Making it easier for homeowners and condominium owners associations to install shared electric vehicle charging stations for their residents is the goal of the Charge Up Fairfax pilot program. 

Interested HOAs and COAs – including multi-family condo buildings, clusters, or townhome communities – are encouraged to apply now to the pilot program to receive technical and financial assistance. 

The Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination will host a webinar on Thursday, September 14 at 12:30 p.m. to address questions about the pilot program and how to apply. 

Electric vehicles, or EVs, are better for the environment and less expensive to fuel and maintain than gas-powered vehicles. Rebate and incentive programs for the purchase of EVs – including federal tax credits of up to $7,500 – are reducing the cost and driving up demand. 

EVs are the fastest-growing segment of the auto industry, with record sales of 300,000 in the second quarter of 2023, a 48% increase from a year earlier. And EV sales in the U.S. are forecasted to reach 40 to 50% of total passenger car sales by 2030.

The convenience of at-home charging makes EV ownership more practical, but that can be a barrier for residents of HOAs and COAs who may not have access to power near their parking space. Community associations that offer green amenities like EV charging stations are more attractive to homeowners and renters.

HOA communities that apply and are accepted into the Charge Up Fairfax pilot program will receive a site visit and assessment from an engineering firm, paid for by the county. If the HOA decides to proceed with the purchase and installation of Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations, they’ll hire a contractor to perform the necessary permitting, electrical upgrades, installation of equipment, and final inspection.  

Following installation, HOAs participating in the program can seek reimbursement for some of the costs.  All HOAs will be eligible for one-third of eligible expenses, up to $5,000. HOA communities classified as having high or very high vulnerability in the Fairfax County Vulnerability Index or classified as disadvantaged in the Federal Government’s Justice40 Initiative, will be eligible for up to $10,000.

The application period for the Charge Up Fairfax pilot program will close on November 12, 2023.  More information is available on the Charge Up Fairfax webpage.