Alan Kahn is XLR8 America’s President of Emerging Markets.
This post is part of an ongoing series by XLR8 America President of Emerging Markets Alan Kahn. Access links to Alan’s previous articles at the end of this post.
As someone who has spent my career in the parking industry, I’ve seen firsthand how the business has evolved. Parking has always been about optimizing space, managing access, and creating revenue streams for property owners. Now, with the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), we’re at another turning point. For the parking industry, EV charging isn’t just a new feature—it’s a fundamental shift that real estate investors, property owners, and parking operators need to embrace.
EV charging is a natural extension of parking management. It’s not just about storing cars anymore; it’s about providing a critical service. Property owners are quickly realizing that to stay competitive, they need to offer charging solutions—just as they once adapted to automation, access control, and shared parking models.
From Parking Management to EV Charging: A Seamless Transition
I’ve always believed that parking is an asset class within real estate, and my job has been to make it more valuable. When we manage parking effectively, we add income streams and improve asset performance.
The same applies to EV charging. Initially, many owners installed chargers because a tenant asked for them or because they saw future demand coming. Now, the realization has set in: EV charging is a necessity. The market is shifting, and owners who adapt quickly will gain a competitive edge.
Understanding Demand: The Key to Strategic EV Charging
One of the things I’ve learned in parking is how to assess demand and utilization. When designing garages, we consider shared use—how different users (retail shoppers, office workers, hotel guests, and residents) use the space at different times. This helps us optimize the number of spaces and reduce unnecessary costs.
The same logic applies to EV charging. When I talk to property owners, I walk them through key questions:
How many people park here at peak hours?
What percentage of those cars are electric today—and what will that look like in five years?
How many EV drivers will need to charge while they park?
By answering these questions, we can determine the right number of chargers, the best mix of Level 2 and DC fast chargers, and the ideal placement to maximize usage and revenue.
Why Real Estate Investors Must Act Now
EV charging is quickly moving from a “nice-to-have” to a “must-have.” Tenants now expect charging access in the same way they expect Wi-Fi. I tell property owners to think about it like computers in offices decades ago—at first, an optional perk, but soon an essential part of doing business.
The challenge is that many owners don’t have the capital to install chargers on their own. With office vacancies rising and lease rates under pressure, they’re looking for ways to enhance their properties without taking on major costs. That’s where the Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) model comes in.
Charging-as-a-Service: The No-CAPEX Solution
Under a CaaS model, companies like XLR8 America handle the installation, management, and maintenance of EV chargers without requiring property owners to invest upfront capital. Instead, we set up revenue-sharing agreements that allow owners to generate passive income while ensuring a seamless experience for EV drivers.
This approach offers several benefits:
Zero Upfront Costs: No capital expenditure for installation and infrastructure upgrades.
Revenue Generation: Owners share in the income without operational headaches.
Future-Proofing: The ability to upgrade equipment as technology evolves.
Sustainability & Compliance: Meeting ESG goals and staying ahead of regulatory requirements.
The Road Ahead: How Parking Operators Can Lead the EV Transition
The role of parking operators is evolving. Parking garages are no longer just places to store cars—they’re becoming mobility hubs. As EV adoption grows, our facilities will play a crucial role in ensuring drivers have reliable access to charging.
The adoption of EV charging within parking facilities is seamless because the core principles remain the same: understanding demand, optimizing space, and creating value. Property owners and operators who embrace this shift now will be the ones who thrive in the long run.
Final Thoughts
The question isn’t whether to integrate EV charging—it’s how to do it strategically. By leveraging data-driven demand models, flexible financing options, and smart infrastructure planning, we can turn this challenge into a major opportunity.
The parking industry has always adapted to change. Now, we’re leading the charge into the future.
This post is part of an ongoing series by XLR8 America President of Emerging Markets Alan Kahn. Access links to Alan’s previous articles at the end of this post.
As someone who has spent my career in the parking industry, I’ve seen firsthand how the business has evolved. Parking has always been about optimizing space, managing access, and creating revenue streams for property owners. Now, with the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), we’re at another turning point. For the parking industry, EV charging isn’t just a new feature—it’s a fundamental shift that real estate investors, property owners, and parking operators need to embrace.
EV charging is a natural extension of parking management. It’s not just about storing cars anymore; it’s about providing a critical service. Property owners are quickly realizing that to stay competitive, they need to offer charging solutions—just as they once adapted to automation, access control, and shared parking models.
From Parking Management to EV Charging: A Seamless Transition
I’ve always believed that parking is an asset class within real estate, and my job has been to make it more valuable. When we manage parking effectively, we add income streams and improve asset performance.
The same applies to EV charging. Initially, many owners installed chargers because a tenant asked for them or because they saw future demand coming. Now, the realization has set in: EV charging is a necessity. The market is shifting, and owners who adapt quickly will gain a competitive edge.
Understanding Demand: The Key to Strategic EV Charging
One of the things I’ve learned in parking is how to assess demand and utilization. When designing garages, we consider shared use—how different users (retail shoppers, office workers, hotel guests, and residents) use the space at different times. This helps us optimize the number of spaces and reduce unnecessary costs.
The same logic applies to EV charging. When I talk to property owners, I walk them through key questions:
By answering these questions, we can determine the right number of chargers, the best mix of Level 2 and DC fast chargers, and the ideal placement to maximize usage and revenue.
Why Real Estate Investors Must Act Now
EV charging is quickly moving from a “nice-to-have” to a “must-have.” Tenants now expect charging access in the same way they expect Wi-Fi. I tell property owners to think about it like computers in offices decades ago—at first, an optional perk, but soon an essential part of doing business.
The challenge is that many owners don’t have the capital to install chargers on their own. With office vacancies rising and lease rates under pressure, they’re looking for ways to enhance their properties without taking on major costs. That’s where the Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) model comes in.
Charging-as-a-Service: The No-CAPEX Solution
Under a CaaS model, companies like XLR8 America handle the installation, management, and maintenance of EV chargers without requiring property owners to invest upfront capital. Instead, we set up revenue-sharing agreements that allow owners to generate passive income while ensuring a seamless experience for EV drivers.
This approach offers several benefits:
The Road Ahead: How Parking Operators Can Lead the EV Transition
The role of parking operators is evolving. Parking garages are no longer just places to store cars—they’re becoming mobility hubs. As EV adoption grows, our facilities will play a crucial role in ensuring drivers have reliable access to charging.
The adoption of EV charging within parking facilities is seamless because the core principles remain the same: understanding demand, optimizing space, and creating value. Property owners and operators who embrace this shift now will be the ones who thrive in the long run.
Final Thoughts
The question isn’t whether to integrate EV charging—it’s how to do it strategically. By leveraging data-driven demand models, flexible financing options, and smart infrastructure planning, we can turn this challenge into a major opportunity.
The parking industry has always adapted to change. Now, we’re leading the charge into the future.
Review Alan’s Previous Posts:
View this article on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/parking-industry-ev-charging-natural-evolution-real-estate-zdmbe/
The Future of EV Charging: Trends and Predictions for Commercial Properties
San Diego Padres to Add 20 EV Chargers to Petco Park in Partnership with XLR8 America