Article by:

Austin Young

Topics:

Environment

Published:

November 14, 2022

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EV Charger Incentives and Policies Present New Multifamily Opportunities in CA

With California hitting the milestone of 1 million plug-in electric vehicles sold, an electric vehicle (EV) charging site is a high-value and strategic amenity for multifamily properties. Studies show that despite representing only 10% of the automobiles in the US, California has over 40% of the nation’s zero-emission cars. One study by the California Energy Commission (CEC) estimates that we need 1.2 million public and shared EV chargers by 2030 to meet the demand of the projected electric vehicle usage. California has signaled its intent to electrify buildings and transportation with strong policies and incentives to decarbonize these sectors of the economy.

New Multifamily EV Charging Opportunities

California’s recent legislation banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035 solidifies the future of EV charging needs in California. The state is making significant investments in transportation electrification over the next 5 years, including new programs and more funding for existing ones. These incentives allow multifamily properties to get ahead of the curve with EV charging. Not only does it increase property value, and attract and retain residents now, but it will also keep your property in high demand for years to come. Vehicle-to-Grid policies that are being explored could yield new energy optimization strategies and additional revenue in the future.

New legislation passed in 2022 will authorize the study of and potential changes to California building codes to incorporate multifamily EV charging. Instead of waiting for costly regulatory mandates, now is the time to act while funding for these resources is available. Multifamily owners can reduce their upfront investment by taking advantage of the EV charger incentives and rebates available now.

Below we’re covering the programs from the three largest utility companies. Many of these incentives already have a waitlist, so you must act quickly to take advantage of them. Contact us today to learn more about how to get ahead of the transportation electrification curve and integrate EV charging into your community!

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)

Charger Rebates

One-time rebate for single and dual port chargers, network service, and maintenance.
Not applicable to SDG&E-owned chargers.
L2 Single Port Charger

Equipment Rebate - 100% of charger cost up to $5,000
Network Service - up to $3,000
Maintenance - up to $5,000

L2 Dual Port Charger

Equipment Rebate - 100% of charger cost up to $7,000
Network Service - up to $5,000
Maintenance - up to $5,000

Power Your Drive Program

SDG&E-Owned Infrastructure, Customer-Owned Chargers

SDG&E pays for, constructs, maintains, and owns the infrastructure right up to the charging station
You pay for, construct, maintain, and own the charging station
Recover your costs with a rebate of up to 100% of the charging station.

Customer-Owned Infrastructure, Customer-Owned Chargers

SDG&E pays for, constructs, maintains, and owns all infrastructure up to the meter.
You pay for, construct, maintain, and own infrastructure from the meter to your charging station and the station itself.
A rebate covers up to 100% of the cost of the customer-side infrastructure.
An additional rebate is provided for up to 100% of the cost of the charging station.

SDG&E-Owned Infrastructure, SDG&E-Owned Chargers

Available only to sites in underserved communities that provide an easement to their property.
SDG&E covers 100% of the cost, construction, and maintenance of all infrastructure, including the charging station.

Southern California Edison (SCE)

Turn-Key Installation Program

Multifamily properties located in designated Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) are eligible for:

SCE program funds the design, construction, install, operation, and maintenance of the EV charging station.
Program participants will be responsible for the utility bill. However, fees charged to electric vehicle owners will reduce or cover that expense.

Charging Infrastructure and Rebate Program

Open to all multifamily residential properties that will install four or more EV charging ports:

SCE covers the cost and construction of system infrastructure up to the meter.
SCE will also handle the infrastructure from the meter to the charging station, or you can handle it and receive a rebate of up to 80% of SCE’s estimated costs for the work.
You handle the installation and maintenance of the EV chargers and receive a rebate for the purchase and installation costs.

New Construction Rebate Program

New construction of multifamily housing may be eligible for:

Rebates of up to $3,500 per EV charging port.
Available until 2025 or until all program funding is used.

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)

EV Fast Charge Program

EV Charge Sponsor

For multi-unit dwellings (MUDs) and properties in disadvantaged communities.
Program participants pay a one-time participation fee.
PG&E pays for and installs all infrastructure and EV chargers.

EV Charge Owner

PG&E covers the construction and maintenance of all infrastructure up to the EV charger.
They also cover a portion of the EV charger expenses.
Some sites qualify for a rebate of up to $25,000 per charger if they meet Disadvantaged Community (DAC) requirements.
The program requires the installation of at least 10 EV chargers per site.
Allows participants to define access to the chargers, including reserving for employees, fleets, or opening to the public.

Multifamily Benefits of New EV Charger Opportunities

These rebates and incentives give multifamily properties the opportunity to get ahead of the curve with EV charging. Not only does it increase property value and attract and retain residents now, but it will also keep your property in high demand for years to come. California’s recent legislation banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035 solidifies the future of EV charging needs in California. All the more reason to reduce your upfront investment by taking advantage of the EV charger incentives and rebates available now.

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Pioneering the Future of Multi-Tenant Solar Energy Management

2024 was a trailblazing year for Ivy Energy, where we shattered barriers, redefined possibilities, and delivered innovative solutions to address the multi-tenant solar split incentive challenge. By driving product advancements, forging impactful partnerships, and scaling operational processes, we empowered multi-tenant properties to embrace clean energy with confidence.

A Year of Growth and Market Expansion

Ivy has grown its active project pipeline 450% compared to 2023, with a line of sight to clear +600% in active projects by the end of the year. Our tech-enabled solutions empower more communities than ever. With $18M in Series A funding (Read more) and the strategic acquisition of Glow Energy (Read more), we are poised for unprecedented growth and impact. This investment enables us to enhance our technology, streamline operations, and expand our reach into new markets nationwide.

Entering new markets with increased resources allows us to address diverse energy challenges and deliver tailored solutions to property owners and tenants. Additionally, the launch of our consulting arm provides expert guidance for our clients and partners to save money and enhance ROI while navigating intricate solar investments.

Meaningful Operational Updates

At Ivy, innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about creating digital tools that empower our clients and their tenants:

PropTech Integrations: Partnered with RealPage, Entrata, and Yardi to automate rent roll syncing, move-in/move-out updates, and direct charge posting to resident ledgers. These integrations reduce monthly processing time by up to 2 hours per property while enhancing data accuracy and operational efficiency.
NEM Credit Delay Optimization: The Utility Coordination team adopted the CPUC informal complaint process to reduce delays in NEM activation after PV solar system commissioning. This improvement cut the average resolution time for delayed NEM credits from 123 days in 2023 to 49 days in 2024, allowing property owners to see Net Operating Income over two months sooner on average.

Platform Advancements that Lead the Industry

Our engineering team broke new ground, ensuring our platform stays ahead of the curve:

Migrated to a new infrastructure processing system for faster processing and further automation improvements across operational features.
Introduced IvyDual in response to regulatory requirements in California, which allows us to enter new markets where consolidated billing is not viable.
Achieved SOC 2 Compliance, reaffirming our commitment to data security. (Read more)
Built initial public API for Conservice integration and new utility data access pathways, strengthening our platform’s versatility and reliability.

Empowering Positive Experiences with CX

At Ivy Energy, our customers rely on us as true partners in their clean energy journey, helping them achieve long-term NOI growth while providing exceptional support for property owners and tenants. We consistently deliver this experience by simplifying complex utility processes and offering our white-glove service that ensures our clients feel supported, informed, and empowered to succeed. This year, Ivy’s Customer Experience Team launched two significant platforms:

Ivy Implementation Portal: A step-by-step, transparent portal that simplifies solar implementation for our clients and partners across multiple organizations. (Watch a walkthrough of the new portal here.)
Resident Help Center: Educate tenants about the solar program with helpful resources and offer direct support online or by phone. (Explore the Help Center)

Shaping the Future Through Thought Leadership

In 2024, Ivy Energy reinforced its position as an industry leader; our Virtual Grid 3.0 impressed the judges and earned first place in Solar Power World’s “Best in Show” award for large-scale solar innovation. (Read more)

Leadership team members Alex Dogan, Tanya Kuhn, and Sean Nam were celebrated in San Diego Business Journal’s Leaders of Influence in Technology 2024 for their contributions to advancing sustainable energy. (Read more) Ivy was also featured in Alt Energy Magazine (Read more), San Diego Business Journal (Read more), and on Solar Academy. (Read more)

Logan Carter showcased Ivy’s groundbreaking innovations in a main stage speech at Cretech NY (Watch here), an engaging appearance on the IMN Podcast (Listen here), and a deep-dive interview with Chris Moreno, also known as “Mr. PropTech.” (Watch here) Ivy’s policy team further expanded its influence by authoring a Model VNEM Whitepaper, a critical guide to enabling multi-tenant solar models nationwide. (Read the Whitepaper).

Measurable Environmental Impact

This year, Ivy Energy amplified its environmental contributions, with contracted units in implementation set to offset an astounding 109 million pounds of CO2. Meanwhile, active units have already offset 9 million pounds of CO2, demonstrating our ongoing dedication to reducing carbon emissions.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we celebrate 2024’s successes, we are always looking to the future. In 2025, we’ll continue to push boundaries, deliver innovations that empower our clients, improve tenant experiences, and lead the multi-tenant housing sector toward a sustainable future.

A Message from Dover Janis, CEO of Ivy Energy

“2024 was a year of progress and adaptation. While utility-caused delays challenged our growing pipeline, our focus on agile problem-solving reduced their impact and kept the market moving forward. This is a testament not only to the dedication and focus of our team but also to the strong macro-level foundation that the onsite energy business model provides for real estate owners, even in the face of monopoly-driven resistance. With a large and expanding customer base and hundreds of projects, we have continued to validate the transformative potential of clean energy solutions for shared communities. I’m incredibly proud of our team—now among the most mature, knowledgeable, and experienced in the industry—as we trail blaze the path forward. The market is primed to grow and drive transformative change in local communities. I’m deeply grateful to our partners and customers, whom we have the privilege of serving every day as we continue to lead the way.”

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