I’ve spent decades in the parking industry, watching trends come and go. The EV revolution? It’s not a passing fad. Electrification of mobility is catalyzing a seismic shift like the PC or the Internet did thirty years ago – It’s transforming commercial real estate, and property owners who embrace it now will be the ones leading the market tomorrow. The latest sales analyses from Cox Automotive and Reuters show that the EV growth of 2024 will continue into 2025:
Digging into the January 2025 EV Sales Results
Despite a global dip in sales compared to December (Reuters), the US EV market continued its upward trajectory in January 2025. Sales reached 102,243 electric vehicles, a 29.9% increase from January 2024, marking the tenth consecutive month with over 100,000 EVs sold (Cox Automotive). This sustained growth, even after a record-breaking December, underscores the continued rise of EV adoption in the US.
Even if markets cool a bit, anytime you see sustained 10-20% monthly growth in a market this size, you are in a longer term trend. New EVs could be 25-50% of new car sales by 2030 at this rate and even if growth slows, you must prepare your parking facility for the eventuality of servicing EV drivers and tenants.
Amidst this growth, I’ve had countless conversations with owners and operators who want to future-proof their properties but don’t know where to start. So let’s talk about where we’re headed and how you can turn EV charging from a question mark into a profit center.
1. The EV Surge: What It Means for Parking Operators
Years ago, I managed a portfolio of parking facilities, and every decision had to balance cost, customer experience, and operational efficiency. Today, that equation includes EV charging, and the numbers don’t lie: by 2030, up to 50% of new car sales will be electric. That means tenants, customers, and employees are going to expect charging stations at commercial properties—whether owners are ready or not.
Recently, one parking operator told me, “Alan, I don’t have EV drivers asking for chargers.” My response? “They will.” The demand is already there, and smart property owners are getting ahead of the curve. In some cities, properties without EV charging are already losing lease renewals to those with it.
2. Fast Charging is the Future
The industry is moving toward ultra-fast charging, and property owners should be thinking about how to integrate it into their long-term plans. It is not for every application.
Ten years ago, Level 2 chargers were considered cutting-edge. Now, fast chargers that can power an EV up to 80% in 20-30 minutes are becoming the standard. Today, an office building where people park for hours may still only need Level 2 chargers, while a retail complex or downtown municipal lot may have the traffic and turnover to support the faster chargers.
In the past, a mixed-use retail and office building project may have installed a couple Level 2 chargers and called it a day. Within two years, they were scrambling to upgrade because retail tenants wanted faster charging and the commercial tenants wanted more Level 2 chargers. They hadn’t considered demand or planned ahead, and it cost them. The lesson? Future-proof your assets. You might consider upgrading your infrastructure but hold off on installing all your chargers.
Make sure whatever you install today can scale up as technology advances and demand grows.
3. Smart Charging and Energy Management: The Silent Profit Center
One of the biggest mistakes I see is property owners treating EV charging as just another utility. It is much more than that—it’s a dynamic revenue stream. Smart charging technology allows owners to manage energy consumption, optimize pricing based on demand, and even tap into grid incentives.
One property I’m familiar with started using demand-based pricing, charging a premium during peak hours. Within months, they were generating thousands in additional revenue—not just covering costs, but profiting from their chargers. That’s the kind of forward-thinking approach that is going to win in this space.
4. Charging as a Service (CaaS) Changes the Game
Upfront costs are a major concern for property owners. I get it. I’ve had to justify CAPEX decisions to ownership groups more times than I can count. But the good news? You don’t have to foot the bill anymore.
The Charging as a Service (CaaS) model removes financial barriers. Companies like XLR8 America cover the installation and ongoing maintenance, and property owners simply share in the revenue. It’s an off-balance-sheet solution that provides immediate benefits with zero risk. A client of mine recently told me, “This is the easiest infrastructure upgrade we’ve ever made.” That’s the power of having the right financial model.
5. EV Charging is the New Amenity That Adds Property Value
Once upon a time, adding valet service or a well-lit garage was enough to increase a property’s value. Today, it’s all about income enhancement, and EV charging augments that effort. Buildings with EV infrastructure can command higher lease rates and attract premium tenants. It’s not just a “nice to have” anymore—it’s a competitive differentiator.
One real estate developer I know has started marketing their properties as “EV-ready.” It’s a small shift in branding, but it’s working. Tenants see it as forward-thinking, and investors see it as a hedge against future regulations. If you’re looking for a way to stand out, EV charging is a smart bet.
6. Navigating Regulations and Incentives
One thing I’ve learned in business: never leave money on the table. While the federal government is curtailing new grants for chargers, many state governments are offering tax credits, rebates, and incentives to encourage EV infrastructure development. But too many property owners aren’t taking advantage of them because they don’t know where to start.
The right partner will help you navigate the process, ensuring you maximize available funding. I’ve seen properties cut their EV charging installation costs by over 50% just by stacking the right incentives. That’s money in the bank. When combined with the CaaS model, that can translate to a higher risk-free monthly income.
7. Safety, Security, and Reliability Matter
I was recently talking to a facility manager who said, “I don’t want to deal with another piece of equipment that’s going to break down.” He’s not wrong—downtime is the enemy. But the latest chargers are built with solid-state technology that drastically reduces maintenance issues. Reliability is better than ever, and uptime guarantees are becoming the norm. Furthermore, if you opt to work with a CaaS provider like XLR8, we have every incentive to keep the chargers up and running.
Beyond that, security is an emerging concern. Theft and vandalism have led some manufacturers to develop cut-resistant cables and enhanced monitoring systems. If you’re installing EV chargers, make sure security is part of your plan.
Final Thoughts: The Time to Act is Now
Don’t wait too long to adapt, you will often get left behind. The commercial properties that embrace EV charging today will be the leaders of tomorrow. It’s not just about sustainability—it’s about staying competitive, attracting tenants, and driving new revenue streams.
If you’re thinking about EV charging for your property, don’t wait until your tenants start asking for it. Be proactive, plan strategically, gain the knowledge and expertise to manage EV charging facilities, and partner with experts who can help you execute the optimal solution.
Alan Kahn is a senior leader in the parking and EV charging industry, helping commercial property owners navigate the evolving landscape of mobility and electrification. To discuss how EV charging fits into your portfolio, connect on LinkedIn or contact XLR8 America. linkedin.com/in/alanjaykahn; [email protected]
By Alan Kahn, President of Emerging Markets
I’ve spent decades in the parking industry, watching trends come and go. The EV revolution? It’s not a passing fad. Electrification of mobility is catalyzing a seismic shift like the PC or the Internet did thirty years ago – It’s transforming commercial real estate, and property owners who embrace it now will be the ones leading the market tomorrow. The latest sales analyses from Cox Automotive and Reuters show that the EV growth of 2024 will continue into 2025:
Digging into the January 2025 EV Sales Results
Despite a global dip in sales compared to December (Reuters), the US EV market continued its upward trajectory in January 2025. Sales reached 102,243 electric vehicles, a 29.9% increase from January 2024, marking the tenth consecutive month with over 100,000 EVs sold (Cox Automotive). This sustained growth, even after a record-breaking December, underscores the continued rise of EV adoption in the US.
Even if markets cool a bit, anytime you see sustained 10-20% monthly growth in a market this size, you are in a longer term trend. New EVs could be 25-50% of new car sales by 2030 at this rate and even if growth slows, you must prepare your parking facility for the eventuality of servicing EV drivers and tenants.
Amidst this growth, I’ve had countless conversations with owners and operators who want to future-proof their properties but don’t know where to start. So let’s talk about where we’re headed and how you can turn EV charging from a question mark into a profit center.
1. The EV Surge: What It Means for Parking Operators
Years ago, I managed a portfolio of parking facilities, and every decision had to balance cost, customer experience, and operational efficiency. Today, that equation includes EV charging, and the numbers don’t lie: by 2030, up to 50% of new car sales will be electric. That means tenants, customers, and employees are going to expect charging stations at commercial properties—whether owners are ready or not.
Recently, one parking operator told me, “Alan, I don’t have EV drivers asking for chargers.” My response? “They will.” The demand is already there, and smart property owners are getting ahead of the curve. In some cities, properties without EV charging are already losing lease renewals to those with it.
2. Fast Charging is the Future
The industry is moving toward ultra-fast charging, and property owners should be thinking about how to integrate it into their long-term plans. It is not for every application.
Ten years ago, Level 2 chargers were considered cutting-edge. Now, fast chargers that can power an EV up to 80% in 20-30 minutes are becoming the standard. Today, an office building where people park for hours may still only need Level 2 chargers, while a retail complex or downtown municipal lot may have the traffic and turnover to support the faster chargers.
In the past, a mixed-use retail and office building project may have installed a couple Level 2 chargers and called it a day. Within two years, they were scrambling to upgrade because retail tenants wanted faster charging and the commercial tenants wanted more Level 2 chargers. They hadn’t considered demand or planned ahead, and it cost them. The lesson? Future-proof your assets. You might consider upgrading your infrastructure but hold off on installing all your chargers.
Make sure whatever you install today can scale up as technology advances and demand grows.
3. Smart Charging and Energy Management: The Silent Profit Center
One of the biggest mistakes I see is property owners treating EV charging as just another utility. It is much more than that—it’s a dynamic revenue stream. Smart charging technology allows owners to manage energy consumption, optimize pricing based on demand, and even tap into grid incentives.
One property I’m familiar with started using demand-based pricing, charging a premium during peak hours. Within months, they were generating thousands in additional revenue—not just covering costs, but profiting from their chargers. That’s the kind of forward-thinking approach that is going to win in this space.
4. Charging as a Service (CaaS) Changes the Game
Upfront costs are a major concern for property owners. I get it. I’ve had to justify CAPEX decisions to ownership groups more times than I can count. But the good news? You don’t have to foot the bill anymore.
The Charging as a Service (CaaS) model removes financial barriers. Companies like XLR8 America cover the installation and ongoing maintenance, and property owners simply share in the revenue. It’s an off-balance-sheet solution that provides immediate benefits with zero risk. A client of mine recently told me, “This is the easiest infrastructure upgrade we’ve ever made.” That’s the power of having the right financial model.
5. EV Charging is the New Amenity That Adds Property Value
Once upon a time, adding valet service or a well-lit garage was enough to increase a property’s value. Today, it’s all about income enhancement, and EV charging augments that effort. Buildings with EV infrastructure can command higher lease rates and attract premium tenants. It’s not just a “nice to have” anymore—it’s a competitive differentiator.
One real estate developer I know has started marketing their properties as “EV-ready.” It’s a small shift in branding, but it’s working. Tenants see it as forward-thinking, and investors see it as a hedge against future regulations. If you’re looking for a way to stand out, EV charging is a smart bet.
6. Navigating Regulations and Incentives
One thing I’ve learned in business: never leave money on the table. While the federal government is curtailing new grants for chargers, many state governments are offering tax credits, rebates, and incentives to encourage EV infrastructure development. But too many property owners aren’t taking advantage of them because they don’t know where to start.
The right partner will help you navigate the process, ensuring you maximize available funding. I’ve seen properties cut their EV charging installation costs by over 50% just by stacking the right incentives. That’s money in the bank. When combined with the CaaS model, that can translate to a higher risk-free monthly income.
7. Safety, Security, and Reliability Matter
I was recently talking to a facility manager who said, “I don’t want to deal with another piece of equipment that’s going to break down.” He’s not wrong—downtime is the enemy. But the latest chargers are built with solid-state technology that drastically reduces maintenance issues. Reliability is better than ever, and uptime guarantees are becoming the norm. Furthermore, if you opt to work with a CaaS provider like XLR8, we have every incentive to keep the chargers up and running.
Beyond that, security is an emerging concern. Theft and vandalism have led some manufacturers to develop cut-resistant cables and enhanced monitoring systems. If you’re installing EV chargers, make sure security is part of your plan.
Final Thoughts: The Time to Act is Now
Don’t wait too long to adapt, you will often get left behind. The commercial properties that embrace EV charging today will be the leaders of tomorrow. It’s not just about sustainability—it’s about staying competitive, attracting tenants, and driving new revenue streams.
If you’re thinking about EV charging for your property, don’t wait until your tenants start asking for it. Be proactive, plan strategically, gain the knowledge and expertise to manage EV charging facilities, and partner with experts who can help you execute the optimal solution.
Alan Kahn is a senior leader in the parking and EV charging industry, helping commercial property owners navigate the evolving landscape of mobility and electrification. To discuss how EV charging fits into your portfolio, connect on LinkedIn or contact XLR8 America. linkedin.com/in/alanjaykahn; [email protected]
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