01

Start with the building, not the chargers

A three-level parking garage creates a distribution and governance problem before it creates a charger-selection problem. The first questions are available electrical capacity, meter and panel configuration, feeder routes, fire separations, communications, parking ownership, and how future users will be billed.

The most expensive mistake is installing isolated chargers without a building-wide expansion plan. Early work should produce a scalable basis of design and a board decision package—not a shopping list.

02

Phase 1 — due diligence

Document the existing electrical system and garage conditions with the appropriate consultants and licensed trades. Confirm available records, field conditions, utility constraints, service and transformer capacity, distribution space, cable routes, cellular or network coverage, drainage, impact protection, and permit requirements.

  • Load profile and electrical-capacity review
  • Parking-stall and ownership map
  • Concept feeder, panel, and pathway routes across all levels
  • Network, access-control, billing, and data requirements
  • Order-of-magnitude budget, phasing options, and decision risks

03

Phase 2 — build the backbone

Where demand will grow over time, a shared infrastructure backbone can be more economical than repeating disruptive work for each new charger. The design may include capacity management, distribution, communications, pathways, and provisions sized for the approved adoption scenario.

The exact solution must be designed and permitted for the building. Equipment selection should follow the electrical and operational requirements—not lead them.

04

Phase 3 — controlled expansion

Create a repeatable process for owner requests: approved equipment, licensed installation, commissioning, network enrollment, billing, labelling, documentation, and cost responsibility. This protects the common system as adoption grows.

  • Standard owner application and approval path
  • Defined electrical and network connection details
  • Commissioning and as-built update requirements
  • Rules for maintenance, replacement, billing, and future upgrades

05

What the condo board should approve

A strong board package presents the basis of design, phasing, common and owner-specific costs, procurement path, operational responsibilities, risks, and the decisions that cannot be deferred. Legal, engineering, utility, insurer, and condominium-governance advice should be coordinated for the specific property.