Canadian Condo Managers Prohibit Volt Owner From Plugging In
by Manoli Katakis
— Jan 30, 2012
Usually when we think of Canada, we think of decent beer, hockey, and maple syrup. But not today, as a condominium management board in Ottawa, Ontario, has ruled that plug-in hybrid vehicle owners can't use an electrical outlet in the building garage. That is unless they purchase their own meter, which usually runs about $3,000. The move has stemmed from an incident involving a Chevy Volt.
Mike Nemat, the lucky-yet-unlucky Volt owner was blocked by the management board of where he resides from plugging into the wall to charge his car. The man cries foul because the board has no protest with people plugging in engine block heaters. Nemat also pointed out that the Volt would cost just over 1 Canadian Dollar to charge a night, and would gladly pay the difference. But, no. For some reason, the condo's board believes the Volt to be some sort of energy hog.
— Manoli Katakis
Manny previously provided coverage of GM products.
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If I may put my $0.02 in, sell the condo.
As popular as condo have become lately they can still a bad choice; compared to other options; for home ownership.
Typically, condo's are multi unit/ multi-floor building, you have 8 intimate neighbours instead of two, you cannot control your maintenance (utility) fee's and usually you need to follow some elses rules.
If the condo requires the volt owner to have a meter, the condo should share the cost. Why? In my opinion, the meter is required by the condo.
Also noteworthy, if this is their stance, the condo should prohibit people from using block heaters in the garage. In my experience, indoor underground garages do not get cold enough to justify the need for a block heater.
This Volt owner is at the forefront of this argument. He is dealing with the Old School mentality and the modern realities of life.
However, some battles are not worth fighting.
I would just move to a new home.
Todd Bianco says:
In LA, I'm fortunate to have my own home & garage, so a plug-in is no problem; however, I also have a condo in Palm Springs and I'm on the board of the HOA. We are rewriting our CC&Rs and we have added a specific reference to EV charging stations. No one is allowed to plug into the common area electrical for purposes of charging an EV. We will allow an owner to put in their own charging station by their assigned parking space in the common carport area; but it would be at their own expense and it would be exceedingly difficult, to get a separate 220 V line run to the carport area and separately metered. The HOA board also has to approve any plans to put one in.
I've also talked to a friend who is on the board of their condo on the beach (and I really mean that you walk out your living room sliding glass door into sand and the Pacific Ocean). They have some ultra rich people in the building and they put in an EV rule almost two years ago because one of the owners bought a Tesla Roadster. The Tesla owner had to have a special electrical line and meter installed to charge his car, all at his own expense. At least, in this case, the subterranean garage area was easier to run a line.
We don't have or need engine block heaters in So Cal, so in general, the most that was plugged into common area electrical was a jump starter for a dead battery. Maybe some power tools during construction.
I think you'll find most condo & townhouse CC&Rs will eventually disallow common area charging (if you can even do it). Some developments are almost like a single family dwelling with their own enclosed garages attached to the unit. In those cases, if you install a charger inside your own garage connected to the unit's electrical system, I don't think there would be an issue or even a way an association could do anything about it as it's not in common space.
Brian E says:
I'm not familiar with Condos. Don't most condos split the electrical expenses evenly between the tenants? It seems that knowledge is the key ingredient here.
How upset would you be if you knew another tenent kept their condo at 65º all summer long? However, you don't know where their thermostat is set, so it isn't an issue.
The only reason the car charging is an issue is because of the awareness.
To quibble over a few bucks a day, seems like a wasted effort – especially if you already entered into an agreement knowing you'd be sharing electrical costs.
At least here in So Cal, each unit has separately-metered electric and gas service. The "common area" electrical & gas (pool, spa, elevator, interior/exterior common area lighting, gate/garage functions, etc.) are separately metered and billed to the HOA. 1
In almost every instance, water & sewer is in common and also paid for by the HOA. In some unusual circumstances, hot water is a common function; however, most units have their own hot water heater (new developments use tankless systems). Also, each unit would have its own separate HVAC system even if part of the unit (compressor, heat pump) is located on common area (ground or roof).
We also have extremely high electrical rates that would make most people cringe. The only way to get the very low rates offered for charging an EV (part of the incentive to buy an EV in California), you have to have a separate or special meter – something what would not be the responsibility of the HOA.
At some point in the future – 20 – 50 years away, many new developments will include a charging station for each unit, but that has not been done. I have seen where one developer is offering a dedicated charging station for a condo parking space, but only as an upgrade/extra charge, like getting the better kitchen or appliances or floors.
Thanks for the informative reply. Makes me glad that I don't live in California. According to GM's volt site, it takes about 13kWh of electricity to charge the Volt. assuming one full charge every day @ $0.25/kwh is $3.25/day or $97.50/month. I guess there's not enough sense of community within condos to split that cost.
Well, I don't think it's just California. And California is a very friendly place for hybrids and EVs. You can't throw a stone without hitting 5 Prii and there are quite a few EVs running around.
I pay around $0.27/kWh for electricity. If there are 10 condo units with 2 owners plugging in, why should the other owners be asked to pay an extra $20/month to charge their neighbors' cars? We all pay for our gas separately. A separate meter charger from the utility can bring that down to $0.05/kWh, so it makes economic sense to have your own separate charger. Most EVs are pitched to families living in a single family home with a garage and multiple cars. The EV can be used for daily commutes and the gas-powered "other" cars can be used for extended trips, family vacations, etc.
I think what you do see is many employers have EV charging stations that are free for employees. Also several larger stores (e.g., Walgreen's – drugs, Ralph's – groceries) are installing them to get people to shop at their stores and stay a bit longer.
I wasn't aware that the separate meter rate was that much lower. That does make sense if the vehicle owner wants to spend the upfront cost. I understand that I'm in the minority on the willingness to pay issue. I'm a homeowner in Oklahoma, so I don't have any skin in that game. I just like to be willing to help out with the neighbors. I would like to think they would do the same for me in the spirit of community. However, I do see your point and realize that not many people think like I do in that respect.
I'm not too far from you with respect to community. I believe that there should be free public charging stations paid for by taxpayers as well as free charging stations at private businesses. It's good public policy. It encourages the use of EVs which, eventually, will be a significant portion of the vehicles sold.
California just announced another hard push to get a bigger percentage of alternative fuel vehicles on the road over the next decade and finally, the slightly revised Volt will be allowed a special sticker so it can ride solo in the HOV lanes along with the Leaf, Focus EV, Tesla Roadster, etc. That should help Volt sales in California.
The low electricity rates apply mostly to overnight charging when the utilities have extra capacity and would love a source to "store" that extra energy.
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