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EV Charging Is No Longer Optional in LA Commercial Real Estate
In Los Angeles, the electric vehicle revolution is well underway. With California mandating a phaseout of gas-powered cars and more than 1.5 million EVs expected on the road by 2025, commercial property owners are facing a new kind of tenant demand: on-site charging.
From multi-unit apartment buildings and office complexes to retail centers and hotels, EV charger installations are no longer just a “nice-to-have” amenity, they’re a competitive advantage. They can increase tenant retention, enhance property value, and satisfy sustainability requirements tied to green building certifications and government incentives.
But installing commercial-grade EV charging infrastructure is more complex than many property owners expect. It requires careful planning, panel capacity analysis, ADA-compliant site design, and coordination with LADBS, LADWP, and possibly local fire authorities. Add in evolving code requirements and utility rebate programs, and the process can become overwhelming.
At RG Electric, we guide LA property owners through the entire journey, from load calculations and permitting to installation and long-term maintenance. In this guide, we’ll break down what you need to know before investing in EV charging for your building, so you can move forward with confidence and avoid costly missteps.
Why LA Commercial Properties Need EV Charging Infrastructure
As electric vehicles become the norm rather than the exception in Los Angeles, commercial property owners are seeing the demand for EV charging shift from rare request to standard expectation. And with California’s ambitious climate goals, it’s not just consumer-driven, it’s regulatory.
EV Demand Is Changing Tenant Expectations
In multi-unit residential buildings, tenants increasingly expect at least one or two shared charging stations, and in high-end or newly built properties, dedicated charging for each unit is becoming the norm. Office buildings and mixed-use developments are also under pressure, with commercial tenants seeking green infrastructure to support their workforce.
For retail and hospitality properties, offering EV charging encourages longer visits, increases customer satisfaction, and positions your business as environmentally forward-thinking. In short, buildings without EV infrastructure are beginning to feel outdated, especially in a market as progressive and competitive as Los Angeles.
California’s Clean Energy Mandates Are Driving Policy
The state’s Advanced Clean Cars Program, CALGreen Building Standards, and Los Angeles’ own Green New Deal all aim to reduce transportation emissions by promoting widespread EV adoption. Many new construction and major remodel permits now require EV charger infrastructure, and those requirements are expanding.
Even if your property isn’t currently affected by mandates, that’s changing quickly. By acting early, you can install charging stations on your own terms, rather than under deadline pressure when a code change or tenant improvement forces your hand.
EV Charging Adds Value and Reduces Vacancy
According to a report by the U.S. Department of Energy, buildings with EV infrastructure tend to command higher rents and lower vacancy rates. For commercial real estate investors, that means real ROI. Charging stations may also contribute points toward LEED certification or satisfy corporate ESG reporting requirements, both of which attract institutional tenants.
Most importantly, installing EV chargers now helps future-proof your property, avoiding more expensive electrical upgrades down the road when tenant demand spikes or new code provisions take effect.
Key Technical Considerations Before Installing EV Chargers
EV charger installation isn’t as simple as bolting a unit to a wall and plugging it in. For commercial properties in Los Angeles, it’s a multi-layered project that requires careful engineering, code compliance, and a forward-thinking strategy. Understanding these technical considerations early can save you time, money, and future headaches.
Your Electrical Capacity May Not Be Enough
One of the first things we check at RG Electric is your panel’s existing load. Many commercial panels — especially in older buildings, were never designed to handle the added demand of multiple EV chargers.
Each Level 2 charger can draw up to 40 amps per unit. Install a few of these in a multi-unit building or parking garage, and your panel may be operating dangerously close to its limit. In many cases, an electrical panel upgrade or dedicated sub-panel installation is necessary to support the load safely and meet code.
Failing to address this upfront can result in service interruptions, breaker tripping, or even LADBS permit rejections.
Level 2 vs. Level 3 (DC Fast Charging)
Level 2 chargers are ideal for most commercial applications, offering full charges in 4 to 10 hours, suitable for workplaces, residential garages, and hotels. They’re affordable, code-friendly, and don’t require high-voltage utility coordination.
Level 3 chargers, or DC fast chargers, provide rapid charging in under an hour but require major electrical infrastructure. They pull 400+ volts and often necessitate utility-side upgrades and transformer changes. Unless you’re operating a fueling-style charging plaza or large fleet hub, Level 2 is typically the smarter, scalable choice for most LA buildings.
Site Layout, Conduit Routing, and ADA Compliance
Installing EV chargers means more than just picking parking spots. You’ll need to think through:
- Conduit routing: how to run power from your panel to each charger, often through concrete or underground
- Parking lot layout: ensuring chargers don’t block access or fire lanes
- ADA compliance: meeting California accessibility laws for EV spaces, which require a specific number of chargers to be wheelchair-accessible and properly marked
These physical requirements can significantly influence where and how many chargers you can install, especially in dense or older properties with limited flexibility.
Load Management and Smart Charging Capabilities
Newer EV charging systems come with load management features that allow multiple chargers to share power dynamically, helping you stay under your building’s maximum load. This can reduce or eliminate the need for expensive electrical service upgrades.
Some chargers also offer networked access, letting you control usage, apply fees, monitor energy consumption, or restrict charging to tenants or staff.
RG Electric helps you choose the right technology based on your budget, tenant profile, and long-term property goals.
Utility Coordination
In Los Angeles, large EV projects often require coordination with LADWP, especially if your electrical service needs to be upgraded or if transformer capacity is limited in your area. These steps can introduce delays if not handled early, which is why RG Electric handles utility communication and scheduling on your behalf.
Permitting, Incentives, and Rebates in Los Angeles
Installing EV chargers at a commercial property in Los Angeles isn’t just a technical upgrade, it’s a regulatory and financial opportunity. With the right planning, you can tap into substantial utility rebates, state incentives, and even tax credits. But timing matters, and so does working with an experienced contractor who knows how to navigate LA’s permitting system.
LADBS Permitting Requirements
In Los Angeles, all EV charger installations — even single units — require electrical permits from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). For commercial properties, permits typically require:
- A detailed site plan showing charger locations and ADA access
- Electrical load calculations that include your existing panel and proposed charger draw
- Manufacturer specifications for the charging equipment
- Evidence of compliance with Title 24, California’s energy efficiency building code
If you’re adding new conduit, cutting into pavement, or making changes to the electrical service, additional plan checks or inspections may be triggered. RG Electric handles all of this for you, from drafting the permit package to coordinating with LADBS inspectors at every stage.
Local Utility Rebates
Depending on your location and service provider, you may qualify for generous EV infrastructure rebates. For Los Angeles properties, the most relevant programs include:
- LADWP’s Commercial EV Charging Station Rebate Program, which provides rebates of up to $125,000 for multi-port charger installations, depending on charger type and installation costs
- Southern California Edison’s Charge Ready Program, which offers infrastructure support for businesses, multi-unit housing, and public facilities
- Additional rebates for make-ready infrastructure, including trenching, conduit, and panel upgrades
These programs often require pre-approval, documentation, and proof of installation by a licensed electrical contractor. Applying early is key, since funding is limited and awarded on a rolling basis.
California and Federal Incentives
In addition to local utility support, you may be eligible for:
- California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP) funds, which are periodically open for LA County projects
- Federal tax credits, such as the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit, which can cover up to 30 percent of the cost of hardware and installation
- Title 24 compliance credits, which may reduce energy reporting burdens on new construction or major renovations
RG Electric stays up to date on available programs and helps our clients gather the documentation needed to secure funding. These incentives can dramatically reduce upfront costs, sometimes covering more than half of your installation expense.
RG Electric’s EV Installation Process for Commercial Properties
At RG Electric, we make EV charger installation simple, even for complex commercial and multi-unit properties. We understand that property owners and managers in Los Angeles need more than just hardware — they need guidance, code compliance, and results without delays or tenant disruption.
We’ve built a streamlined process that delivers all of the above.
Site Survey and Power Evaluation
Our process begins with a detailed walk-through of your property. We evaluate your existing electrical panel, service capacity, and parking layout to determine how many chargers you can support — and where they should go for optimal access and ADA compliance.
We also assess any potential trenching, concrete cutting, or meter relocation needs early, so nothing catches you off guard later.
If your panel is outdated or near its capacity, we’ll present clear upgrade options and help determine whether load sharing or a sub-panel is the right path forward.
System Design and Equipment Selection
Based on the site survey, we design a custom EV charging plan tailored to your property’s goals, whether you want to install a few shared stations or future-proof for dozens of chargers. We help you:
- Choose between Level 2 or Level 3 charging, based on usage needs
- Select networked chargers if you want to monitor usage, bill tenants, or manage access
- Integrate load balancing features to prevent costly demand spikes
We also provide detailed, code-compliant design documents for LADBS and any incentive programs you’re applying for.
Permitting, Inspection, and Installation
Our permitting team handles all LADBS approvals, coordinates with LADWP or Southern California Edison when needed, and schedules final inspections. On installation day, we work efficiently to minimize parking disruption and provide temporary signage to keep tenants and visitors informed.
After installation, we conduct full testing of each charger, verify connectivity and safety features, and ensure all labeling and ADA requirements are met. Once LADBS signs off, the system is ready for use — and fully covered by our workmanship warranty.
Planning for Growth and Maintenance
We don’t just install and walk away. RG Electric offers ongoing support and expansion planning. If you expect to add more chargers in the future, we design your system with scalability in mind, leaving space in your panel, conduit paths, and load management tools.
We’re also available for ongoing maintenance, troubleshooting, or upgrading your charging system as EV demand continues to grow.
Visit our EV Charger Installation Services in Los Angeles page to learn more about our commercial solutions.
Real Estate ROI: A Case Study from a West LA Mixed-Use Property
Recently, a property owner in West Los Angeles contacted RG Electric about installing EV chargers at a three-story mixed-use building with ground-floor retail and 18 residential units above. Tenants were already asking about charging access, and a new retail lease required at least two on-site charging stations.
After evaluating the existing infrastructure, we discovered the building’s electrical panel was nearing capacity, and the parking lot was partially paved over older conduit paths.
Our Solution
We installed a new 200-amp sub-panel dedicated to EV infrastructure, allowing for future charger expansion. We used load-sharing Level 2 chargers, which dynamically allocate power based on simultaneous usage, helping the property avoid costly transformer upgrades.
We also rerouted conduit through a landscaped section of the lot, minimizing concrete cuts, and added one ADA-compliant charger with appropriate signage and spacing.
The Result
- The property passed LADBS inspection on the first attempt
- Tenants began using the chargers within 24 hours
- The landlord qualified for $18,000 in LADWP rebates
- A second commercial tenant renewed their lease, citing the new EV infrastructure as a key factor
This case shows how a strategic installation can meet regulatory requirements, improve tenant satisfaction, and add real value to a building, without breaking the budget.
Get Ahead of the Curve — Future-Proof Your Property With EV Charging
EV charging is no longer just for luxury buildings or green tech campuses. In Los Angeles, it’s quickly becoming a standard expectation, and a requirement for long-term property value. Whether you manage a retail plaza, a multi-unit apartment building, or a mixed-use commercial space, installing EV chargers today positions your property for tomorrow’s tenants, codes, and technologies.
But doing it right matters. From panel capacity to permitting, from ADA compliance to incentive deadlines, the process can get complex. That’s where RG Electric comes in.
We help you make smart, code-compliant decisions. We guide you through incentives and avoid unnecessary delays. And we install systems that are safe, scalable, and ready for the future.
Don’t wait until your next tenant demands EV charging, let us help you lead the market, not follow it.
📞 Call RG Electric at (323) 521‑5131
