In a bid to enhance electric vehicle (EV) adoption among low-income residents, the City of Denver has launched an innovative initiative aimed at facilitating access to EV charging facilities for apartment dwellers.
This initiative is essential, as most electric vehicle owners typically reside in single-family homes where they have convenient access to charging solutions, such as home chargers or standard outlets in garages.
The high costs of EV chargers designed for public use make it challenging for those living in multi-family housing to enjoy the same benefits as homeowners.
On Thursday, Mayor Mike Johnston participated in a ribbon-cutting event to unveil a bank of six EV chargers outside Sienna at Sloanes Lake, an affordable housing complex converted from a 1940s-era dorm for nurses.
Mayor Johnston expressed optimism about making electric vehicles more accessible, stating, “It used to be that if a vehicle was electric, only some folks could afford it. No one is more likely to want to use an electric vehicle than someone who’s living in affordable housing.”
While the average cost of a new electric vehicle in the United States is around $58,000, this price is still prohibitive for most low-income families.
Fortunately, Colorado has programs designed to assist lower-income residents in affording EVs. Furthermore, the depreciating value of plug-in vehicles suggests that pre-owned electric cars are becoming comparably priced to used gas-powered cars, according to latest sales reports from Cox Automotive.
In addition to providing an affordable means for apartment residents to charge their EVs, this project aims to support Denver’s ambitious climate initiatives amidst a reduction in federal government backing for environmentally-friendly technologies.
Unlike many city projects, the construction and installation of these chargers did not rely on city funding.
Koelbel and Co., the developer behind the Sienna complex, outsourced the charging infrastructure to Buzze, a company dedicated to installing EV chargers at commercial and multi-family properties.
Support from Xcel Energy, which provided rebates to help subsidize the charging installations, also played a significant role.
Plans are underway for Buzze to install 600 chargers throughout Denver over the next year, targeting a majority of installations at affordable housing locations, according to Aaron Lieberman, the company’s founder and CEO.
Lieberman’s personal experience with electric vehicles inspired him to start his company.
After initially struggling with unreliable public charging options, he found that having a home charger transformed his EV ownership experience into something enjoyable.
“That’s the dream that’s being made possible for everybody who lives in this development,” Lieberman said, referring to the new charging capabilities at Sienna.
The landscape for electric vehicle ownership is particularly encouraging in Colorado, with a growing number of drivers stepping into all-electric transportation.
According to a recent report from the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association, more than 32% of new vehicles registered in Colorado last quarter were electric.
In fact, Colorado has recently achieved the highest EV adoption rate in the nation, even surpassing California, during the third quarter.
State records reveal that over 210,000 electric vehicles are registered in Colorado today, comprising more than 55,000 plug-in hybrids and approximately 155,000 fully battery-electric vehicles.
Xcel Energy is notable in its commitment to promoting EV adoption in the state, having approved a substantial $264 million plan for the upcoming year to provide rebates for EV purchases and support for expanding EV infrastructure.
Their company offers up to $20,000 in rebates for each charging port installed at apartment complexes, especially in economically challenged communities.
Robert Kenney, Xcel Energy’s Colorado division president, emphasized the utility’s dedication to making electric transportation accessible for all.
“The future of transportation is electric, and that future has to be accessible to everyone,” Kenney remarked.
While the new Buzze charging stations provide an option for apartment residents, the cost of charging at these facilities remains higher than residential rates.
Users will pay between 35 cents to 40 cents per kilowatt hour to charge their vehicles.
With standard EV batteries ranging from 60 to 100 kWh, a complete recharge at these outlets may cost around $30.
In comparison, Xcel Energy charges residential customers approximately 15 cents per kWh, translating to roughly half the cost for residents who can charge at home.
Lieberman acknowledged that the additional costs at public chargers contribute to the necessary infrastructure and software that support the charging systems.
Despite being more expensive than home charging, the cost remains considerably lower than utilizing high-powered fast chargers from companies like Tesla and Electrify America.
Lieberman concluded, “And all of it beats gas without the oil changes and everything else.”
image source from：denverite
