Fairfax County is making it easier for residents living in homeowner associations and condominiums to access electric vehicle (EV) charging stations through its innovative Charge Up Fairfax program.
“Charge Up Fairfax is a program to help residents of community associations gain access to electric vehicle charging,” explains Julie Gurnee, program manager at Fairfax County’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination. “We found that these residents face unique challenges to at-home EV charging, so Charge Up Fairfax aims to help these communities overcome some of these challenges.”
The program specifically targets residents who don’t have easy access to at-home charging because they lack private garages or driveways.
Community associations accepted into the program receive several benefits:
- A free site visit from county staff and engineers
- A comprehensive feasibility study
- Grant funding of up to $5,000 after installation ($10,000 for communities in equity-designated locations)
Charge Up Fairfax
Here are the key steps for a community association to get involved in the Charge Up Fairfax Program:
- Application: Community associations need to apply through the Charge Up Fairfax webpage. The application is free.
- Site Visit: Once accepted, a team of experts visits the site to understand the layout and any challenges. They look at power sources and other conditions to create a feasibility study.
- Feasibility Study: This study includes all findings, estimated costs and project timelines. It’s provided free of charge to the community.
- Installation: Based on the study, communities can start installing the charging stations. They might choose a single-port charger for one car or a dual-port charger for two cars.
- Reimbursement: After installation, communities can get partial grant reimbursements. Up to $5,000 is available, or up to $10,000 for communities in higher vulnerability areas.
How to Apply
Community associations interested in participating can apply through Nov. 8, 2024. The program will accept up to eight communities in this round.
To apply, complete our online application. Community associations are encouraged to survey community residents about their interest in EV charging and assess potential charging station costs and locations near power sources.
“Most communities are seeing estimates right around $20,000,” Gurnee notes regarding installation costs. “If you have to go under sidewalks, to run power under sidewalks, under parking lots, things like that, that’s going to increase your price.”
Selection Criteria
The county evaluates applications based on several factors, including:
- Available community funding
- Resident support
- Suitable location with nearby power sources
- Research and preparation
- Community impact, especially for residents without access to private charging
The Charge Up Fairfax program supports Fairfax County’s Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan, which aims to have electric vehicles make up 15% of county vehicle registrations by 2030. Currently, EVs represent about 2% of registered vehicles in the county.
Charge Up Fairfax focuses on Level 2 charging stations, which can typically charge an EV from 0% to 80% in 4-10 hours, though most drivers don’t need a full charge daily. This is faster than Level 1 charging (standard household outlet) but slower than Level 3 (super-fast) charging stations.
For more information about the Charge Up Fairfax program, email OEECElectricVehicles@fairfaxcounty.gov or visit the program webpage.
The County Conversation Podcast
The “County Conversation” is a podcast featuring employees and subject matter experts from the Fairfax County Government discussing programs, services and items of interest to residents of Fairfax County. Listen to past episodes of “County Conversation.” To find other county podcasts, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts.
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