While your HOA always wants to partner with a reliable, quality contractor, the need for such a vendor partner is even more essential when considering installing a community EV charging station.
In most instances HOAs partner directly with the contractor doing the work on their property. An EV vendor partner, however, will operate largely as a middleman between your HOA and the installer/provider of EV charging equipment and services.
A charging station requires selection and installation of chargers, connectors, electrical infrastructure improvements, examination of laws and regulations that might impact EV installation, safety precautions, and charger maintenance and repair. A quality vendor partner will take the lead and work with you and the installer/service provider on these and other issues.
This vendor partner will guide your HOA on virtually all aspects of EV charging – from developing an HOA EV policy to the present and future need for EV charging to location, funding options, and more. Installing an EV charging station requires selecting a partner that understands the EV market, understands your HOA’s needs, and wants to work with your HOA over the long term.
Time spent in selecting a vendor partner well versed in all those issues will be time well spent. Some boxes to check when comparing vendor partners include:
Look for a company that has experience working with HOA communities
Make sure the company you pick has a solid relationship with EV charging vendors and suppliers
Compare the uptimes of the various EV charging providers. The higher the uptime percentage, the more the station is up and running properly. Nothing will kill enthusiasm for EV quicker than stations that don’t work.
Assess the lowest overall cost of ownership for each vendor partner. Keep in mind that a lower initial cost may translate into much higher costs in the future due to poor service and maintenance issues.