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Needham committee debates strategy to expand EV charging for apartments and condominiums
Summary
The Climate Action Committee discussed barriers to installing EV chargers at multifamily properties, utility incentives, outreach to the Chamber of Commerce and a parking‑requirements grant that includes 'future proofing' for EVs.
The Climate Action Committee focused part of its June 2 meeting on the challenge of increasing EV charging access for renters and multifamily properties in Needham.
Committee members described two parallel approaches: pursue broad residential adoption among single‑family homeowners, and separately tackle the harder problem of adding chargers at apartment and condominium complexes. Participants argued the town should pursue both paths: continue outreach and incentives that encourage homeowners to choose EVs at purchase time, while also pressing multifamily owners and regional developers to install chargers.
Staff noted that utility incentives for multifamily charging from Eversource remain available but are underused. The committee discussed outreach options including contacting the Chamber of Commerce and the town’s economic development manager, identifying condominium associations, and engaging regional real estate and property‑management stakeholders. Members recommended trying to find association contacts and a regional point of contact for large property owners rather than only individual property managers.
The committee also flagged a Low Impact Development (LID) parking‑requirements grant that includes a ‘‘future proofing’’ section to consider EV chargers and easier installation for the future. Members identified Hingham as an example to research; staff agreed to collect planning‑board language where local ordinances require chargers for new lots above a size threshold.
No regulatory requirement was adopted by the committee on June 2. The group directed staff to pursue outreach to the Chamber, the town’s economic development office and identified property contacts, and to include EV charging strategies in the ongoing Electrify Needham campaign.
