Contact: Noah Barnes, Electrification Coalition
noah@electrification.org, (202) 461-2371
RICHMOND—Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger recently signed House Bill 833 into law, marking an important step toward ensuring that Virginians who live in multifamily homes—such as apartments and condominiums—can access affordable, convenient electric vehicle (EV) charging at home.
HB 833 authorizes local governments to adopt requirements for EV-capable, EV-ready, or EV charger-equipped parking spaces in new multifamily residential developments. By allowing communities to plan for EV charging infrastructure during initial construction, the law helps reduce costs, increase consumer choice, and remove a major barrier to EV adoption for renters and condo owners.
Electrification Coalition Executive Director Ben Prochazka released the following statement:
“By signing HB 833, Governor Spanberger is taking an important step to ensure that Virginians who live in multifamily housing have better access to the cost savings and convenience of driving electric.
“Charging at home is the cheapest way to power an electric vehicle, and when residents can charge where they live, EV ownership becomes more affordable and more practical. That’s especially important given that EVs already cost less to own and maintain over time than gas-powered cars, particularly at a time when gas prices are increasing. HB 833 helps make those savings accessible to more families, including renters and condo owners.
“Expanding EV adoption also delivers critical economic and national security benefits. Amid the conflict in Iran, EVs reduce our dependence on volatile global oil markets and keep more energy dollars in local communities. At the same time, EV deployment supports domestic manufacturing and American jobs, ensuring the U.S. auto industry remains globally competitive. Policies like this help the United States increase EV adoption and reduce oil’s monopoly over transportation.
“Importantly, this bill encourages smart, cost-effective planning. Installing the basic electrical infrastructure needed for EV charging during initial construction is significantly cheaper and less disruptive than retrofitting buildings later. Planning ahead saves money for developers, property owners, and ultimately residents.
“Cities and counties are not required to make any changes—but they now have the option to adopt EV-capable or EV-ready standards that make sense for their community’s housing and transportation needs.
“This law gives local governments the flexibility they need to prepare for the future, lower costs, and ensure that the benefits of transportation electrification reach more Virginians.”
Additionally, Josh Cohen, VP for Policy at SWTCH, a national leader in multifamily charging solutions, said:
“When it comes to household budgets, the current oil market volatility underscores how driving electric is both more affordable and offers more price stability than driving on gasoline. But, many households living in apartment or condominium buildings are unable to enjoy those savings because the property lacks chargers.
“This forward-looking law will enable the Commonwealth’s cities and counties to drive down the cost of charging infrastructure at multifamily properties. The bottom line is this law will enable more Virginia households to enjoy a more affordable bottom line when they drive their vehicle.”
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About the Electrification Coalition: The Electrification Coalition is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes policies and actions to facilitate the widespread adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) on a mass scale to overcome the economic, public health and national security challenges that stem from America’s dependence on oil. ElectrificationCoalition.org