From technical requirements and government regulations to deciding which EV charger is best suited for their property – property managers looking to join the EV movement face a whole host of challenges before they can do so.
Singapore has done well in incentivising property owners to consider installing EV chargers, but the above challenges still pose a hindrance. For those who want to do their part for the environment but are unsure of how to start – here are four considerations you need to keep in mind when planning to install EV chargers:
Strata Living Requirements
Decision making in condominiums is bound by the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act (BMSMA) under Building Construction Authority (BCA). Thus, a resolution has to be passed by the management corporation prior to installation of EV chargers in condominiums.
In particular, purchasing or leasing common property for time periods that exceed three years will require 90% agreement from the management council to be passed. This applies for EV chargers as well, which means that the purchase of any chargers will first require 90% of the management council to come to a consensus.
This can make installing EV chargers a complicated process if not everyone is on board.
Watt makes this process easier for property managers through its subscription plan. Through this plan, property management can instead lease chargers for a 36-month period. By ensuring a lease period of under 3 years, the resolution only needs 75% agreement to be passed.
The subscription plan doesn’t just make it easier for a condominium’s management to pass the resolution required to install the chargers; instead, it has many other upsides as well!
For one, condominiums save on hefty upfront installation costs with the subscription plan, as they pay only an affordable monthly fee of S$200 per charger. Furthermore, Watt also offers a profit-sharing scheme alongside the subscription which allows condominiums to earn with every charger they install.
This can be used to offset the subscription costs, be reinvested into upgrading facilities for residents, or to eventually gain full ownership of the chargers to enjoy maximum profits.
Size of condominium
Another key point of consideration is the size of your property. Since those living in condominiums are more likely than the average citizen to own vehicles, condominiums need to ensure that they install sufficient chargers to cater to the needs of their residents.
For a start, property owners can take guidance of how many chargers to install from Singapore’s guidelines and targets. With Singapore’s target of 60,000 EV charging points by 2030, the nation is aiming for an estimated ratio of five EVs per charging point in the early stages.
Singapore has also implemented guidelines for new private developments to have active and passive provision of EV charging points onsite. The former requires tenderers to ensure that at least 15% of total carpark lots can support EV chargers; while the latter requires at least 1% of this to be installed with EV charging points.
Based on the above guidelines for the nation as well as new private developments, existing condominium owners can estimate the number of chargers they need to install as well as the number of chargers they may need to scale to over time.
Safety and compliance
It is important for EV chargers to be safely installed. For this to happen, there needs to be a clear understanding of both your property’s electrical capabilities and the charger itself.
As its name suggests, EV chargers draw large amounts of electricity from your property into the vehicles. To prevent possible risks of an electric fire or short circuits, it’s important to ensure that the EV charger installer you employ is experienced.
Additionally, the Singapore government also requires chargers which are installed to meet certain requirements. Thus, it is prudent to ensure that you seek out LTA-approved EV Charging Operators when looking for an EV charging provider.
Services and experience
With event planning, facilities management, and staffing concerns already on the plate of property management – the last thing anyone wants is to add another task of managing EV chargers and ensuring they are working as they should.
Navigating the EV charging world can be complex and messy. Contracts can be filled with technical jargon opaque to the layman, and terms and conditions are a pain to read through.
In order to avoid unnecessary complications, seek out a seamless end-to-end EV charging service where possible. These services provide you with not just the hardware, but also the technical expertise and post-sales support for any issues you may encounter.
Take Watt for example. From planning out the number of chargers you require, to providing 24/7 maintenance and customer service support, Watt is your go-to provider for easy and convenient EV charging solutions.
Besides supporting your technical needs, Watt also includes other perks such as a dedicated mobile app with reservation, queuing, and rewards system, as well as
Not sure where to start?
Watt provides a hassle-free solution – from evaluating your property’s electrical capabilities to planning out how many chargers you need to install.
Reach out to Watt, the EV Solutions Provider, for a free site evaluation today at our contact us page.
