Multi-Family EV Charging Sees Scalable, Turnkey Innovation

Written by:

Steve Marcinuk

Date:

23 Apr 2025

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“We’re experiencing a significant growth period for EV charging amenities, particularly in multi-family housing,” notes Chris Kluesener, Co-founder & CEO at Matcha Electric, a company specializing in EV charging solutions for apartment buildings. While public charging networks struggle with various challenges, residential settings are seeing substantial progress through innovative business models addressing critical infrastructure gaps.

The Home Charging Divide

Statistics highlight a notable disparity: while up to 94% of U.S. EV drivers in single-family homes have convenient home charging access, only about half of apartment residents enjoy this essential amenity, according to Energy Innovation’s 2024 report.

This gap exists despite clear tenant interest. A recent Marketplace.org study found that 34% of tenants want EV chargers in their building, and according to SWTCH Energy, 67% of multi-family residents would consider purchasing an electric vehicle if their building offered charging stations.

“Residents not only prefer charging access in their buildings, they require it and are willing to relocate to secure it,” Kluesener emphasizes. What began as a premium amenity has evolved into a necessity influencing housing decisions.

The Multi-Family Charging Challenge

The limited adoption of EV charging in apartment complexes primarily results from business model misalignment.

“Multi-family has been slow to adopt EV charging because landlords don’t want ownership of charging stations,” explains Kluesener. Property owners have traditionally avoided investing in infrastructure requiring specialized maintenance, technical expertise, and potential liability.

This reluctance has particularly affected Class A multi-family properties built in the 90s and early 2000s, which weren’t designed with EV charging capabilities. As Kluesener notes, “Without charging infrastructure, you risk losing tenants.”

Turnkey Solutions Gain Traction

The market has developed comprehensive turnkey solutions specifically designed for multi-family properties. These packages typically include:

1. Site assessment and electrical capacity analysis
2. Equipment procurement and installation
3. Ongoing maintenance and technical support
4. Billing and payment processing systems
5. User management platforms
6. Zero upfront cost options for property owners

“Real estate is moving toward greater openness to third-party on-site operators who can provide turnkey solutions for needed amenities,” Kluesener observes. This approach mirrors how property managers handle other amenities like pools—outsourcing the expertise while delivering the benefit.

Companies like Matcha Electric manage everything from installation to maintenance, with business models that can convert what was previously viewed as an expense into a potential revenue stream. “We provide a comprehensive turnkey solution that includes financing for the infrastructure and a purpose-built technology platform designed for multi-family,” says Kluesener.

The Economic Advantage

Multi-family EV charging presents compelling economics compared to public charging networks.

“Charging stations in apartments typically see 50% utilization, compared to the industry average of 15%,” Kluesener points out. This higher utilization rate creates a stronger business case for multi-family charging stations than for public networks, which have struggled with profitability.

The business model differs fundamentally as well. “We charge a retail price on the electricity. It’s an aligned incentive business model where we don’t generate revenue if the chargers malfunction,” explains Kluesener. This structure ensures reliable service—addressing a persistent problem in the EV charging industry.

Regulatory and Market Momentum

The regulatory environment increasingly supports multi-family EV charging through “right-to-charge” laws enacted in several states. These regulations prevent HOAs and landlords from prohibiting residents from accessing EV charging, accelerating demand for turnkey solutions.

Additionally, recent shifts in public charging funding have increased emphasis on private charging amenities. “A significant reduction for fast charging in public networks has seen their funding essentially freeze and diminish rapidly,” says Kluesener, highlighting how the charging responsibility is shifting toward residential settings.

Expanding Access Beyond Luxury Properties

An important aspect of multi-family EV charging development is its potential to expand access across housing types. Kluesener argues that affordable housing should be included in this transition:

“There’s no reason why you can’t install two charging stations in a 100-unit affordable housing complex. Uber and Lyft drivers, particularly those in underserved communities, drive thousands of miles monthly,” he points out. For these drivers, access to affordable charging directly impacts their livelihood.

Matcha Electric has secured grant funding from states like Massachusetts specifically to accelerate deployment in affordable housing, demonstrating how turnkey solutions with financing options can extend electrification benefits to historically underserved communities.

The Future Landscape

As EV adoption accelerates, property owners implementing charging solutions now gain a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining tenants. The next evolution will likely include sophisticated energy management systems that balance charging loads with building electricity demands.

“We’re developing software features around energy management to enable demand response, curtailment, and time-of-use pricing,” Kluesener shares about Matcha Electric’s roadmap. These innovations will help provide charging amenities without overloading electrical grids.

For property owners considering EV charging, the turnkey model offers a practical approach that minimizes complexity while meeting growing resident needs. As the market matures, multi-family EV charging will evolve from competitive advantage to essential infrastructure—creating an opportune moment for forward-thinking property owners to implement solutions.