The installation is the largest investment. How do you finance it, and who pays what? There are three scenarios - each with different consequences.
Three financing scenarios
Scenario 1: Full outsourcing (e.g. via Vattenfall InCharge or Eneco)
An external party installs and fully manages the charging facility. You pay through a higher kWh price. Advantage: no investment risk for the VvE. Disadvantage: you pay considerably more per kWh in the long run, have no autonomy over the system and switching to a different approach later is difficult.
Scenario 2: Energy loan (e.g. via the Warmtefonds)
The VvE borrows money at favourable interest rates and repays via a surcharge on the kWh price. Advantage: no large one-off investment. Disadvantage: if the kWh price becomes too high, EV drivers will charge elsewhere - then you are repaying the loan without the associated revenue coming in.
Scenario 3: Charged to the members (preferred)
The investment comes from the VvE's own reserves or is contributed by the members. This is in most cases the most beneficial option for all members. Total costs are lowest, autonomy is complete and VAT on the installation is potentially recoverable. Two variants exist:
- Charged to the general reserve - the VvE pays from the communal fund. If the VvE is registered for VAT, all VAT on the investment is potentially recoverable.
- Allocated per member - costs spread across members who want a charging point. VAT is recoverable, but the VvE must also charge VAT on the reallocation.
The hardest part: few EV drivers in the early stages
In the early phase, there are often only a few EV drivers, yet the backbone for the entire garage needs to be installed. Two arguments that help at the AGM:
- The fixed costs of the grid connection are shared with EV drivers - this directly reduces service charges for non-EV residents.
- Everyone will eventually drive electric. A charging option has a positive impact on the value of the parking space, including for current non-EV owners.