EV Charging: Individual or Shared Installation? Safety

Two Basic Approaches

There are two basic methods for electric vehicle charging in an apartment: individual units installed by each user in their own area, or a shared station installed in the building's common area. Both have their pros and risks; the right choice depends on the building's structure and demand.

Individual Installation

In individual installation, the user places a unit in their own parking space, connected to their own electrical subscription. The advantage: consumption is recorded directly on the user's meter, and there is no pricing issue. The disadvantage: each individual connection strains the building's electrical infrastructure separately, and if uncontrolled, the panel and main line capacity may become insufficient. Each installation also requires a separate safety inspection.

Shared Installation

In shared installation, a planned station is installed for the building; all users share it. The advantage: the infrastructure is installed once, with engineering calculations, in compliance with safety standards. With smart systems, each user's consumption is measured separately. The disadvantage: initial planning and the board decision are more comprehensive.

Safety: The Most Important Issue

Electric vehicle charging draws significant current, and improper installation carries a real fire risk. Unauthorized, individual connections made with extension cords and without engineering calculations are the most dangerous. For safe charging, the installation must always be made in accordance with the electrical internal installation rules, by authorized persons, with fire safety measures taken. This concerns the safety of the entire building, not just the user.

Which Method Is Better?

If demand is low and infrastructure is suitable, individual installation may be practical; however, as demand increases and the safety of the building is a priority, a planned shared installation is generally healthier. In either case, a legal permit is essential; we covered this in our legal permit article. For the general framework of the installation, you can refer to our main installation guide.

Common Mistakes

• Charging with an extension cord: The most dangerous method; high fire risk.
• Skipping engineering calculations: Installation without knowing the infrastructure capacity is risky.
• Not performing a safety inspection: Post-installation inspection must not be neglected.

This content is for informational purposes. Charging safety requires technical expertise; work with an authorized electrical engineer/firm.