How to charge an electric car while living in an apartment building in Ukraine

Electric vehicles are gaining popularity in Ukraine, but owners living in apartment buildings often face the question of how to organise charging. Unlike private homes, where it is easy to install a home charging station, this task can be more challenging in high-rise buildings. In this article, we will look at the options for charging electric vehicles for residents of apartment buildings, as well as share tips on how to effectively use the existing infrastructure.

Key questions

Where can I charge my electric car?

• Public charging stations: station map, iPhone app, Android application.
• Private charging stations: you can buy them here.
• A household or power socket in the garage.
• From any socket, sometimes people run a separate cable from their apartment to the place where their car is parked near the house. Sometimes even through an ordinary household extension cord from the window of an apartment building.

How do I charge from a power outlet?

To charge from a regular household or power outlet, you need to purchase a mobile charger.

We, the company ECOFACTORis the largest manufacturer of chargers in Ukraine. You can familiarise yourself with a range of mobile charging stations at this link. Various Cables and adapters are available hereincluding adapters from single-phase to three-phase power sockets.

How do I charge at public stations?

A map of these stations can be found hereECOFACTOR app with a map of Ukrainian stations is available for iOS in the AppStore and Android on Google Play by following these links.

How convenient is it in practice?

It is ideal, of course, to be able to connect your electric car to a charger overnight. In this case, you will not waste time visiting public charging stations, and the price per kilometre will be minimal. You don't need a lot of power here; a regular 16A socket, from which you will take, for example, 13A and receive about 3kW of power, is more than enough, as you can restore the electricity consumed during the day overnight.

If you drive a lot and the car does not have time to charge sufficiently from a household outlet overnight, you can connect it to a 32A power outlet, with single-phase charging delivering over 7kW and three-phase charging over 20kW, which will allow you to charge the car to a full battery in a few hours and is more than enough for daily use, even if you drive a lot.

For long journeys, you need to use public charging stations. To do this, just install our app for iOS in the AppStore or for Android on Google Play and have adapters to charge your car at different stations if your car is not European and the port is different from CSS2 Combo. Most fast stations in Ukraine and Europe have a CSS2 connector with a capacity of sometimes hundreds of kW, slow stations have Type 2 or Type 1 connectors. CHADEMO stations with a capacity of up to 50 kW are gradually disappearing, and the adapter for them is not the cheapest, so its purchase is not mandatory.

Using public charging stations near your home

For residents of apartment buildings who cannot install a charging station at home, one of the most convenient options is to use public charging stations. The number of such stations is constantly growing in Ukraine, especially in large cities. Public charging stations are located in shopping centres, car parks, petrol stations and other key locations, making charging accessible to electric vehicle owners.

Advantages of using public charging stations:

• Availability
  Public stations are located in convenient locations, such as supermarkets, shopping centres, petrol stations and car parks, allowing you to charge your car while you go about your daily routine.
• Different types of charging
  Most public stations offer both slow alternating current (AC) and fast direct current (DC) charging, allowing you to choose depending on the time you are willing to spend charging.
• Mobile applications for convenience
  Many charging station operators offer mobile applications that allow you to find the nearest charging station, check its capacity and availability, and pay for charging services.

How to use public charging stations effectively:

1. Plan your route with charging stations
   Use mobile apps such as PlugShare or special apps from charging station operators to plan your routes in advance with charging points in mind.
2. Charge your vehicle during long stops
   It is best to charge your vehicle during long stops, for example, when visiting a shopping centre, cinema or office. This will minimise the time spent charging.
3. Use fast charging for long journeys
   If you're planning a long journey, take advantage of fast-charging stations that allow you to recharge up to 80% batteries in just 30-40 minutes. This is useful for quick stops on motorways.

Public charging stations are a reliable and convenient solution for residents of high-rise buildings who cannot install home charging.

Charging an electric vehicle in underground and above-ground car parks

Underground or above-ground car parks of apartment buildings can be a great solution for charging electric vehicles. Residents of such buildings can ask the management company or condominium association to install chargers in the car park. Charging stations in the car park provide a comfortable way to charge a car without having to search for public stations.

How to arrange for the installation of charging points in the car park:

1. Contacting a management company or condominium
   The first step is to approach the building management or condominium association with a proposal to install charging stations. Explain how this will improve the building's infrastructure and may attract more residents who use electric vehicles.
2. Assessment of technical capabilities
   Before installing the charging station, check the electrical network of the car park for compliance with the requirements for connecting chargers. It may be necessary to upgrade the power grid or install additional lines.
3. Allocation of costs and responsibilities
   The charging stations can be financed either jointly by the residents or by the housing association. Once installed, a payment system can be set up for the use of the charging station through a mobile application or by agreement between the residents and the building management.
4. Selecting the type of charging station
   Both conventional alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) fast chargers can be installed, depending on the needs of the occupants. It is important to consider the charging power and speed that will be sufficient for daily use.

Car parks of apartment buildings are an ideal place to install charging stations, as residents can charge their cars overnight or during long stays at home.

Solutions for shared charging in condominiums

In many apartment buildings, residents are united through condominiums (apartment building co-owners associations) to address various issues, including the installation of charging stations for electric vehicles. This joint solution not only reduces installation costs, but also ensures comfortable use of charging stations for all owners of electric vehicles in the building.

The HOA can initiate the process of installing a charging station by collecting suggestions from residents and identifying common needs. It is important to agree on aspects such as the type of charging station, the location of the installation, and the payment mechanism for electricity use.

The main steps to organise joint charging through condominiums:

• Residents' meetings for discussion
  At a residents' meeting, you can determine how many electric vehicle owners are interested in installing charging stations. This will help to understand what needs exist and what equipment would be most appropriate for use.
• Choosing a charging station
  After determining the number of interested residents, the HOA can choose a suitable charging station. It is important to consider both the charging capacity and the possibility of simultaneous use by several cars.
• Project financing
  The cost of installing a charging station can be shared among interested residents or financed from the HOA budget. Once installed, a payment system can be developed to allow each user to pay for actual consumption.

A joint installation of a charging station through an HOA is an effective way to organise electric vehicle charging in an apartment building, while maintaining a balance between convenience and savings for residents.

Portable chargers for temporary solutions

For those who do not have access to their own car park or stationary charging stations, portable chargers can be a temporary solution. Such devices allow you to charge your electric vehicle even in situations where there is no permanent connection to a stationary charging station.

Portable chargers (portable chargers) are usually plugged into a regular 220V outlet. Although this method of charging is slow, it can be effective for charging your vehicle during long stays at home or overnight.

Features of using portable chargers:

• Advantages.
  Portable chargers are convenient because they can be used anywhere with access to a power outlet. Owners can store them in their cars and use them whenever they are needed. This is a great option for those who temporarily do not have access to a stationary charging point.
• Restrictions.
  Charging via a conventional outlet can take a long time - from 12 to 20 hours, depending on the battery capacity. In addition, without special equipment, it is not always possible to control the charging process and safely use the outlet in older homes with an unstable power supply. 
• Planning a charging point
  If you live on higher floors and do not have your own parking space, you should arrange with your neighbours or the management company to use a socket in the basement or car park. Connecting the charger over a long distance with an extension cord is not recommended due to safety risks.

Portable chargers are a good temporary option for charging your electric vehicle until you can install a permanent charging station or use public charging points.

Opportunities for developing charging infrastructure in apartment buildings

The charging infrastructure in apartment buildings in Ukraine is just beginning to develop, but the prospects for its growth look promising. The number of electric vehicles is growing every year, and so is the demand for convenient and affordable charging solutions. This creates opportunities for the installation of new charging stations in cities and even in old residential buildings.

Prospects for infrastructure development:

• Initiatives of condominiums and management companies
  In high-rise buildings, there are more and more initiatives by condominiums and residents to install charging stations in underground and above-ground car parks. Management companies and HOAs can enter into contracts with companies that install charging stations, providing technical support and maintenance.
• Government initiatives
  Ukraine already has programmes in place to support the development of charging infrastructure, which facilitate the installation of stations both in public places and in residential complexes. The government encourages the installation of chargers by providing subsidies or benefits to companies and housing associations.
• Private initiatives
  More and more private investors see the potential in installing charging stations in apartment buildings and residential complexes. They offer modern solutions that allow residents to charge their electric vehicles safely and conveniently, as well as generate revenue from the use of the stations by other drivers.

The charging infrastructure for high-rise buildings is evolving, and there are already many opportunities to improve the charging conditions for electric vehicles in such buildings.

ECOFACTOR's role in providing charging solutions for apartment blocks

We, ECOFACTORWe understand the importance of access to convenient charging infrastructure for residents of apartment buildings. Our company is actively working on the development of charging solutions that provide comfortable charging of electric vehicles right next to the house. We offer different types of charging stations for multi-storey buildings, taking into account the specific needs of residents.

What we offer for apartment buildings:

• Installation of charging stations in car parks
  We cooperate with housing associations, management companies and private investors to install charging stations in underground and above-ground car parks. This allows residents to charge their cars right at home without having to find public charging points.
• Technical support and maintenance
  Our charging stations are integrated into the ECOFACTOR network, which allows users to access the stations via a mobile app, control the charging process and pay for services online. We also provide 24/7 technical support so that residents can use our stations safely and reliably.
• Flexible conditions for business and condominiums
  We offer condominiums and management companies flexible terms for the installation and maintenance of charging stations. Residents can earn passive income from the use of chargers by other drivers or simply use a convenient solution to charge their cars.

Thanks to our efforts, charging electric vehicles is becoming more accessible and easy for residents of high-rise buildings. We are constantly expanding our network of charging stations and offering innovative solutions for residents who want to use electric vehicles in their daily lives.

Conclusion.

Charging an electric vehicle in an apartment building in Ukraine is a challenge, but with the right solutions, it becomes quite realistic. Residents of high-rise buildings can use public charging stations, install chargers in car parks, or join forces through condominiums to charge together. Portable chargers can also serve as a temporary solution until a permanent charging point is found.

ECOFACTOR actively promotes the development of charging infrastructure for high-rise buildings, providing convenient solutions for residents and businesses. We help to create an environmentally friendly infrastructure that allows you to conveniently charge electric vehicles right next to your home, making electric transport even more accessible to Ukrainians.

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