The Hidden Costs of Self-Managing EV Charging: Why Outsourcing to Experts is the Smart Choice

The Hidden Costs of Self-Managing EV Charging: Why Outsourcing to Experts is the Smart Choice

Date
Oct 4, 2024 9:15 PM

The Hidden Costs of Self-Managing EV Charging: Why Outsourcing to Experts is the Smart Choice

As electric vehicles (EVs) become increasingly popular, multi-unit dwellings (MUDs) are racing to install charging stations to meet tenant demand and stay competitive. While the benefits of offering EV charging are clear – from attracting high-value tenants to potentially increasing property values – many property managers are grappling with a crucial decision: should they manage this new amenity themselves or outsource to specialists?

At first glance, self-management might seem like the most cost-effective option. However, the reality of managing EV charging infrastructure is far more complex and resource-intensive than many realize. This article explores why partnering with EV charging experts like Super Charging Solutions (Super) is not just a convenience, but a strategic necessity for property managers looking to maximize the benefits of this amenity while minimizing headaches and hidden costs.

image

The Complexities of EV Charging Management

Managing EV charging stations is not as simple as installing the equipment and forgetting about it. It requires ongoing attention, expertise, and resources in several key areas:

  1. Technical Maintenance and Troubleshooting EV charging stations are sophisticated pieces of technology that require regular maintenance and occasional repairs. Issues can range from simple software glitches to complex hardware failures. Without specialized knowledge, troubleshooting these problems can be time-consuming and frustrating for property management staff.
  2. User Support and Billing EV drivers often need assistance with starting charging sessions, understanding billing, or resolving account issues. Providing 24/7 support for these queries requires dedicated staff and systems, which can be a significant undertaking for property management teams already stretched thin.
  3. Electrical Load Management As more tenants adopt EVs, managing the electrical load becomes crucial to prevent overloading the building's electrical system. This requires continuous monitoring and adjustment, often necessitating advanced energy management systems and expertise.
  4. Regulatory Compliance The EV charging industry is subject to evolving regulations at federal, state, and local levels. Staying compliant requires ongoing education and potentially costly upgrades or modifications to existing systems.
  5. Technology Updates EV charging technology is rapidly evolving. Keeping stations up-to-date with the latest software and hardware improvements is essential for security, efficiency, and compatibility with new vehicle models.

The Hidden Costs of Self-Management

When property managers choose to self-manage EV charging, they often underestimate the true costs involved:

  1. Staff Time and Training Existing staff will need to be trained on EV charging technology, troubleshooting, and support processes. This training takes time away from other important property management tasks and may require ongoing refresher courses as technology evolves.
  2. Support Infrastructure Providing reliable user support often requires setting up new systems, such as dedicated phone lines or support ticketing software, which come with their own costs and complexity.
  3. Unexpected Downtime Without specialized knowledge, diagnosing and repairing issues can take longer, leading to extended periods of station downtime. This not only frustrates tenants but can also result in lost revenue and damage to the property's reputation.
  4. Inefficient Energy Use Without advanced load management systems, properties may use energy inefficiently or even incur demand charges from utilities, leading to higher operational costs.
  5. Liability Risks Improper management of EV charging stations can pose safety risks. If an incident occurs due to poor maintenance or oversight, the property could face significant liability.
  6. Opportunity Costs Every hour spent managing EV charging is an hour not spent on core property management activities, potentially impacting overall property performance and tenant satisfaction in other areas.

The Super Charging Solutions Advantage

This is where partnering with experts like Super Charging Solutions becomes not just beneficial, but essential. Here's how Super addresses each of these challenges:

  1. Comprehensive Management Super takes responsibility for overseeing and managing your EV charging infrastructure, handling everything from routine maintenance to user support. This frees up your staff to focus on core property management tasks, ensuring that adding EV charging enhances rather than complicates your operations.
  2. 24/7 Monitoring and Support With round-the-clock monitoring, Super can predict and resolve issues before they impact your tenants. Their dedicated support team handles all user queries, ensuring your residents always have access to expert assistance.
  3. Advanced Load Management Super employs cutting-edge energy management systems to optimize charging and prevent electrical overload. This not only ensures efficient operation but can also lead to significant energy cost savings.
  4. Regulatory Compliance As EV charging experts, Super stays abreast of all relevant regulations and ensures your stations remain compliant, protecting you from potential legal issues or fines.
  5. Continuous Optimization Super continuously updates and optimizes your charging infrastructure, implementing the latest technologies to keep your property at the forefront of EV charging capabilities.
  6. Cost Transparency Perhaps most importantly, Super covers all electricity costs associated with EV charging, providing full reimbursement to property owners. This eliminates one of the most significant ongoing expenses and uncertainties of offering EV charging.

The Financial Case for Outsourcing

While the operational benefits of partnering with Super are clear, the financial case is equally compelling:

  1. Predictable Costs Super's service is offered at no cost to property owners, with a small fee charged directly to EV owners using the chargers. This model provides a predictable cost structure without any financial burden on the property.
  2. Avoided Capital Expenditures By leveraging Super's expertise and relationships with equipment suppliers, properties can often avoid significant upfront costs associated with purchasing and installing charging equipment.
  3. Energy Cost Savings Super's advanced load management and optimization can lead to substantial energy cost savings compared to self-managed systems.
  4. Increased Revenue Potential With Super handling all aspects of EV charging management, properties can focus on maximizing the revenue potential of this amenity. The National Multifamily Housing Council survey found that 27% of renters would pay an average of $28.12 more per month for access to EV charging. By outsourcing management to experts, properties can capture this premium without increasing their operational burden.
  5. Reduced Liability By entrusting EV charging management to experts, properties reduce their exposure to potential liability risks associated with equipment malfunction or safety issues.

Real-World Success Stories

The benefits of partnering with EV charging experts are not just theoretical. Consider these case studies:

  1. San Diego Apartment Complex A ~500 unit apartment complex in San Diego installed six EV chargers in 2018. Initially, usage was low, but by partnering with an EV charging management company, they were able to optimize their offering. By 2020, they added 6 more chargers and were seeing about 50 charging transactions per day, with steadily increasing demand.
  2. ChargePoint Client Properties ChargePoint, a prominent EV charging network provider, reports that properties using their managed charging stations see increased occupancy rates and are able to raise the average rent prices across entire properties, all while avoiding the complexities of self-management.

Conclusion: The Smart Choice for Forward-Thinking Properties

As the EV revolution accelerates, offering charging at multi-unit dwellings is quickly moving from a luxury to a necessity. However, the decision to self-manage or outsource this amenity can have far-reaching implications for a property's operations, finances, and tenant satisfaction.

By partnering with EV charging experts like Super Charging Solutions, property managers can offer a state-of-the-art amenity that attracts and retains high-value tenants, potentially increases property value, and generates additional revenue – all without the headaches and hidden costs of self-management.

Super's comprehensive approach – handling everything from installation guidance to ongoing management, maintenance, and even electricity costs – allows properties to stay at the forefront of the EV charging revolution without diverting resources from core property management activities.

In a competitive rental market where differentiation is key, outsourcing EV charging management to experts isn't just a convenience – it's a strategic advantage. It allows properties to offer a premium amenity with premium service, enhancing tenant satisfaction and potentially commanding higher rents, all while maintaining operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

As we move towards a future where EV ownership becomes the norm rather than the exception, the properties that will thrive are those that can offer seamless, reliable EV charging without compromising on other aspects of property management. By partnering with Super Charging Solutions, property managers can confidently step into this electric future, knowing they have expert support every step of the way.

Don't let the complexities of EV charging management hold your property back from offering this increasingly essential amenity. Contact Super Charging Solutions today to learn how they can help you implement and manage EV charging effortlessly, keeping your property competitive, your tenants satisfied, and your operations streamlined in the electrified future of multi-unit dwellings.

Ready to get started?

It’s as easy as one-two-three. We schedule a call, answer your questions and take it from there, it’s that simple!

image

Made with⚡ in San Francisco

© 2024 Super Charging Solutions LLC

Get Help

Help Center

Contact Us