mymontreal
Member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2013
- Messages
- 8
I live in a pretty new condo complex in San Jose - I have a deeded parking space in a condo parking structure that holds about 150 cars and have been struggling to find an EV charger install option that (a) would not be prohibitively expensive and (b) would be acceptable to the HOA board.
I would like to install a level II (220v) charger, but as with many parking structures, we don't even have any 110v outlets close to any of the parking spaces.
I have been getting info/quotes from a couple of installation companies and I seem to have 2 options:
[1] Tap into the power conduits that carry power from the parking structure meter rooms directly to individual condos (so would be metered) - these conduits actually run fairly close to my parking space - the challenge is that this would require installation of a new breaker panel box and the EV charger on the wall by my parking space - HOA do not appear to be agreeable to this because (a) they believe the breaker panel box would be "unsightly" and (b) they say that we cannot tap into the "power conduit" that is going from the meter room to my condo, because that power conduit is HOA property rather than my property...
[2] In the parking structure meter room - there do appear to be several spare/unused breakers - we could possibly connect to one of these and run conduit/cable to my parking space - however, this would be an "un-metered" supply and the HOA will not allow this, even if I pay them an agreed amount every month - I am currently looking into the possibility of a "sub-meter", but am not sure whether PG&E currently allow sub-meters to be installed...
The biggest challenge I see at the moment, is that even though CA law allows condo owners to install EV chargers, there are a few caveats and nobody has really laid down any practical guidelines for doing so.
For example, the law appears to state the following with regards to EV charger installs in exclusive-use condo parking spaces:
"Prohibitions are not acceptable. Any language in governing documents effectively prohibiting or restricting installation or use of electric charging station is void or unenforceable; except that:
Reasonable restrictions are allowed. These are restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost or significantly decrease efficiency or performance; but just remember that the State promotes the stations and courts determine what is "reasonable" (so be reasonable!).
All permitting requirements and health and safety standards apply and all building codes apply. An "Electric vehicle charging station" has to be designed to comply with the California Building Standards Code. The charging station may include several charge points simultaneously connecting several electric vehicles to the station and any related equipment needed to facilitate charging plug-in electric vehicles."
Well that's great, but who determines the definition of "reasonable restrictions" and "significant cost increase"... ?
Has anybody successfully challenged an HOA refusal to allow install and do we have any data/test cases yet around how the courts are likely to interpret "REASONABLE RESTRICTIONS"... ?
Would love to hear from anybody who has experience (particularly in the SF Bay Area) of EV charger install in a condo parking space.
Thanks
Mike
I would like to install a level II (220v) charger, but as with many parking structures, we don't even have any 110v outlets close to any of the parking spaces.
I have been getting info/quotes from a couple of installation companies and I seem to have 2 options:
[1] Tap into the power conduits that carry power from the parking structure meter rooms directly to individual condos (so would be metered) - these conduits actually run fairly close to my parking space - the challenge is that this would require installation of a new breaker panel box and the EV charger on the wall by my parking space - HOA do not appear to be agreeable to this because (a) they believe the breaker panel box would be "unsightly" and (b) they say that we cannot tap into the "power conduit" that is going from the meter room to my condo, because that power conduit is HOA property rather than my property...
[2] In the parking structure meter room - there do appear to be several spare/unused breakers - we could possibly connect to one of these and run conduit/cable to my parking space - however, this would be an "un-metered" supply and the HOA will not allow this, even if I pay them an agreed amount every month - I am currently looking into the possibility of a "sub-meter", but am not sure whether PG&E currently allow sub-meters to be installed...
The biggest challenge I see at the moment, is that even though CA law allows condo owners to install EV chargers, there are a few caveats and nobody has really laid down any practical guidelines for doing so.
For example, the law appears to state the following with regards to EV charger installs in exclusive-use condo parking spaces:
"Prohibitions are not acceptable. Any language in governing documents effectively prohibiting or restricting installation or use of electric charging station is void or unenforceable; except that:
Reasonable restrictions are allowed. These are restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost or significantly decrease efficiency or performance; but just remember that the State promotes the stations and courts determine what is "reasonable" (so be reasonable!).
All permitting requirements and health and safety standards apply and all building codes apply. An "Electric vehicle charging station" has to be designed to comply with the California Building Standards Code. The charging station may include several charge points simultaneously connecting several electric vehicles to the station and any related equipment needed to facilitate charging plug-in electric vehicles."
Well that's great, but who determines the definition of "reasonable restrictions" and "significant cost increase"... ?
Has anybody successfully challenged an HOA refusal to allow install and do we have any data/test cases yet around how the courts are likely to interpret "REASONABLE RESTRICTIONS"... ?
Would love to hear from anybody who has experience (particularly in the SF Bay Area) of EV charger install in a condo parking space.
Thanks
Mike