Commercial EV charging ROI snapshot
Your property
Multifamily property · Prepared 2026-06-19
Preliminary · Self-prepared · Not a guarantee
A note on this snapshot
This is a decision tool, not a justification exercise. The numbers below are computed from the assumptions you entered. Every formula is visible. Build the case conservatively, then share it with the people who need to see it: your CFO, your board, your asset manager.
For the editorial frameworks behind this snapshot, see Building a Realistic ROI Model.
Direct payback
Stretched
12.5yrs
Indirect value
Not included in this scenario. Toggle the indirect value section in the inputs to model retention or fleet savings.
10-year NPV at 7.0% (stabilized mature year)
-$5,201
Assumes constant annual contribution
Site profile
| Property type | Multifamily |
| Charging configuration | 4 L2 ports at $0/kWh |
| Annual energy delivered | 17,532 kWh |
| Electricity cost | $0.130/kWh (commercial rate). Find your state rate. |
ROI opportunity overview
Stabilized view: assumes mature utilization every year. The 10-year pro forma below ramps the slower early years.
| Gross install cost | $35,000 |
| Less utility make-ready offset | ($18,000) |
| Less Section 30C tax credit (30%) | ($5,100) |
| Net capital investment | $11,900 |
| Annual gross revenue | $4,383 |
| Less electricity cost | ($2,279) |
| Less platform / network fees | ($800) |
| Less maintenance reserve | ($350) |
| Annual net direct contribution | $954 |
Cumulative cash flow
Year 0 shows your net capital outflow. Each subsequent year adds your annual contribution. This is the stabilized view: it assumes mature utilization every year. Show the 10-year pro forma below for a year-by-year utilization ramp and price and cost escalation.
Revenue and cost structure
Where each dollar of gross revenue lands. For DCFC sites, demand charges are usually the largest single line; for L2 sites, electricity and platform fees lead.
- Electricity (52%, $2,279)
- Platform fees (18%, $800)
- Maintenance (8%, $350)
- Net direct contribution (22%, $954)
Utilization sensitivity
The investment should pay back on the moderate case, not just the optimistic one. The curve below shows where this site lands at three industry-benchmark utilization levels.
| Utilization | Annual gross revenue | Net direct contribution | Direct payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20% (conservative) | $15,978 | $6,520 | 1.8 years |
| 40% (moderate) | $31,956 | $14,189 | 0.8 years |
| 65% (mature) | $51,929 | $23,776 | 0.5 years |
Site suitability self-assessment
Rate each dimension based on your knowledge of the site. The rating is for your snapshot only; it does not change the math.
1. Traffic and visibility
Does the site sit on a route EV drivers already pass, or does it require a detour? High visibility from the street and proximity to retail or workplace anchors raise utilization. DCFC sites in particular need a traffic study to back utilization assumptions above 20 percent.
2. Electrical readiness
Existing service capacity, panel headroom, and conduit pathways determine make-ready cost. Sites with a known 480V three-phase service near the proposed location are strong. DCFC almost always requires a utility transformer upgrade unless an industrial service is already in place.
3. Parking capacity and availability
Are there spaces you can dedicate to charging without creating tenant or guest friction? ADA compliance, striping, and signage all factor in. DCFC bays must be drive-through accessible and ideally near amenities so drivers can shop or eat during a 20-40 minute session.
4. Governance readiness
Who decides, on what timeline, with what level of consensus? HOA boards, tenant councils, school boards, and corporate facilities committees all have different cadences. NEVI-funded sites in particular need governance ready to move fast given grant timelines.
Key considerations and common errors
- Year 1 utilization is usually lower than mature utilization. New installations sit at 10 to 25 percent for the first 6 to 18 months while local EV ownership builds. Model Year 1 conservatively.
- Platform fees are real and show up in Year 2. Network platform fees do not appear in equipment quotes but are real operating costs. L2: $150-$300 per port per year. DCFC: $1,000-$1,500 per port per year.
- Section 30C expires June 30, 2026. Equipment must be physically placed in service by that date. No extension legislation has been introduced. Model the no-incentives case as your worst-case payback.
- Not crediting indirect value. For multifamily, workplace, and fleet, direct revenue alone understates the case. If your direct payback is too long, toggle the indirect value section above.
Next steps
- Read Building a Realistic ROI Model for the L2 framework these numbers are built on.
- Look up commercial incentives for your state at /states. Replace the default electricity rate with your actual utility rate.
- Run the public charger density check at /tools/charger-locator to confirm your site has the surrounding density to justify installing your own chargers.
- Bring this snapshot to your CFO, board, or asset manager. Use the sensitivity table to discuss the conservative case, not just the target case.
This snapshot is a decision aid, not a guarantee. Estimates use conservative national assumptions and the editorial frameworks from evcharginghelp.com. Actual returns vary by utility, market, and site. Independent legal, financial, and engineering review is recommended before committing capital. The Section 30C federal tax credit expires June 30, 2026 under current law.
evcharginghelp.com · Independent commercial EV charging guidance