Policy Gaps Hinder EV Adoption in Housing Estates

Residents of multi-family housing (MFH) and multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) are facing significant systemic barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption, primarily due to a lack of charging infrastructure and policy gaps within housing estates and rental properties.

The inability to access home charging is creating a widening equity gap, as EV adoption lags behind for those without private garages or dedicated parking, disproportionately affecting lower-income residents and specific racial categories.

Infrastructure Barriers in Multi-Unit Housing

Charging access is instrumental in the decision to adopt an electric vehicle. However, individuals living in rental homes or properties with inadequate parking are less likely to transition to EVs because they lack the necessary home charging capabilities.

In many housing estates, residents attempting to switch to EVs encounter stumbling blocks stemming from a lack of established policies regarding the installation of charging points. These hurdles include delays and unexpected upgrade costs associated with connecting to the electric grid.

The challenges are not limited to physical infrastructure but extend to administrative and regulatory obstacles. In some regions, such as India, housing society hurdles have been identified as threats to green transportation initiatives, complicating the installation of chargers in shared residential spaces.

Socioeconomic and Equity Implications

The disparity in charging access reinforces existing income and racial divides. Current trends show that wealthier, predominantly white or Asian communities are leading in EV adoption, while those in multi-family housing are left behind.

This gap limits the accessibility of EV ownership and prevents a broader segment of the population from realizing the economic and environmental benefits associated with clean transportation.

Industry Efforts to Streamline Grid Connections

To address these inequities, organizations including RMI, the Electric Power Institute (EPRI), the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), and the Alliance for Transportation Electrification (ATE) have collaborated with ten Clean Cities and Communities partners to develop a roadmap for streamlined grid service connections.

The roadmap is designed specifically for small EV customers, including residents of multi-family housing and small fleet operators, who face unique challenges in connecting to the electric grid. The initiative focuses on identifying which entities—utilities, cities, or regulators—are best positioned to implement solutions.

The effort aims to mitigate the following obstacles that currently slow electrification projects:

• Unexpected infrastructure upgrade costs.
• Project delays during the connection process.
• Customer unpreparedness regarding the technical requirements of EV charging installation.

Market Context and Growth Projections

These infrastructure challenges persist despite rapid growth in the global EV market. Global sales increased nearly 500 percent between 2020, and 2024.

In the United States, EV sales are projected to rise by approximately 2.5 million between 2025 and 2030, even with a slowdown resulting from changes in federal policy. This projected growth underscores the urgent need for reliable and widespread charging access to ensure that residents of multi-unit dwellings are not excluded from the transition to electric mobility.