Challenges and Opportunities for Electric Vehicle Changing in Multifamily Properties

Abstract

The transportation sector is now the largest emitter of CO2 due to the use of gasoline in cars and trucks. With today’s technology, electric cars provide a clear path forward to ending our reliance of fossil fuels to drive our cars. Electric cars have drawbacks to adoption, mainly that they require long periods to recharge, usually overnight. People living in multi-family properties cannot install chargers without management approval. In the U.S., between one-third and two-thirds people live in apartments, so access to chargers is essential.

This capstone project analyzed various data sources to determine what issues may be preventing the installation of electric vehicle chargers in multi-family properties. The research is divided into two sections. The first section is a meta-data analysis of current installation costs of electric vehicle chargers. It also includes an analysis of the current state of demand for electric vehicles and any concerns that may hinder electric vehicle sales. The second section is a case study highlighting the differences of electric vehicle adoption in two cities: Dallas and Atlanta.

The results show that installation costs are not the primary obstacle to electric vehicle charger installations in Dallas, TX. Installation costs have changed little over the past eight years. Instead, demand for electric vehicles is low in Dallas in particular and Texas in general, despite its large population. Demand is hindered by several factors including concerns about reliability, cost, safety and range of electric vehicles. Demand for electric vehicles must increase before more chargers are installed in these multi-family properties.