No Garage? No Problem: 2,500 New EV Chargers Coming to Apartments
Hello ChargePoint EV charging for apartments. Because if you live in an apartment and dream of owning an electric vehicle? It’s definitely a tough one. Now If you do, you probably know the “garage gap” all too well. Most EV charging currently happens at home. However, that usually means a private garage or a dedicated driveway. Consequently, millions of renters feel left out of the green revolution. It is hard to go electric when you cannot plug in where you sleep. But things are finally changing in a big way.
ChargePoint and OBE Power recently announced a massive partnership. They are bringing 2,500 new EV charging ports to multifamily housing. This rollout starts in 2026. Therefore, the dream of easy charging for apartment dwellers is becoming a reality. This isn’t just a small pilot program. In fact, it is a major shift in how we think about urban infrastructure.
ChargePoint EV Leading The Charging-as-a-Service Revolution
Specifically, this deal uses a model called “Charging-as-a-Service” (CaaS). You might be wondering what that actually means for you. Usually, a landlord has to buy expensive chargers. They have to pay for installation. Then, they have to worry about maintenance and electricity bills. Because of these hurdles, many landlords simply say “no” to EV chargers.
OBE Power is changing that math entirely. Under this new partnership, OBE Power owns and operates the tech. They handle the installation, manage the repairs, deal with the insurance and energy cost reimbursements. Meanwhile, ChargePoint EV charging provides the industry-leading hardware and software. As a result, the landlord pays nothing upfront. It is a turnkey solution that removes every financial excuse for a building to stay in the dark ages.
Why Landlords Are Finally Saying Yes to ChargePoint EV Charging
Furthermore, this ChargePoint model makes EV charging an amenity rather than a headache. For years, property managers viewed chargers as a “nice to have” but “too expensive to manage.” However, the market is shifting rapidly. Tenants are now demanding these features. Similarly, newer developments are already baking charging into their blueprints. Older buildings risk losing high-quality tenants if they don’t keep up.
ChargePoint CEO Rick Wilmer noted that this partnership expands their reach into communities that lacked scalable solutions. By partnering with OBE Power, they are making it easy for property owners to say yes. Consequently, we will see a surge in Level 2 chargers across North America. These are the “slow and steady” chargers perfect for overnight use. You plug in when you get home from work. By the time you wake up, your car is ready for the day.
Green Living Tips for Renters
Living in a smaller space doesn’t mean you can’t have a big environmental impact. If you are looking for green living tips, start by advocating for your building. You don’t have to wait until 2026 to start the conversation. Talk to your HOA or property manager about the CaaS model. Show them that it costs them nothing to get started.
Additionally, consider these other ways to live sustainably in an apartment:
- Switch to LED lighting: It’s the easiest way to cut your energy bill.
- Use smart power strips: These prevent “vampire” energy drain from electronics.
- Look into community solar: Many states allow renters to buy into solar farms.
- Opt for eco-friendly cleaning products: Check out our guide on green cleaning for more.
Ultimately, having a charger at your apartment is the biggest game-changer. It makes the transition to a car like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid or a full EV much more practical.
Breaking Down the Barriers to ChargePoint EV Charging
Surprisingly, about 80% of EV charging currently happens at home. If you don’t have a home charger, you are forced to rely on public fast chargers. These are often more expensive. Also, they can be inconvenient if they aren’t on your normal route. Because of this, the “charging desert” in apartment complexes has been a major roadblock.
The ChargePoint and OBE Power deal aims to fix this. They have already aligned their development pipelines. This means they know exactly where these 2,500 ports are going. They are targeting high-density areas where the need is greatest. For instance, think about cities where street parking is a nightmare and private garages are a luxury. In those places, these 2,500 ports will feel like a lifeline.
How This Compares to Other Solutions
You might see other companies trying to solve this problem. For example, some utility companies offer rebates. However, those rebates often only cover a fraction of the cost. The landlord still has to manage the project. In contrast, the CaaS model is a complete hands-off experience for the property owner.
Other competitors like Electrek often report on fast-charging networks like Tesla’s Superchargers. While those are great for road trips, they aren’t the best solution for daily life. Overnight Level 2 charging is better for your battery health. It is also much cheaper in the long run. By focusing on where people “live, work, and stay,” OBE Power and ChargePoint are hitting the most important part of the ecosystem.
What to Expect in 2026
The rollout will begin in earnest in 2026. While that feels like a long time away, the planning is happening right now. The infrastructure needed for 2,500 ports is massive. It involves permits, grid upgrades, and physical construction. Therefore, the work behind the scenes is already in full swing.
Meanwhile, ChargePoint is also working on other innovations. They recently announced a 600 kW fast charger that fits in tight spaces. While that isn’t for your apartment, it shows that the hardware is getting smaller and more powerful. This makes it easier to fit charging tech into old parking structures that weren’t built with EVs in mind.
The Future is Shared
We are moving toward a future where “owning” a charger isn’t the goal. Instead, “accessing” a charger is what matters. This partnership proves that the industry is maturing. We are moving away from the “early adopter” phase where you needed a house in the suburbs to go green.
As a result of this deal, 2,500 families will soon have the ability to switch to an EV. That is 2,500 fewer gas-powered cars on the road. It means cleaner air in our cities. It also means more money in the pockets of renters who save on fuel. Specifically, the combination of ChargePoint’s software and OBE’s management makes the user experience seamless. You just plug in, use the app, and go about your day.
Final Thoughts
The “garage gap” is finally closing. This partnership between ChargePoint and OBE Power is a massive win for renters. It removes the financial barrier for landlords and the convenience barrier for tenants. Consequently, green living is becoming accessible to everyone, not just those with a three-car garage.
If you are a renter, keep an eye on your parking lot. You might see a ChargePoint station appearing sooner than you think. In the meantime, keep looking for those green living tips to make your apartment more efficient. The transition to clean energy is a marathon, not a sprint. But with 2,500 new chargers on the way, the finish line just got a lot closer.
For more updates on the latest in green tech and EV reviews, stay tuned to the Green Living Guy. We’ve been following the EV space since the beginning, and we aren’t stopping now. Whether it’s new EU rules on plastics or the latest Enel charging news, we’ve got you covered.
Outside Sources:
- Electrek: ChargePoint is bringing 2,500 EV charging ports to apartments
- ChargePoint Official: Partnership with OBE Power for Multifamily Housing
- InsideEVs: ChargePoint and OBE Power Tackle Apartment Charging
