The tenants ask, the neighbor has installed and the parking lot has shared spaces without chargers. Five signs your property is already missing out on charging revenue -- and what it costs per year to wait.
Most property owners know that charging infrastructure is a good investment. Still, many are waiting. Maybe because it's “not the right mode yet,” because the board hasn't agreed, or because no one has figured out what the wait actually costs. This blog is for those who recognize at least one of these five signs — because then the likelihood is high that your property is already missing out on revenue.
That's the clearest sign of all. By the time tenants start taking charge in the negotiation -- not as a wish, but as a demand -- the market has already caught up with your property. In 2025, 36.5% of all newly registered passenger cars in Sweden are electric cars About 95,000 vehicles. The share is expected to reach 40% in 2026. A large and growing portion of your tenants' employees drive a car that needs recharging daily.
The property that can answer “yes, we have charge” wins the lease negotiation. Anyone who can't it loses the tenant -- or is forced to give a discount to compensate.
What it costs to wait: An office tenant choosing another property because of charging doesn't just mean a lost rent -- it means a vacancy expense and costly marketing efforts to find a new one. Learn more about what it costs your property not to have charging.
Charging infrastructure follows the same pattern that fiber once did. At first, it was the added value of a few properties. Then it became a standard that everyone assumed. The property that doesn't keep up loses competitiveness — not dramatically from one day to the next, but gradually and inevitably.
If properties in your area or your competitive situation already offer charging, you are no longer at the forefront. You're about to fall behind. An indication: in municipalities such as Sollentuna and Tyresö, more than 60% of BRFs have installed charging infrastructure. In Stockholm's inner city, the figure is only 16%. The gap between those who have acted and those who wait is growing -- and installing under pressure is more expensive and stressful than acting proactively now.
This is the most common cause of untapped revenue potential. Shared parking spaces — where multiple vehicles use the same space during the week — typically provide 400—500 kWh per outlet per month. That's 3—4 times more than a dedicated spot per apartment or employee.
If your property has an office parking, hotel parking, or retail space with shared spaces and no charging points, you're missing out on one of the strongest business cases in real estate infrastructure today. Learn more about why split sites yield 3-4x higher returns.
Calculus example: An office property with 6 charging points in shared locations, utilization rate 450 kWh/outlet/month and a price margin of 2.50/kWh generates SEK 11,250 in monthly revenue. Every month without recharge points is $11,250 in lost revenue.
Decision-making processes in real estate companies and BRF boards take time — this is understandable. But every month of discussion without a decision is a month of lost revenue, and a month closer to the Recharge Car subsidy disappearing or shrinking.
Since February 1, 2026, new rules apply to Charge the Car Subsidy: up to 50% of the investment cost is covered, a maximum of SEK 15,000 per charging point. The application must be submitted before the installation is ordered — the processing time is 3-4 months. This means that the decision needs to be taken now in order for the grant to be granted.
In addition, Boverket's requirements will be tightened from 29 May 2026 — office buildings with more than 20 parking spaces must have 50% charging coverage in the case of new construction, and retroactive requirements for existing premises will take effect on 1 January 2027. Whoever acts now meets the demands proactively. Anyone who waits runs the risk of being forced to install under time pressure — without a subsidy.
A common mistake: you look at how many electric cars are in the property today and judge that it is not enough to justify an investment. But the calculation should not be based on what it looks like today -- but on what it looks like 12-24 months from now.
ChargeNode data from over 30,000 installed outlets shows that charging usage increases by up to 39% within 12 months of installation. Not because charging users are charging more -- but because the infrastructure itself lowers the threshold for buying an electric car. Residents and employees who had previously hesitated get an electric car when charging is in place. Read more about the induction effect.
The property that waits until “enough people” have an electric car risks always lagging one step behind demand.
Let's count on a concrete example. An office property with 50 parking spaces and 6 charging points in shared locations:
It's not an abstract risk. That's money left on the table every month.
Then it's time to figure out what your specific property can earn. Use ChargeNodes ROI Calculator to get a concrete decision basis in a few minutes — or read more about electric car charging as a profitable business. Contact us for a free consultation and we will help you take the next step.
Waiting is an active choice -- and it has a price. Tenants who ask, neighbors who installed, shared seats without chargers, a year of discussion and an underestimated demand. If you recognize one or more of these signs, chances are your property is already missing out on revenue. The question is not whether you should invest. That's how soon.
How much can my property earn on electric car charging?
It depends on the type of property and the degree of utilization. An office property with 6 charging points in shared locations can earn SEK 11,250 per month at a price margin of SEK 2.50/kWh. Hotels with 20 charging points and high utilization rates can reach SEK 30,000 per month. Use ChargeNode's ROI calculator to calculate your property's specific potential.
What happens if we miss the Charge the Car grant?
You miss out on up to 50% of the investment cost, a maximum of SEK 15,000 per recharge point. For an installation of SEK 150,000, this means a loss of up to SEK 75,000. The application must be submitted before the installation is ordered — the processing time is 3-4 months.
How do I know if my tenants will soon require charging?
If your property has tenants with service cars, employees in service-car-intensive industries, or office tenants with young employees, the likelihood is high. In 2025, 36.5% of newly registered cars were electric cars — and the proportion is steadily increasing.
Is it too early to invest if we only have a few electric cars today?
No -- quite the opposite. ChargeNode data shows that charging usage increases by up to 39% within 12 months of installation. Infrastructure creates demand, it doesn't just meet it. The property that installs now sees demand grow into investment.
How long is the payback period for charging infrastructure?
For commercial properties with shared parking spaces, the payback period is typically 10—16 months with the right revenue model and the Charge the Car subsidy included. Read more about payback periods by property type.
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