Where to start a project to install an individual charging station in a multiple dwelling

Would you like to install a charging station in the parking area of your multiple dwelling, but don't know where to start?

Here is some general information along with guides to help you.

Installing a charging station in the parking area of a multiple dwelling is more complex than installing a home charging station.

Check with the owner of your multiple dwelling or with the condominium syndicate to find out whether the building’s electrical infrastructure is already adapted to support charging stations, or whether an upgrade project is planned.

It is preferable that the electrical infrastructure upgrade work be carried out by the building owner or the condominium syndicate, in order to optimize the electrical work and plan for the future installation of additional charging stations.

If this is not possible, you will need to take steps yourself with an electrical contractor to determine what work must be done to connect your charging station.

Here are some examples of work that is typically required:

Increase the capacity of the building’s electrical network to provide sufficient power to the charging stations.

• Install safety devices (circuit breakers, fuses, etc.) to ensure the safety of the electrical system.
• Install new cables and conduits to route electricity to the charging stations.

A multiple dwelling owner, property manager, property developer, or condominium syndicate may receive financial assistance to carry out the following:

• an analysis of the electrical infrastructure required to enable electric vehicle charging;
• electrical infrastructure modernization or upgrade work in preparation for the installation of charging stations;  
• acquisition and installation of charging stations in the parking area of a multiple dwelling

Talk to the owner of your multiple dwelling or with the condominium syndicate about the available financial assistance.

The financial assistance granted to a property owner, a manager, a property developer or a condominium syndicate for electrical infrastructure upgrade work may reach a maximum of $120,000 per building (not exceeding 50% of eligible expenses).

If you choose to carry out the electrical infrastructure upgrade for your charging station yourself, the amount you may receive, provided all program conditions are met, will be up to $5,000 (not exceeding 50% of eligible expenses).

About analysis work

Only the owner of the entire building or the condominium syndicate is eligible for financial assistance for electrical infrastructure analysis work.

A resident who owns an electric vehicle is not eligible for financial assistance for electrical infrastructure analysis work.

Example 1—Triplex built in 2020

You live in a triplex built in 2020. The building and parking areas have the basic electrical infrastructure required for the installation of charging stations.

You may apply for financial assistance for an individual charging station in a multiple dwelling:

• The installation costs for your individual charging station will not be considered eligible expenses.
• The acquisition costs for your individual charging station will be considered eligible expenses.
• For your individual charging station purchase and installation project, you will be eligible for the fixed amount of $600.

Example 2—Quadruplex built in 2017

You live in a quadruplex built in 2017. The electrical infrastructure to support charging stations was not installed during construction.

You may apply for financial assistance for an individual charging station in a multiple dwelling:

• The installation costs for your individual charging station (including the installation of the electrical infrastructure required for its operation) will be considered eligible expenses.
• The costs of analyzing the electrical work to be performed will not be considered eligible expenses.
• The acquisition costs for your individual charging station will be considered eligible expenses.
• For your individual charging station purchase and installation project, you will be eligible for financial assistance of up to $5,000.

Example 3—Electrical infrastructure upgrade in progress

The owner of your multiple dwelling or the condominium syndicate is carrying out electrical infrastructure upgrades in preparation for the future installation of charging stations in the parking areas. He is receiving financial assistance under the Écorecharge program for his charging project in a multiple dwelling.

Once the work is completed, the owner decides to wait before installing charging stations. Since you own an electric vehicle and wish to be able to charge it at home as soon as possible, you agree with the owner of the building or the condominium syndicate to have an individual charging station installed at your own expense.

You may apply for financial assistance for an individual charging station in a multiple dwelling:

• The installation costs for your individual charging station will not be considered eligible expenses.
• The acquisition costs for your individual charging station will be considered eligible expenses.
• For your individual charging station acquisition and installation project in a multiple dwelling, you will be eligible for the fixed amount of $600.

Hydro-Québec

Hydro-Québec publishes a guide on charging solution projects in multiple dwelling parking areas. This guide covers the technical, economic, functional, and legal aspects of such projects.

Refer to it to understand individual or shared infrastructure solutions, the importance of load controllers, and the choices to make to ensure optimal energy management.

Electric vehicle charging for muti-unit residential buildings  

Hydro-Québec, June 2022

Roulons électrique

The Roulons électrique website provides useful information on aspects to consider for a charging station project in a multiple dwelling.  

Website: Recharging an electric vehicle in a multi-residential context (in French only)

Accessibility of charging stations

To ensure that charging stations in multiple dwellings are accessible to persons with a mobility impairment, it is recommended to apply certain best installation practices.

Consult Section 4.8 – Accessibility of facilities for persons with a mobility impairment on this topic:

Charging stations for electric vehicles – Technical installation guide  

Hydro-Québec, August 2015