Shared vs. Private EV Charging for Multifamily Properties

So, you’ve decided to add EV charging to your property. Smart move. On-site EV charging doesn't just add convenience, it raises property value, and gives residents one more reason to renew their lease instead of shopping around. But before you move forward, there’s a key decision to make: should you offer shared EV charging stations or private EV chargers in assigned parking spots?

Let’s go through the pros and cons of each approach, then we’ll share what to consider beforehand to help you plan the most affordable EV charging strategy for your multifamily community.

Understanding Shared EV Charging Stations

Understanding Shared EV Charging Stations

Understanding Shared EV Charging Stations

Understanding Shared EV Charging Stations

Understanding Shared EV Charging Stations

Understanding Shared EV Charging

Shared EV charging is typically open-access and available to serve multiple residents or guests.  For properties just getting started, installing two to three shared chargers can  be  a cost-effective way to meet early demand without equipping every parking space. 

But as EV adoption rises this setup can quickly become a bottleneck, leading to long waits, resident frustration and under-used infrastructure. After multiple uses your chargers will likely require more frequent maintenance  which can increase costs over time. If residents can’t easily access chargers when needed, they will look elsewhere—taking potential revenue with them.

Understanding Private EV Charging

Understanding Private EV Charging Stations

Private EV charging is typically installed in assigned resident parking spots, offering dedicated access and guaranteed overnight charging. This setup guarantees that residents always have a place to park and charge when they come home.

While private charging requires a higher upfront investment than shared, especially if multiple chargers are needed, it comes with valuable perks. Private charging spaces allow for you to charge a fee to residents who use them, carving out a path to direct ROI.

Worried about the budget? There are local incentive programs like Peninsula Clean Energy that can cover up to 100% of your EV charging costs. Orange can help identify what your property qualifies for and guide you through the application process from start to finish.

Pros and Cons of Shared EV Charging

Pros and Cons of Shared EV Charging‍

Shared EV charging stations are often the go-to solution for budget conscious multifamily properties. Typically done through EVSEs, this is meant to serve residents and guests, making them an efficient way to meet early demand without overbuilding.

Pros

• Lower upfront costs for property owners: 
  
  • Since you’ll be installing fewer stations to serve a larger pool of drivers, the initial cost is often lower compared to providing charging in multiple parking spots.
    
• Easy to start with: 
  
  • Shared chargers are a simple way to test EV charging on your property. Install one or two stations to support early demand, see how often they’re used, and learn what residents need - before investing in a larger rollout.
    
• Simple to manage: 
  
  • Fewer chargers means less to keep track of. To simplify things for your team, work with a provider that offers smart software. Platforms like OrangeOS help you monitor usage, spot issues early, and stay on top of performance.

Cons

• Limited access during peak times:
  
  • With fewer chargers to go around, demand can quickly outpace supply. Residents may face long wait times or limited availability, which can lead to frustration or underuse.
    
    
• Varying charging speeds:
  
  • When more than one car is plugged into a shared station, charging can slow down. If demand is high, residents may also have to wait longer for a turn to charge their vehicle.
    
    
• Higher wear and maintenance:
  
  • Frequent use by different drivers increases wear on cables and connectors. Shared chargers may require more maintenance over time, which adds to your operating costs.
    
    

Pros and Cons of Private EV Charging

Pros and Cons of Private EV Charging

Private EV charging is a great fit for properties that want to give residents their own personal place to plug in. Typically installed in assigned parking spots, these setups offer guaranteed access without the need to share.

Smart outlets are often the most affordable way to make this work. They’re quick to install, use less power, and allow residents to charge overnight without waiting in line. 

Pros

• Guaranteed availability for residents: 
  
  • Private chargers offer unmatched convenience. Many residents prefer the security of having a reliable charger, this aligns with the modern expectation of “charging where you sleep.”
    
    
• Longer hardware lifespan:
  
  • When chargers are used by a single household, there's less strain on physical components. With outlets, residents use their own charging cables, saving your property from mounting maintenance fees.
    
    
• Split costs with residents: 
  
  • Property owners can charge residents a fee each time they plug in. This helps cover energy costs and keeps the system fair for everyone using it. Over time, these fees can offset a portion of your upfront investment.

Cons

• Upfront costs can seem high: 
  
  • At first glance, installing private chargers for every resident may look more expensive than installing a few shared stations. But smart outlet models,  like Orange’s  Level 1 and Level 2 smart outlets, paired with incentives can get the total cost down significantly. And because residents cover their own energy use, the path to ROI is often quicker and more predictable than with traditional shared setups.
    
    
• Infrastructure limits in older buildings:
  
  • Older buildings, in particular, may require panel upgrades or new circuits before private charging can be deployed at scale. This doesn’t mean private charging is off the table, it just means you’ll want to assess capacity early and plan for phased expansion or upgrades where needed.
    
    
• Maintenance demands: 
  
  • Managing multiple private EV chargers makes handling support, troubleshooting, and repairs more difficult for your team. That’s why it pays to work with a provider like Orange, our software flags issues, tracks usage, and keeps everything running smoothly in one dashboard.

Choosing the Right EV Charging Setup For Your Property

Choosing the Right EV Charging Setup for Your Property

Beyond pros and cons, the right EV charging approach depends on your property’s layout, budget, and resident needs. Here are 5 important questions to guide your decision:

1.  What's your budget? (Know what you can spend, and if incentives can stretch it further.)
   
   
2. How many EV drivers are on site? (Demand may start low, but it grows fast.)
   
   
3. Can your existing electrical capacity support EV charging? 
   
   
4.  Are there local building codes to follow? (Make sure  your project is compliant with local building codes for EV readiness.)
   
   
5. What incentives are available in your area? (Look into local and state programs that could cover part (or all) of the upfront cost.)
   
   

Make EV Charging Work for Your Property

Make EV Charging Work for Your Property

Every property is different, the ultimate setup to strive for is having a combo of both. Shared EV charging for visitors and residents needing a quick top off. Private EV charging  for residents who charge overnight. Every property is different, and understanding how your residents charge is the key to building a system that works now and scales for the future.

Orange helps you get started with affordable, right-sized solutions built for multifamily. We’ll also help you navigate local codes, tap into incentives, and find the right balance between shared and private charging.

Let’s build your ideal EV charging setup together, book a free consultation today!

‍