15 States Now Guarantee EV Charging Rights at Home

Installing an electric vehicle charger at home just got easier for millions of Americans living under homeowners associations.

Fifteen states and Washington D.C. have passed "right to charge" laws that prevent HOAs and condo boards from blocking residents who want to install EV chargers in their own parking spaces. For the tens of millions of Americans who live in condos, townhomes, and HOA-governed properties, this removes a major barrier to going electric.

"It basically prevents any homeowner's association or condo board that may have some control over the resident's parking area from preventing them from installing an EV charger in their own parking space, on their own property," explains Jess Senger from Plug In America, a nonprofit working to expand EV access.

The laws go even further in several states by protecting renters too. As long as renters have their own designated parking space, they can install a reasonable charger without being blocked by landlords or property managers.

The Ripple Effect

These protections are creating a domino effect across the country. When charging at home becomes accessible, more people can realistically consider switching to electric vehicles, which helps reduce emissions and improve air quality in communities nationwide.

The movement is gaining momentum. Plug In America maintains a detailed list of all states with right to charge laws on their website, including specific protections in each state. For residents in states without these protections yet, Senger encourages people to contact their representatives and ask them to sponsor similar legislation.

The laws represent a simple but powerful solution to a common roadblock. Many people want to make the switch to electric vehicles but worry about charging access at home, especially those who don't own single-family houses with garages.

More states are expected to follow as electric vehicles become increasingly popular and affordable across America.