%20copy.png)
2026 Is the Year EV Charging Becomes Non-Negotiable for Multifamily Properties
- REVS
- Mar 23
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 25
300,000 electric vehicles are about to come off lease and flood the used car market. Your tenants are going to buy them. The only question is whether they’ll be able to charge at your property.
For years, property owners could treat EV charging as a forward-thinking amenity. Something for the early adopters. Something to consider down the road. That road just ended.
2026 is being called the "Year of the Used EV," and the data backs it up. A wave of off-lease electric vehicles is hitting the market right now, and it's about to change the calculus for every multifamily and commercial property owner in the country.
The Used EV Flood Is Here
Over 300,000 electric vehicles are returning from lease in 2026, a spike of more than 200% compared to the roughly 123,000 that came back in 2025. Some estimates from Edmunds put the number closer to 400,000. These are two- to three-year-old models from 2022 and 2023, most with around 25,000 miles on the odometer and many still covered by factory warranties, including the federally mandated eight-year battery coverage.
The result is a used EV market that's suddenly very affordable. Prices have dropped roughly 40% over the past year, with 56% of used EV inventory now listed below $30,000. The average price gap between a used EV and a used gas car has narrowed to just $897, the smallest on record. Used EV sales jumped 21.2% in January 2026 compared to the year before.
What does this mean for property owners? It means EVs are no longer just for high-income professionals buying six-figure Teslas. They're for everyday renters, commuters, and families looking for a reliable car under $25,000. And those buyers are going to need somewhere to plug in.
Your Renters Are Already Shopping
The demand signal from tenants has been building for a while, but the used EV wave is about to accelerate it dramatically. Surveys show that 15% of renters plan to buy an EV within the next five years. Among those, 58% say they'd pay more in rent for access to on-site charging. And 31% of renters who don't yet own an EV point to the lack of home charging as the number one reason they haven't made the switch.
Now combine that demand with a market that's about to put hundreds of thousands of affordable EVs within reach of budget-conscious renters. More affordable EVs means more EV drivers in your buildings, and those drivers need to charge at home.
Today, only about 5% of U.S. rental properties offer on-site EV charging. That gap between what tenants want and what properties provide isn't going to stay open much longer. The properties that close it first win the tenants, the rent premiums, and the retention.
EV-Ready Building Codes Are Spreading Fast
Across the country, states and municipalities are adopting EV-ready building codes that require new multifamily construction to include charging infrastructure from day one. These mandates typically require a minimum 240V/20A outlet or a J1772/NACS charger at each assigned parking spot, and charging receptacles at every shared or unassigned space. What started in a handful of states is quickly becoming the national standard.
For existing properties, this regulatory momentum creates a clear signal: EV charging is moving from optional amenity to baseline expectation. Property owners who retrofit now do it on their own timeline, at their own pace, and with access to incentive dollars that won't last forever. Those who wait risk scrambling to comply with future mandates under tighter deadlines and higher costs. Getting ahead of the curve is almost always cheaper and less disruptive than playing catch-up.
The Incentive Window Is Closing
Right now, federal tax credits, state rebates, and utility incentive programs can offset a significant portion of EV charging installation costs. In many cases, the combination of available incentives can reduce the upfront cost to near zero for qualifying properties.
But these programs have fixed funding pools, and as more properties compete for the same dollars, the window is narrowing. Property owners who move now capture value that late movers will miss entirely. Every quarter you wait is a quarter where someone else is claiming the incentives that could have been yours.
REVS identifies and applies for all applicable incentives on the property owner's behalf, making sure no money is left on the table.
What This Means for Your Bottom Line
Installing EV charging isn't spending money. It's unlocking revenue you're currently leaving on the table.
A single tenant who chooses your property because it offers charging generates an entire year of lease payments. That lease alone can cover the cost of a charger many times over. On top of that, EV charging reduces turnover by giving tenants a reason to stay, increases property valuations by boosting NOI, and captures incentive dollars that are available right now but won't be forever.
For qualifying multifamily properties, REVS offers a no capital cost installation model. We install, own, and operate the charging infrastructure. The property owner gets the amenity, the tenant value, and the competitive positioning without any capital outlay or ongoing maintenance responsibility. For commercial property owners who want to capture direct revenue, our 100% financing program covers all costs with 5-to-10-year terms, and the owner keeps 100% of revenue after expenses.
The Window Is Open. It Won't Stay Open Forever.
2026 is the year that affordable EVs go mainstream. The used market is flooded with quality vehicles under $30,000. EV-ready building codes are spreading nationwide. Tenant demand is outpacing supply by an enormous margin. And the incentive dollars available today are finite.
Property owners who install EV charging now position themselves on the right side of every one of these trends. Those who wait will be playing catch-up in a market that's already moved on.
Want to see the numbers for your property? Contact REVS at (833) 738-7382 or visit refuelevs.com for a free assessment and revenue projection.
New to EV charging? Start with our guide to understanding EV charging in multi-family properties.
Explore More from REVS:
