Charging an electric vehicle

The demand for electric cars is increasing for varied reasons: environmental, economic and even tax. One of the factors for consideration is how to recharge the vehicle at home. Of course when you buy an electric vehicle you'll be given all the information and advice on how to install a charging point at home, but what if you live in a condominium with shared garage facilities? We have looked into how to proceed if your building does not have a charging point or electrical outlet in the common garage of the building.

With regard to existing buildings, owners, renters or legal occupants can install charging points or electrical outlets in common areas whether they are exclusively for the owner's use or not. However, they have to comply with all technical requirements stipulated by the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (Direção-Geral de Energia e Geologia).

If parking spaces have sockets attached exclusively to the individual dwelling (fraction), they can in principle be adapted so that they can be used to recharge the batteries of electric cars. (For more information on the EDP Wall Box go to www.edp.pt). If you wish to install a point in a common part of the building, you must first communicate this intention in writing to the condominium administration, at least 30 days before the date intended of your installation.

The administration may oppose the installation if there is already a shared charging point for all owners with the same technology and services; or if there is an effective risk to the safety of people or property or damage to the building; or also if, after communicating the intention to carry out the installation, the condominium itself intends to do so in order to guarantee the recharge of batteries from all potential users within 90 days.

New or rebuilt buildings since 2011 must include a pre-installation point in each garage.