A question that we frequently get is “can we use reserves for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations”?

The quick answer is no…. Reserves are intended for maintaining existing community assets. Once the stations are installed they can be maintained with reserves but not until then.  These stations can consume quite a bit of power and not all the owners will benefit. Washington is considered an EV friendly state so if your association board has not adopted an EV policy, it should have that discussion sooner than later.

Its recommended that the association develop a policy that follows Washington’s Condominium Act. RCW 64.34.395 on Electric vehicle charging stations.
We have seen discussions on whether the association should “own” the charging station or individuals own the station. Our feeling is that this should be an owner responsibility but that may be complicated by having to designate stalls for that owner’s charging station. This will eliminate issues with owners monopolizing the charging station and separate billing for power used. If the board can get ahead of the request then they will have the opportunity to craft a policy that is fair to everyone.