Nationwide Right-to-Charge Policies Support EV Adoption 

As the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) grows rapidly, ensuring equitable access to affordable EV charging is becoming an increasingly important challenge. One of the most crucial factors in providing affordable EV access is ensuring that drivers have the ability to charge their vehicles at home. For those living in single-family homes, charging at home is very convenient, and offers significant savings over gas-powered vehicles. 

However, for drivers who rely on public or shared-use charging stations, the situation is different. Public chargers are often significantly more expensive, with prices being two or even three times higher than home charging. 

Not every electric car driver has access to a private parking space like a garage or driveway where they can install a home charger. Many U.S. households are multi-family housing, apartments, townhouses, or condominiums, where charging access is often limited or nonexistent. The National Association of Home Builders reported that according to a 2019 survey conducted by the American Housing Survey and the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 31.4 percent of housing in the U.S. today is multifamily. 

Many drivers face additional challenges when trying to install a home charging station, even if they do have access to parking. For instance, multi-unit homeowners living in planned developments may be restricted by homeowners’ associations (HOAs) from installing EV charging infrastructure, and renters often face even more stringent obstacles. 

Fortunately, some states are working to improve access to EVs and remove barriers through policies designed to ensure that all EV drivers, including those without access to private parking, can access charging stations at home. These policies, commonly referred to as “right-to-charge” laws, aim to eliminate barriers for residents of multi-family housing by granting them the right to install electric vehicle charging stations for their personal use. 

These laws are designed to prevent HOAs, property owners, or building managers from imposing undue burdens on residents seeking to install charging infrastructure. However, at the time of this writing, only a handful of states—California, Colorado, Connecticut, and Illinois—along with the District of Columbia, provide protections for both homeowners and renters to install EV chargers. In other states, the focus of the policies is typically on single-family homeowners or condominium owners, leaving renters without legal protection. 

Expanding right-to-charge policies can help enable more inclusive EV adoption. These policies are increasingly being considered as a way to ensure charging access for both renters and homeowners. 

Right to charge laws make it easier for EV charging companies and Charge Point Operators to install EV charging at multifamily properties. Under the right to charge laws, owners and renters are allowed to install EV chargers in their designated parking spaces, as long as they cover the installation and maintenance costs. According to leading nonprofit Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management, (NESCAUM), right to charge laws do not require HOAs or rental property building owners or managers to pay for charging for an individual’s use or to install charging as an amenity for multiple owners or renters. 

The goal is to make home charging accessible, affordable, and equitable for everyone, regardless of where they live. By implementing comprehensive right-to-charge policies, state governments are ensuring that the benefits of electric vehicles are available to all drivers. See Plug in America’s resource map for up-to-date information on nationwide right-to-charge policies. 

Lynkwell’s Role in Expanding EV Charging Access 

Lynkwell delivers EV charging solutions designed to support broader accessibility across a range of property types, including multifamily housing. The company offers nationwide installation services and recognizes that policies such as right-to-charge laws may impact charging availability for renters and homeowners in different regions. 

Lynkwell’s services are available nationwide. The company is based in the Northeast. In Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York, right-to-charge protection for owners is available, but not protection for renters. The only areas in the Northeast that offer protection for both owners and renters are currently the District of Columbia and Connecticut. 

Lynkwell serves as the gateway to e-mobility and energy management, providing businesses, fleets, partners, utilities, and drivers with a comprehensive platform. The company’s X‑Change hub acts as a central point where all stakeholders can access a wide range of curated products and services that accelerate the transition to clean transportation. Lynkwell brings together top-tier EV charging solutions to support zero emission vehicles. 

The company ensures 24/7 support through its US-based site host and driver assistance teams, with all hardware, software, and service teams also based in the United States. 

Thousands of Lynkwell charging stations are available across the United States, Canada, and Guam, ensuring accessibility at a broad scale. Lynkwell is committed to fostering long-term growth by driving resiliency throughout the e-mobility value chain, offering seamless connectivity at every level. Its curated hardware provides access to best-in-class equipment tailored for specific needs, while its performance software enables the integration of EV charging ecosystems with innovative connectivity solutions. 

Additionally, Lynkwell offers comprehensive services and efficient procurement support by providing valuable insights into programs, incentives, and rebates. For more information, download Lynkwell’s “Ultimate Guide to Maximizing Multifamily Resident Retention with EV Charging Solutions.”