Estate agents warn EV-compatible feature gives sellers an ‘edge’ – they reveal top 20 markets in ‘early innings’ of move

As Americans experience a profound shift in driving technology, real estate agents are warning home sellers that driveway features can increase interest in their properties.

More homes are building infrastructure with electric vehicle charging capabilities, saving buyers thousands of dollars in upfront construction costs, according to a study. new study from Realtor.com.

3

3

3

There has been a significant increase in the adoption of home-integrated electric vehicle charging stations, the study, conducted with Cox Automotive, found.

In 2023, 0.9% of homes listed on Realtor.com were considered “EV-friendly.”

This is a massive acceleration, with just 0.1% of households reporting EV charging in 2019.

“The data shows that home sellers are very aware of the electrification trend,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com.

“As the number of electric vehicle owners grows, I expect to see more demand for home charging and electric vehicle-friendly features from both buyers and renters.

“Sellers and property managers who can meet this demand – which can be found in both newer and older homes – will undoubtedly have an advantage.”

Home charging is much more convenient for electric vehicle drivers.

About 80% of EV charging in the US is done at home, according to The US Department of Energy.

“While we remain early in the electrification of the automotive market, with dramatic swings in adoption thus far, EV-friendly homes are proving critical,” said Jonathan Smoke, chief economist at Cox Automotive.

“Having access to a charger is critical to the ease of use of an EV, and when that charger is at home, it is convenient and economical.”

The study revealed a list of the top 20 cities where it is easiest to own an electrified car.

Realtor.com and Cox Automotive based the metric on the number of EV-compatible listings in a city and the availability of public charging.

California tops the list with eight of the most electric-vehicle-friendly cities, the study found.

Santa Clara had the highest percentage of EV-friendly listings, with 4.9% of homes including charging.

Thousand Oaks had the highest number of public chargers available per car, 40.

Virginia, Texas, Utah, New Hampshire, Washington and Massachusetts also have neighborhoods on the list.

Real estate agents told The US Sun that despite the continued expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, current cost pressures have reduced the need for homes to be equipped with integrated charging components.

Several electric vehicle manufacturers – including Ford, Tesla, Fisker and Lucid – have lowered the prices of their cars.

“If you have to upgrade the electrical to accommodate [EV charging capacity]I think you’re talking about $3,000,” said Micheal Tessaro, a real estate agent in Alameda County, California.

“Which to me isn’t a big deal, especially considering how they’ve been cutting electric vehicle prices on new cars.”

However, Tessaro said the integration of EV charging components has been smoothed over time with HOAs and local authorities.

He also added that homeowners in his area don’t always charge their cars at home.

“Many [EV owners] do it at work for free,” he added.

The US Sun has several stories from our Let’s Get Real with Realtor.com series – here’s how one homeowner moved into a tiny house in Texas.

Also, here is the list of the cheapest cities to rent an apartment.