Multifamily Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Program
Bring EV charging to your multifamily housing property with expert help and incentives!
Are you looking to install electric vehicle (EV) chargers at your multifamily property? Seattle City Light is here to help you take the first step. Whether it is an apartment, condominium, affordable or market-rate housing, our team can help you plan EV charging solutions with expert advice from trusted advisors and new rebates to lower your cost of installation. Multifamily properties must have at least five units to participate in the Multifamily EV Charging Program.
Benefits of Program Participation
More and more drivers have, or are considering purchasing, an EV and are looking for convenient charging options. Meet the demand of current, and future, residents and upgrade your multifamily property to make it ready for EV drivers.
- Provide a desirable amenity for environmentally conscious residents.
- Future-proof your building’s charging capabilities and reduce costs later.
- Give residents the convenience to charge at home and save money on vehicle fueling.
- Reduce local gas emissions and improve community health.
- Support clean transportation.
- Increase accessibility of EV charging in the community.
Complimentary EV Charging Assessment
- Contact us to connect with an EV charging expert advisor.
- Review your property with an industry expert.
- Discuss personalized recommendations for EV charging solutions.
- Get help accessing City Light rebates to reduce the costs of installing EV infrastructure.
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Multifamily EV Charging Rebates
Our EV charger rebates offer flexible project caps depending on the property type and parking allocation. Affordable property types are eligible for higher incentives in some rebate categories.
The Multifamily EV Charging Program incentivize two types of charging technologies: outlets and hardwired wall-mounted or pedestal-mounted chargers.
120V Outlet Chargers
120V outlets are standard household electrical outlets. Most EVs come with portable charging cords that can be plugged directly into these outlets.
240V Outlet Chargers
240V outlets are high voltage outlets typically used for large appliances like clothes dryers. Portable Level 2 charging cables can be plugged into these outlets to provide a faster charge. Some EVs also come with portable cables capable of plugging into 240V outlets.
Hardwired Level 2 Chargers
Hardwired Level 2 chargers also use 208V or 240V circuits, but require professional installation and are stationary after installation.
120V Outlet (Level 1)
- Eligible Parking Type: Assigned or Shared Parking
- Market-Rate Property Project Cap: 100% of total project costs, up to $15,000 per site
- Output Power: 120V
- Additional requirements: Shared outlets require “EV Only” signage. New construction projects are not eligible. Portable charging cords are not an eligible expense.
240V Outlet (Level 2)
- Eligible Parking Type: Shared Parking
- Market-Rate Property Project Cap: 100% of total project costs, up to $15,000 per site
- Output Power: 208V or 240V
- Additional requirements: Outlet must be able to track energy usage (either through networked charging or load management software). Shared outlets require “EV Only” signage. New construction projects are not eligible. Portable charging cords are not an eligible expense.
Level 2 Hardwired Charging Equipment
- Eligible Parking Type: Shared Parking
- Market-Rate Property Project Cap: 50% of total project costs, up to $25,000 per site
- Minimum Output Power: 6.6 kW
- Additional requirements: Level 2 charging equipment must be hardwired and must be able to track station-specific energy usage (either through networked charging or load management software). Customer must install a minimum of two ports, and “EV Only” signage is required.
Properties must fulfill the definition of Affordable Multifamily Housing: Rental properties must have at least 40% of the units be restricted to 60% AMI for 40 years, and for owned units, at least 40% must be restricted to 80% AMI for at least 50 years.
120V Outlet (Level 1)
- Eligible Parking Type: Assigned or Shared Parking
- Affordable Property Project Cap: 100% of total project costs, up to $15,000 per site
- Output Power: 120V
- Additional requirements: Shared outlets require “EV Only” signage. New construction projects are not eligible. Portable charging cords are not an eligible expense.
240V Outlet (Level 2)
- Eligible Parking Type: Shared Parking
- Affordable Property Project Cap: 100% of total project costs, up to $15,000 per site
- Output Power: 208V or 240V
- Additional requirements: Outlet must be able to track energy usage (either through networked charging or load management software). Shared outlets require “EV Only” signage. New construction projects are not eligible. Portable charging cords are not an eligible expense.
Level 2 Hardwired Charging Equipment
- Eligible Parking Type: Shared Parking
- Affordable Property Project Cap: 100% of total project costs, up to $50,000 per site
- Minimum Output Power: 6.6 kW
- Additional requirements: Level 2 charging equipment must be hardwired and must be able to track station-specific energy usage (either through networked charging or load management software). Customer must install a minimum of two ports, and “EV Only” signage is required.
For detailed eligibility requirements, please request the full Program Manual from the Seattle City Light Multifamily EV Charging Program team at multifamilyev@seattle.gov. Eligibility requirements are subject to change.
- Be a Seattle City Light account holder or customer.
- Customers must begin the EV Charging Rebate application process before charging projects have been constructed.
- Property must have five or more units on one site to qualify as a multifamily property as defined by King County.
- Condo/individual unit owners must work with their HOA/community board to apply. Applications from individual residents will not be accepted.
- Chargers must be installed on private property.
- Customers must purchase and install charging equipment that meets defined charger requirements, including the ability to track station-specific energy usage (see Program Manual for full list).
- New and substantial retrofit construction projects may only use rebates towards installations that are beyond the minimum required by local/state EV readiness codes (see Program Manual for additional restrictions).
- Only project costs related to the installation of applicable chargers are eligible for coverage. This includes labor, wiring, conduit, circuitry, permits, and materials.
- City Light incentives will not exceed 100% of total project costs and will be based on the remaining amount after considering other funding sources.
- Site caps for charger rebate apply on a calendar year basis and reset every year.
Ready to apply for a rebate?
- Download an application and submit it to MultifamilyEV@seattle.gov or start an application online by using our request form.
- Applicants must begin the application process before construction on the project has been completed (i.e. before the final SDCI inspection has been completed). Retroactive (post-construction) applications for rebates will not be accepted.
- Rebate applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis. All approved applications will receive a rebate reservation letter, which will guarantee funding for the EV charging project for a limited period of time. For more information, please review the information in the Program Manual.
Contact us at (206) 801-2890 (Se habla español) or MultifamilyEV@seattle.gov for details on rebates and a free site assessment.
Resources
Multifamily EV Charging Fact Sheet for Property Managers
Multifamily EV charging advisory services and rebate processing provided by ICF and partners.
ICF Privacy Statement
Get Started Today!
Want to learn more about how you can move your property forward with EV charging? Contact us today for more details on incentives and to start your comprehensive EV Charging Assessment!
A vendor contracted by the City of Seattle processes the information you provide here and may use third party tools to communicate, where our Privacy Policy doesn't apply. We recommend that you check the vendor's privacy policy for details about information collection and use.