Quick answer: Shared EV chargers in apartments, condos and HOAs see more foot traffic, more users and more wear than a private garage. Keep them safe by planning cable reach for each space, keeping cables and connectors off the ground with overhead management and holsters, and setting clear rules and maintenance for everyone who uses them.
More residents are asking their building or HOA for EV charging. When chargers go into a shared garage or parking lot, the details that do not matter much in a private garage start to matter a lot: who walks past the cable, who maintains it, and what happens when it is left on the ground.
Why shared charging is different
- More foot traffic: residents, guests, delivery drivers and staff walk through the area, often carrying things.
- Many users: not everyone hangs the cable back up when they are done.
- More wear: cables left on the ground get driven over, stepped on and dragged.
- Board and management concerns: trip hazards and damaged equipment become a building issue, not just a resident issue.
What to plan for
- Placement: mount chargers where cables do not cross walkways, stairs, doors or ramps.
- Cable management: give every cable a place to live off the ground, both while charging and between sessions.
- Clear rules: post simple instructions: return the connector to its holster, report damage, move the car when charging is done.
- Inspections: check cables and connectors regularly for damage, and have a process to report and repair problems.
- Professional input: involve a licensed electrician, and consult your insurer and legal counsel about safety and accessibility requirements for your property.
Lifting cables overhead
A wall-mounted cable arm keeps the cable above walkways while it reaches the car. EV Hover extends up to 6 1/4 feet (9 1/4 feet with the extender), swivels 180 degrees and folds flat against the wall. It is made of powder-coated steel and aluminum and mounts to wall studs or masonry such as brick and concrete block. Optional holsters give each connector a home off the ground.
The City of Sun Prairie uses EV Hover arms at its fleet charging stations to keep cords off the sidewalk. Energy company E.ON is also piloting EV Hover for homes without a driveway.
For property managers and boards
We offer volume pricing for multifamily properties, HOAs and other shared sites. See our commercial and fleet page or email help@evhover.com.
Managing chargers for a building, HOA or fleet? See our commercial and fleet EV cable management options or email help@evhover.com for multi-unit pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for a shared EV charger cable?
Usually the property owner, HOA or charging provider maintains shared equipment. Set clear rules for residents and a process for reporting damage.
How do you stop people leaving charging cables on the ground?
Make it easy to put the cable away. Overhead cable arms and wall holsters keep the cable and connector off the ground by default.
Does EV Hover offer pricing for multiple units?
Yes. EV Hover offers pricing for multifamily properties, workplaces, fleets and municipalities. Email help@evhover.com.