Electric vehicle charging is moving from an optional amenity to a lease-planning issue for corporate offices. Building Design+Construction reported in its July/August 2023 issue that more than 40% of companies in the Americas and EMEA were looking to include EV charging stations in future leases, citing JLL’s 2023 Responsible Real Estate study. The same report said about 34% of business renters already used some form of green-lease language.
Those figures describe 2023 lease intentions, not the share of buildings with chargers in 2026. For a tenant or landlord negotiating now, the practical lesson is clear: put charging expectations, responsibilities and expansion rights in the lease instead of relying on a promise that the building is simply “EV ready.”
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What the 2023 finding actually says
The reported finding comes from JLL’s 2023 Responsible Real Estate study, as summarized by Building Design+Construction. It covers companies in the Americas and EMEA that were considering what to include in future leases. It does not count installed chargers, measure charging use, forecast equipment sales or represent every market in those broad regions.
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The trade publication also reported that clauses addressing EVs, embodied carbon, electrification and overall emissions showed the greatest increase in prioritization among corporate leaders. JLL expected uptake of most green-lease targets to double as tenants signed their next lease. That was an expectation reported in 2023, not a verified result of later renewals.
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- Safe & Durable: Rely on this UL-certified EV charger for safe home charging. It can be installed indoors or outdoors by an electrician and includes a cold-resistant cable.
- Fast & Powerful: This EV charger charges 9× faster than a 120V outlet, delivering up to 45 mi/hr., dependent upon your vehicle. It features a J1772 connector for all non-Tesla EVs and requires a 20A or 80A circuit. For Tesla EVs, this will require an adapter.
The article gives two broad reasons for the shift: corporate net-zero commitments and increasingly stringent regulation. It does not identify a particular law, jurisdiction or the relative importance of either driver. A lease team should therefore treat the percentages as evidence of tenant interest, then verify the legal, electrical and financial conditions for the specific property.
Why charging belongs in the lease conversation
A charger affects more than a parking-space accessory. It can require electrical capacity, construction work, utility coordination, access controls, billing rules, maintenance and long-term decisions about who may use a space. If those issues are left outside the lease, the parties can agree that charging is desirable while still disagreeing about the number of spaces, installation timing or operating cost.
For tenants, charging may support employee commuting policies, fleet plans or broader emissions goals. For landlords, it can become part of the building’s sustainability package and a response to tenant requirements. Neither side should assume that a general sustainability clause automatically creates a right to install equipment or guarantees service.
Turn interest into specific lease terms
Use the following sequence when a tenant is evaluating an office or when a landlord is updating a lease form. Each step creates a decision that can be documented in the lease, an exhibit or an agreed construction scope.
1. Define the intended outcome
Start with the users and the business purpose. Ask whether the spaces are for employees, visitors, a company fleet, building staff or a combination. Decide whether access should be limited to the named tenant, shared with other occupants or open to visitors during specified hours.
- State the target number of charging spaces at commencement and whether additional spaces are a future option.
- Identify which parking areas are included: reserved tenant spaces, unreserved spaces, visitor areas or a separate fleet zone.
- Describe the desired availability, such as continuous access, business-hours access or a reservation-based arrangement.
- Separate a firm obligation from a good-faith objective. “Landlord will install” has a different meaning from “parties will explore installation.”
Numbers and equipment types should be confirmed through a site and electrical review rather than copied from a generic lease template.
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- [Up to 9x Faster Charging Speed]: Provides up to 46 miles/hour charging speed via hardwired connection (48 amp - up to 9x faster than a standard wall outlet) or up to 38 miles/hour via the NEMA 14-50 plug (40 amp). Professional installation recommended for optimal safety and performance. [Install The Power Outlet Cord]: No smaller than 8AWG if charge 40-48A, we suggest 6AWG cord.(1.The input side is belongs to the electrician electric automobile regulation scope, need to use three 6AWG cable wires for 48A; 2.The charging cable belongs to the automotive connector certification standard, so the 8AWG cable can meet the 48A.)
- [DESIGNED WITH J1772 Connector for All North America j1772 Connector EVs/PHEVs. Not fits for Tesla/Nacs Connector Cars(j1772 to Tesla adapter needed)]: Compatible with Tesla cars (Adapter needed, not included), Ford, GM, Audi, Kia, Honda, Kia, Hyundai, Gmc, Chevrolet Bolt, VW ID 4, Nissan Leaf, Ford Mustang Mach-E, IONIQ 5 2024 and before, BMW i3, i4, iX, Jeep Wrangler 4xe, etc. [Not fits for Nac connector cars-Kia EV6 2025/EV9,Ariya 2025&2025 loniq 5(J1772 to Tesla adapter needed)]
- [Safety & Faster Charging with ETL, FCC, Energy Star Certified]: Meets the Safety Criteria Defined by: SAE J1772, UL2231-1/-2, UL 991, UL 2231, UL 2251, UL1998 and UL 2594. (ETL and FCC certified EV car charger with 3-year Warranty)
- [Plug-play Mode(The Default Setting), Smart Touch Screen, No APP Needed]: Clearly show the charging amperage, charging speed, input voltage, delay time, etc. For the touch buttons: 1. Pull out the charging gun before press the buttons, otherwise no respond; 2. Long press "Ⓐ" or "Time" button to enter the setting interface, then you can adjust the amperage from 16A to 48A freely or Set the charging start time; 3. You can do "factory reset" if doesn't charging.
- [Smart WIFI APP, You can Set the Charging Period]: By APP, you can wirelessly check the charging cost, history, fully-charged notification, track the charging status, during off-peak period, etc. [Wi-Fi Reset/Factory Reset Function, Add New Device Quickly]: If you can't find your device or you have replaced a new phone, just pull out the charging latches, simultaneously long press the Ⓐ button and time adjustment button on the product screen until it shows "Factory Reset", then wait 3-5 seconds and re-start your device.
2. Assign funding, ownership and control
Charging projects commonly involve equipment, wiring, switchgear, software, permits and ongoing service. The lease should identify who pays each category and what happens if the project costs more than an initial allowance.
- Identify the party responsible for design, permitting, construction and utility coordination.
- State who owns the chargers, distribution equipment and any dedicated electrical improvements during the term.
- Explain whether capital costs are paid directly, recovered through rent, treated as an operating expense or shared under a separate agreement.
- Specify what happens to equipment at expiration, renewal, assignment or early termination, including removal and restoration duties.
- Address damage, insurance, indemnity and responsibility for work in common areas.
Where a tenant funds equipment on property it does not own, the lease should protect the tenant’s access and removal rights while preserving the landlord’s ability to approve safe construction.
3. Verify electrical capacity and expansion rights
A parking-space promise is not the same as available power. Before signing, the parties should obtain an assessment of the building’s service, distribution equipment, routing options and the capacity reserved for other loads. The published 2023 report supplies no electrical specifications, so these must come from property-specific engineering.
- Record the point of connection and the party responsible for upgrades if existing capacity is insufficient.
- Define where conduits, panels, transformers and protective equipment may be installed.
- Reserve pathways or designated electrical capacity for a later phase if expansion is part of the tenant’s plan.
- Set a process for approving changes that affect other tenants, life-safety systems or the utility service.
- Require updated drawings and as-built records after construction so future work does not depend on undocumented assumptions.
Expansion language should include a review process and a cost allocation, not just a statement that more chargers may be added later.
4. Set access and billing rules
Charging access can be simple for a single-tenant fleet and more complex in a multi-tenant garage. The lease should state who may enter the charging area, how spaces are marked and what happens when a vehicle remains parked after charging.
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- Define eligibility for tenant drivers, visitors, contractors and other building occupants.
- State whether charging spaces are reserved, first-come, shared by agreement or controlled through a reservation system.
- Identify who sets the charging price, collects payment and handles refunds or disputed transactions.
- Explain how electricity is measured when chargers share a building meter and how the resulting cost is allocated.
- Address changes to rates, taxes, utility charges and any network or payment-service fees.
Do not assume that ordinary parking language answers these questions. Charging, parking and electricity can be governed by separate provisions that need to work together.
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- WORKS WITH EVERY NON-TESLA EV: Standard J1772 connector plugs straight into Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Rivian, Lucid and every other EV or plug-in hybrid sold with a J1772 port - no adapter needed. Tesla drivers can charge too, using the J1772 adapter that comes with the car.
- PLUG IN, NO HARDWIRING: Level 2 charger delivers up to 40A to fully charge most EVs overnight. Plugs into a 240V, 4-prong NEMA 14-50 outlet (the RV/range type - NOT a dryer outlet) on a dedicated 50A circuit. The extra-long 25 ft cable easily reaches across a garage or driveway. Before ordering, check your car's port type and that you have the right outlet.
- CONTROL & SAVE FROM YOUR PHONE: A stronger built-in antenna keeps the charger online even in a garage or basement. Use the free app to start/stop charging, set speed (6-40A), get reminders, and track energy use and cost. Schedule off-peak overnight charging to cut your electric bill. Requires 2.4 GHz WiFi.
- SAFETY-CERTIFIED & WEATHERPROOF: Independently tested and certified (UL, ETL, FCC, Energy Star). A fully sealed IP66 / NEMA 4 housing stands up to rain, snow, heat and dust indoors or out, and internal steel shielding protects the electronics for years of reliable use.
- GLOW-IN-THE-DARK HOLSTER: The included high-visibility holster glows in the dark so you can find and dock the plug easily at night. Holds the connector securely when not in use.
5. Define operations, maintenance and service levels
A functioning installation requires more than commissioning. The lease should identify the party responsible for inspections, software administration, repairs, cleaning, signage and response to outages or damage.
- Name the operator responsible for receiving fault reports and communicating service updates.
- Set a process for planned shutdowns, emergency access and repairs that require entry to a tenant’s area.
- Clarify who replaces failed hardware and who pays for damage caused by vehicles, weather or vandalism.
- State how equipment changes, firmware updates or network substitutions are approved.
- Define what happens if a charger is unavailable for an extended period, including notice and a plan for temporary access where practical.
A lease can require reporting or a response process without promising an uptime percentage that the parties have not technically or commercially evaluated.
6. Connect charging to green-lease reporting
Because the 2023 article identified green-lease language as an existing practice among many business renters, charging provisions may sit alongside broader sustainability clauses. The parties should specify what information is shared and why it is needed.
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- State whether data is aggregated, anonymized or linked to individual users.
- Set retention, security and access rules for charging records.
- Describe how either party may use the information in sustainability reports, regulatory filings or tenant disclosures.
- Make clear which figures are measured at the property and which are estimates or supplied by a service provider.
The lease should not claim a carbon reduction that has not been measured. If reporting methods change, include a process for agreeing on a comparable calculation.
7. Check jurisdiction, code and approvals
Requirements differ by location and can affect parking, electrical work, accessibility, fire safety, construction permits, utility interconnection and environmental reporting. The source article names no particular regulation, so a lease cannot rely on the survey finding as proof that a project is legally permitted.
- Identify the governing jurisdiction for the property and the authorities whose approvals are needed.
- Assign responsibility for permit applications, inspections and correction of deficiencies.
- Confirm that the proposed spaces and equipment comply with applicable building, electrical, fire and accessibility requirements.
- Set a schedule that allows for authority review and utility lead times before promising an in-service date.
- Require both parties to notify the other if a legal change materially affects the agreed design or operating model.
Local counsel, the project engineer and the authority having jurisdiction should review the final language for the property’s location.
Rank #4
- WORKS WITH EVERY NON-TESLA EV: Standard J1772 connector plugs straight into Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Rivian, Lucid and every other EV or plug-in hybrid sold with a J1772 port - no adapter needed. Tesla drivers can charge too, using the J1772 adapter that comes with the car. The extra-long 25 ft cable easily reaches across a garage or driveway.
- HARDWIRED - PROFESSIONAL INSTALL: This Level 2 charger is hardwired (not plug-in), so a licensed electrician installs it per National Electrical Code. It delivers up to 48A on a dedicated 60A, 240V circuit - enough to charge most EVs fully overnight. Want more speed? You can set DIP switches 4 and 5 to unlock 50A on a dedicated 70A circuit. Before ordering, check your car's port type and that your electrical panel can support the circuit.
- CONTROL FROM YOUR PHONE: A stronger built-in antenna keeps the charger online even in a garage or basement. Use the free app to start and stop charging, set the charging speed (6-48A), get reminders, and track how much energy and money each charge uses. Requires a 2.4 GHz home WiFi network.
- SAFETY-CERTIFIED & WEATHERPROOF: Independently tested and certified (UL, ETL, FCC, Energy Star). A fully sealed IP66 / NEMA 4 housing stands up to rain, snow, heat and dust indoors or out, and internal steel shielding protects the electronics for years of reliable use.
- GLOW-IN-THE-DARK HOLSTER: The included high-visibility holster glows in the dark so you can find and dock the plug easily at night. Holds the connector securely when not in use.
8. Establish milestones and remedies
Charging work often crosses lease commencement, tenant improvements and later capital projects. Break the commitment into milestones that can be checked.
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- Approve a written scope showing spaces, equipment categories, routing and responsibilities.
- Obtain permits, utility approvals and any landlord or lender consents.
- Complete construction, testing and commissioning.
- Deliver operating instructions, warranties, drawings and contact information.
- Begin billing and reporting under the agreed process.
Specify notice requirements and a resolution path if a milestone is missed. A tenant may seek an alternative parking arrangement or rent adjustment; a landlord may require a revised schedule when an approval or capacity constraint is outside its control. The appropriate remedy depends on the negotiated deal and local law.
Tenant checklist before signing
A corporate renter can use these questions in site tours, requests for proposals and lease drafts:
- How many charging spaces are committed on day one, and where are they located?
- Are the spaces exclusive, shared or subject to relocation?
- What electrical study supports the proposed installation, and who pays for upgrades?
- Can the tenant add spaces later, and is physical or electrical capacity reserved?
- Who owns the equipment and receives warranties if the tenant pays for it?
- Who operates the chargers, sets rates and handles user support?
- How are electricity and network costs measured and billed?
- What notice is required for outages, construction or a change in access rules?
- What data will the tenant receive for emissions reporting?
- What happens to the installation if the lease ends before the equipment’s useful life?
Require the answers in the lease or an incorporated exhibit. A marketing description or email can be difficult to enforce if it conflicts with the executed documents.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Landlord checklist for a workable program
Owners and property managers can reduce disputes by preparing a repeatable process rather than negotiating every detail after a tenant moves in.
- Document existing electrical infrastructure and likely expansion constraints.
- Create an approval path for design, contractors, utility work and protection of common areas.
- Use consistent rules for access, signage, parking enforcement and billing across tenants.
- Decide whether the building will operate the service, appoint a network operator or permit tenant-specific arrangements.
- Keep records of permits, inspections, warranties, maintenance and changes to the electrical system.
- Coordinate charging work with other capital projects so conduits and service upgrades are not duplicated.
- Give prospective tenants a clear description of what is installed, what is planned and what remains subject to feasibility.
Clear boundaries help an owner support charging as a tenant amenity without making an open-ended promise about capacity or service.
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- Charge with Confidence: ChargePoint builds reliable, flexible EV charging stations for home, business, and fleets. Get 24/7 support and access to hundreds of thousands of North American charging locations
- Charge Smart: With the user-friendly ChargePoint Mobile App, you can control your electric car charger, manage reminders, connect to smart home devices, find stations, get data and charging info, and access the latest features
- Vast Network: Wherever you go, ChargePoint’s network includes 274k+ stations across North America and Europe and 565k+ roaming partner stations
- Safe & Durable: Rely on this UL-certified EV charger for safe home charging. It can be installed indoors or outdoors by an electrician and includes a cold-resistant cable
- Fast & Powerful: This EV charger charges 9× faster than a 120V outlet, delivering up to 45 mi/hr., dependent upon your vehicle. It features a J1772 connector for all non-Tesla EVs and plugs into a 240V outlet with a 14-50 receptacle, requiring a 40A or 50A circuit. For Tesla EVs, this will require an adapter
Costs and risks to resolve without guessing
The 2023 report provides no charger prices, installation estimates, utilization data or payback period. Any budget should therefore be prepared for the property, jurisdiction and operating model rather than borrowed from a general market figure.
Ask the project team to separate one-time and recurring costs. One-time categories may include design, permits, civil work, electrical equipment and commissioning. Recurring categories may include electricity, demand charges, software, payment processing, maintenance, insurance and replacement reserves. The lease should state whether each cost is paid by the landlord, the tenant or users of the service.
Utilization is another uncertainty. A small number of heavily used spaces can create different operating and parking issues from a larger network with low use. Require a review date at which the parties can examine actual use and decide whether to expand, reassign or redesign the service, while preserving any rights already granted in the lease.
How to compare competing lease proposals
When several buildings or landlord proposals are under consideration, compare them using the same questions rather than headline claims about sustainability.
- Scope: Count the spaces committed at commencement and identify the spaces that could be added later.
- Readiness: Confirm the documented electrical path, approvals and construction responsibility.
- Control: Compare who owns, operates, maintains and can modify the equipment.
- Access: Review user eligibility, hours, reservations, parking enforcement and relocation rights.
- Economics: Separate capital recovery, electricity, service fees and user charges.
- Continuity: Check outage communication, repair responsibility, warranties and remedies.
- Reporting: Verify what energy and emissions data will be delivered and in what format.
- Future fit: Assess expansion pathways, lease term, renewal options and end-of-term treatment.
This framework compares the obligations that matter to a lease. It does not substitute for engineering, legal or financial review.
Common mistakes that weaken an EV charging clause
- Using “EV ready” without a definition: The phrase may not identify installed equipment, available capacity, conduit, spaces or a delivery date.
- Promising spaces without a power plan: Parking allocation does not prove that the building can support the intended load.
- Leaving billing to a later conversation: Disputes can arise over electricity, network fees, taxes and idle vehicles.
- Ignoring ownership at lease end: Equipment paid for by a tenant may become a restoration or removal dispute.
- Omitting maintenance and outage procedures: A newly installed charger still needs an operator, a support channel and a repair process.
- Assuming one rule fits every location: Permits, accessibility requirements, utility processes and building codes are jurisdiction-specific.
- Claiming sustainability results too early: Intentions and planned infrastructure are not the same as measured emissions reductions.
What the evidence cannot establish
The underlying JLL report was not available in the published passage reviewed for this topic. The sample size, survey method, field dates and exact wording therefore cannot be independently confirmed here. The Building Design+Construction account supports a carefully labeled 2023 finding about corporate lease intentions, not a current 2026 statistic.
It also does not establish how many chargers companies ultimately installed, which charger specifications they selected, what projects cost, how often equipment is used or which regulations drove individual decisions. Those questions require property-level diligence and, where necessary, current local advice.
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Corporate interest in EV charging is now substantial enough to address during lease planning, but the useful commitment is a defined one: spaces, power, funding, ownership, access, billing, maintenance, data, approvals, milestones and end-of-term treatment. The 2023 figures explain why tenants are asking; a property-specific lease and engineering process determine whether the promise can actually be delivered.
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