Electric vehicle charging in condominiums poses significant challenges due to the need for collective decision-making and high installation costs. Logivolt, supported by the Caisse des dépôts, offers innovative solutions by funding upfront installation costs for charging systems, allowing co-owners to reimburse a portion while benefiting from public subsidies. With the rapid rise in electric vehicle ownership in France, the urgency for adequate charging infrastructure is clear, yet only a small percentage of condominiums currently provide these facilities.
Addressing Electric Vehicle Charging in Condominiums
The challenge of electric vehicle charging is particularly pressing in residential buildings. While homeowners can easily use a standard outlet, set up a reinforced outlet, or invest in a dedicated charging station, the situation in condominiums is significantly more complex. Here, the scale of the installation and the necessity for collective decision-making come into play, requiring approval from the general assembly. Unfortunately, this vote often results in opposition, primarily due to the high costs, which Pierre Eymard estimates to be around 25,000 euros for a condominium with a parking facility accommodating 75 vehicles. Additionally, some co-owners may not plan to purchase electric vehicles, leading them to question the need for funding such an initiative.
Innovative Solutions for Charging Infrastructure
To alleviate these challenges, Logivolt was established by the Caisse des dépôts three years ago. This company collaborates with accredited private operators like Amperus and Park’n Plug to install electric charging systems within condominiums. Logivolt provides upfront funding for this installation, resulting in zero initial cost for the condominium. Co-owners who wish to have a charging station in their designated parking spots will reimburse Logivolt for their portion of the collective infrastructure costs, with 50% covered by public subsidies from the “Advenir program,” which can reach up to 8,000 euros. The private operator facilitates the application for this funding on behalf of the co-owner, and Logivolt anticipates that more co-owners will express interest over time to help recover these costs.
Beyond this reimbursement, co-owners must also cover the expenses associated with purchasing an individual charging station, its installation, and its integration with the communal infrastructure. On average, this totals around 2,000 euros, with approximately 1,200 euros attributed to the collective infrastructure share, according to Pierre Eymard. However, he clarifies that in many cases, private operators absorb the entire collective share, meaning the co-owner may only need to pay about 800 euros. These operators generate revenue through the sale and ongoing maintenance of charging stations.
The growth of electric vehicle ownership is staggering, with projections indicating a quadrupling in numbers within five years. Currently, there are nearly two million electric and hybrid vehicles in France, a figure expected to soar to eight million by 2030 and reach 18 million by 2035, as forecasted by the Avere-France association. However, out of the 84 million parking spots in the 236,000 condominiums across France, only 3.8% are equipped with communal electric charging infrastructure, as highlighted by Olivier Huet. He emphasizes the importance of co-owners “anticipating” the need for charging stations, as the process can take “one to two years from initial discussions to the completion of work,” largely due to the lengthy decision-making protocols in condominiums.