However, homeowners should check local regulations and permit requirements for on-street charging. In some very EV-friendly cities, local governments cover the costs. In Seattle, a pilot program is introducing faster curbside charging to residents who opt in to the program…
If charging at home isn't really an option, some drivers turn to public charging. You can charge an EV battery from 0 percent to 80 percent in about 20 minutes using a charger at work or by charging occasionally with a DC fast charger. The problem is that public charging is more expensive than charging at home. However, it's still cheaper than gasoline in most places… For drivers with access to Tesla's Superchargers, public charging may still be a solid option, but for non-Tesla drivers, dear drivers, it's It's still a challenge. Many fast chargers can break down or become crowded with other drivers for days or weeks. Popular charging app PlugShare helps EV owners find available charging ports, but relying on public fast charging can quickly become a pain for drivers accustomed to filling up quickly. There is a possibility that In such situations, a plug-in hybrid or regular hybrid car may be a better option.
Additionally, the article states, “Experts say there are several important steps renters and condo owners can take to access charging.”
The first is to research your local “right to charge” laws. This is a regulation that requires homeowner associations or landlords to allow residents to install Level 1 or Level 2 charging. Ten states have “right to claim” laws. For example, in California and Colorado, renters or homeowners have the right to install chargers in private parking spaces or, in some cases, in public areas of their apartments. Other states, including Florida, Hawaii, and New Jersey, have similar but limited laws. Residents can also contact their landlords or property owners directly to advocate for the installation of charging infrastructure. All of this “places a significant burden on drivers,” said Ben Prochaska, executive director of the Electrification Coalition. But many EV advocacy groups are working to change city and state building codes to require all apartment buildings with parking to be “EV-ready,” he added.
“Communities across the country are coming up with creative solutions, and it's only going to get easier,” Ingrid Malmgren, policy director for the EV advocacy group Plug in America, told the paper. .
