Ask Afpop
In this new monthly column, afpop, Portugal’s largest foreign residents’ association, aims to answer some of the most frequently-asked questions by members.
Question: I am thinking about purchasing an electric or hybrid vehicle when I change my car, however I live in a condominium. Can I have a charge point installed?
afpop answers: 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 if you live in a condominium with shared garage facilities which does not already have a charging point or electrical outlet in the common garage of the building, what should you do?
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 for 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 and select ‘Veículos Elétricos’). 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.
For more information about the benefits of membership of afpop, the largest association for foreign residents in Portugal, you can visit their website www.afpop.com; email them direct on [email protected] or call the afpop office on 282 458 509 or 938 252 100. Please remember to quote THE ALGARVE RESIDENT when contacting them.
