EV Charging for Property Owners: What’s Improving, What Still Matters — A Guide from Shaffer Construction, Inc.

Electric vehicle (EV) charging is moving fast. Public charging reliability is improving and new technologies are making stations faster and more convenient for drivers — but cost, siting, and thoughtful infrastructure planning still determine whether an installation succeeds for property owners and site hosts. At Shaffer Construction, Inc., we help Los Angeles property owners, multifamily managers, employers, and retail operators plan and install EV charging infrastructure that balances driver experience, electrical realities, and long-term costs.

Why now: the charging landscape in 2025

Recent industry reporting shows that public charging reliability is getting better, while networks and technologies expand quickly. A J.D. Power–based report summarized by Automotive Dive found that fewer EV drivers failed to charge at a public station in 2025 compared with previous years, indicating steady reliability gains in many charging networks (Automotive Dive — J.D. Power charging study).

At the same time, companies and network operators are launching new station deployments and partnerships across states, increasing both the quantity and the geographic spread of fast chargers. For example, a growing number of private/public partnerships and retail rollouts are adding high-power stations to convenience-store and retail locations, bringing 150 kW–350 kW chargers to popular corridors (Electrify America & Royal Farms station expansion).

What’s improving for EV drivers — and why that matters to site hosts

Reliability is up: Fewer users report failed charge attempts, showing that hardware uptime, maintenance, and network software have been improving. Reliable stations reduce complaints, liability, and lost revenue for hosts.

User experience is getting simpler: Advances like plug-and-charge workflows and better session handling make charging quicker and reduce support calls. These features raise property value when implemented well.

More network options: New entrants and network partnerships are increasing station density and payment options — important for attracting customers or tenants who require convenience and choice.

All of these driver-facing gains increase the likelihood that charging infrastructure will be used regularly, which is central for site hosts evaluating return on investment.

New technology to watch: battery-backed fast chargers and Plug & Charge

Two technology trends stand out for property owners because they change electrical requirements and operational costs:

Battery-backed DC fast chargers

Battery-backed chargers use on-site battery storage to reduce instantaneous grid power draw during charging sessions, allowing higher peak charging rates without costly grid upgrades. These systems can:

Lower demand charges or avoid expensive service upgrades, because batteries smooth out peaks.

Enable faster charging for multiple vehicles at once on sites with limited utility capacity.

Provide resiliency benefits for critical locations by storing energy for short outages.

Sources analyzing these systems explain how battery-backed DC fast chargers can eliminate peak grid loads and make high-power charging more viable at constrained sites (Electric Era — battery-backed DC fast chargers).

Plug & Charge (automated authentication)

Plug & Charge automates the sign-in and payment process: when a compatible EV plugs in, the vehicle and charger authenticate automatically and the transaction begins without an app, RFID card, or manual payment step. This reduces friction for users and decreases the number of support calls and payment disputes for hosts. Coverage of this trend highlights how Plug & Charge is becoming a mainstream convenience feature across the U.S. (WebProNews — Plug & Charge).

Network growth and site partnerships

Large-scale rollouts and retail partnerships remain an important route to increased charger availability. Recent collaborations between networks and convenience-store chains show that operators are placing high-power equipment where drivers already stop, improving utilization. These rollouts are relevant to property owners because they signal market demand and provide models for how to structure host agreements, revenue sharing, and station placement (Electrify America partnership example).

Similarly, network expansions from new entrants and specialized network operators are increasing options for hosts that want branded network presence, managed maintenance, or turnkey programs. Coverage of new network entries describes how these operators position themselves and what they offer site hosts (EV Infrastructure & Energy News — Electric Era U.S. network).

Cost realities: hardware, electrical work, and long-term operations

Even with better reliability and new tech, installation and operating cost concerns remain the primary factors affecting owner satisfaction. The total project cost includes three major components:

Equipment: Level 2 chargers are cheaper to buy and install than DC fast chargers. High-power DC fast chargers and battery-backed configurations have higher capital costs but enable faster sessions and more turnover, which can be critical for retail or corridor sites.

Electrical upgrades: Many existing buildings were not designed with EV charging in mind. Upgrading service panels, transformers, or utility service can be the single largest line item in an installation. Battery-backed systems can sometimes reduce the need for costly utility upgrades.

Operations and maintenance: Network subscriptions, payment processing, support, and repairs are ongoing costs. Choosing robust, widely supported hardware and a reliable network partner can reduce long-term operating headaches.

Site owners should consider both up-front costs and a five- to ten-year operations outlook to make compares that reflect total cost of ownership.

How to evaluate what’s right for your property

Not every property needs the same charger type or deployment. Use these practical steps to determine the right solution:

Define your objective: Are you serving residents, employees, customers, or transient fast-charging customers? Tenant and commuter charging can usually be met with Level 2 stations, while corridor or retail sites may require DC fast chargers.

Assess electrical capacity: Conduct a site electrical survey to find available panel capacity and potential need for service upgrades. This drives major cost decisions.

Consider user experience: Choose authentication and payment options (e.g., Plug & Charge, network roaming, RFID) that match your customers’ needs. Simpler experiences reduce support overhead.

Plan for growth: Install infrastructure (raceways, conduit, panels) that makes future chargers easier to add. Doing conduit and rough-in work now is far less expensive than retrofitting later.

Evaluate total cost of ownership: Compare hardware prices, expected energy and demand charges, network fees, and maintenance costs over several years.

Case in point: battery-backed fast charging for constrained sites

Suppose a retail center wants two 150 kW DC fast chargers but the building only has a 400 A service and the utility will charge for a costly upgrade. A battery-backed installation can store energy during off-peak hours and release it during charging sessions, allowing full-speed charging without a full utility upgrade. While the capital cost is higher, the site avoids months of utility work and large upgrade fees, and the chargers deliver the driver experience needed to attract customers. Reporting on battery-backed solutions explains this trade-off clearly (Electric Era battery-backed DC fast chargers).

Practical checklist for property owners

Start with a site electrical assessment and usage study.

Decide whether to manage chargers in-house, choose a network operator, or use a turnkey host-provider model.

Include conduit, stub-ups, and extra capacity in the initial construction budget to save future costs.

Plan for simple customer authentication (Plug & Charge where possible) to reduce friction.

Ask vendors for lifecycle cost projections, not just equipment quotes.

Incentives, funding, and partnership opportunities

Governments and utilities continue to offer incentives, rebates, and grant programs to promote charger installations. While program availability changes frequently, knowing about federal, state, and local incentives can materially improve project economics. Many network operators and charging providers will help hosts identify and apply for incentives — but it’s important to evaluate vendor proposals independently and ensure incentives don’t hide higher long-term costs.

Why work with a local electrical and general contractor?

Installing EV charging infrastructure is both electrical and civil work. A qualified local contractor who understands Los Angeles permitting, utility interconnection, and code compliance can:

Perform accurate load calculations and site assessments.

Plan conduit and trenching to minimize disruption to property operations.

Coordinate with utilities and manage permits and inspections.

Provide warranty-backed installation with local maintenance and emergency response.

At Shaffer Construction, Inc., we specialize in EV charger installations across Los Angeles. Whether you need Level 2 chargers for apartments, workplace charging, or DC fast chargers with battery-backed systems, we design installations that prioritize uptime, user experience, and cost-effective electrical solutions.

Sources and further reading

These industry reports and news items provide recent context about reliability, network expansions, battery-backed charging, and Plug & Charge:

Automotive Dive — J.D. Power: EV charging reliability improves

EV Infrastructure & Energy News — Electric Era launches U.S. charging network

[EVChargingStations.com — Electric Era battery-backed DC fast chargers](https://evchargingstations.com/chargingnews/electric-era-battery-backed-dc-fast-chargers/)

[TheBuzzEVNews — Electrify America & Royal Farms station expansion](https://www.thebuzzevnews.com/electrify-america-royal-farms-ev-charging/)

[WebProNews — Plug & Charge technology adoption in the U.S.](https://www.webpronews.com/plug-and-charge-tech-to-revolutionize-us-ev-charging-in-2025/)

Next steps — get a site assessment from a local LA expert

If you own or manage property in Los Angeles and are thinking about EV charging, schedule a site assessment and feasibility review. Shaffer Construction, Inc. provides complete electrical and general contracting services for charger installations, including site planning, permitting, electrical upgrades, trenching, concrete work, and system commissioning.

Contact us: Shaffer Construction, Inc. Website: www.shaffercon.com Phone: 323-642-8509 Email: hello@shaffercon.com Address: 325 N Larchmont Blvd. #202, Los Angeles, CA 90004

We’ll help you evaluate technology choices, estimate utility impacts, and design a practical installation that meets your budget and operational goals.

— Shaffer Construction, Inc.