Why Most EV Charging Projects Fail Before They Even Start
Spoiler alert: It’s not the technology. It’s not even the money.
Most EV charging projects hit a wall before the first bolt is installed. And the worst part? It’s completely avoidable.
As the demand for EV infrastructure skyrockets, especially across commercial properties in Oregon, property owners, developers, and local businesses are realizing that just wanting chargers isn’t enough. You need a plan, a partner, and a process that works in the real world.
Here’s why so many EV projects stall out before they start, and how to make sure yours isn’t one of them.
1. No Clear Use Case = No Real Strategy
Too many properties jump in thinking:
“EVs are the future. We need chargers.”
You’re not wrong. But without understanding who you’re installing for, when they'll use it, and how it will impact your property’s value, you’re setting yourself up for costly confusion later.
At Charli Charging, we help our clients identify their “why” before jumping into the “what.” Otherwise, you risk building something nobody uses, or worse, something that damages your ROI.
2. Trying to DIY the Research
Permitting, utility coordination, ADA compliance, load capacity, incentives, tenant needs...
Thinking you can Google your way through this? That’s the fastest route to delays, overspending, and missed opportunities.
This is especially true for properties with shared parking, multi-use zoning, or older infrastructure, which, let’s face it, describes a lot of Oregon.
A legit EV charging strategy means having a team that knows the playbook and the players, city officials, utility contacts, and incentive programs included.
3. Picking the Wrong Installer or Equipment
All EV chargers are not created equal.
And not every electrician or vendor understands the full landscape of commercial installation, load balancing, or future-proofing.
We’ve seen projects fall apart mid-way because a vendor oversold equipment that couldn’t even be supported on the lot. Or worse, installations that had to be ripped out and redone.
We prevent that by working with a vetted, local network of partners who understand the real cost of doing it wrong.
4. No Long-Term Plan for Maintenance or Monetization
Let’s say you make it to install day. Great. Now what?
Who’s monitoring the chargers?
Who's handling repairs or software updates?
Are you monetizing it? Offering it free? Tying it to tenant perks?
Without a post-installation plan, EV chargers can become a sunk cost instead of a value-add.
Charli Charging builds these conversations into your strategy from day one, because sustainability includes your bottom line, not just your branding.
5. Waiting Too Long to Start
The reality is: the longer you wait, the more competitive it becomes.
Local utilities are getting overloaded. Permitting delays are stretching out. And early incentive programs? They’re not guaranteed to last.
Properties that move now are positioning themselves as forward-thinking leaders. Those who wait? Risk playing catch-up when it’s already a standard, not a bonus.
So How Do You Avoid the Pitfalls?
Here’s the short version: Partner with someone who gets it.
At Charli Charging, we help commercial property owners and local businesses in Oregon, Washington, California, and Texas navigate the entire EV charger journey, from feasibility to funding to future-proofing.
✔️ We handle the heavy lifting
✔️ We speak the city’s language
✔️ We protect your investment
Ready to explore EV charging for your property?
Reach out to us for a no-pressure consult, we’ll tell you whether now’s the right time and what it’ll actually take to make it work.
