ChargeNode data shows that charging usage increases by up to 39% within 12 months of installation. The induction effect changes how you should count on investment — and why you should build for future demand, not just today's.
Most property owners see charging infrastructure as an investment that meets existing demand. But ChargeNode's data from over 30,000 installed outlets shows something more interesting: the installation creates new demand. Charging usage increases by up to 39% within 12 months after the infrastructure is in place. It's called the induction effect -- and it changes how you should factor in the investment.
The induction effect is a concept that describes how the availability of charging infrastructure itself drives electrification forward. It's not just about those who already have an electric car starting to charge more -- it's about the infrastructure lowering the threshold for buying an electric car in the first place.
The mechanism is simple: one of the most common objections to buying an electric car is the fear of not having access to charging at home or at work. Once that infrastructure is in place, the objection disappears. Residents and employees who have previously hesitated to buy an electric car — and this increases the utilization rate of your charging points.
It's not a theory. That's what ChargeNode's data shows, measured on real-world installations over a year.
ChargeNode has analysed data from over 30,000 outlets installed before May 2024 and tracked charging usage 12 months ahead. The result is consistent regardless of the property type -- but the magnitude of the effect varies:
BRF & Community +39%
Business +35%
Real estate company +30%
Hotels & Destinations +25%
Municipalities +25%
BRFs and communities are seeing the strongest impact — probably because apartment dwellers have had the highest threshold to buy an electric car precisely because of uncertainty about charging. Once charging is in place, the barrier falls, and electric car purchases accelerate among residents.
Most charging infrastructure calculations are based on a static utilization rate—you count how many electric cars are in the property today and how much they charge. It provides a cautious calculus, but it systematically underestimates actual returns.
With the induction effect included, the picture looks different. Say you install 6 charging points in an apartment building today with a utilization rate of 300 kWh per outlet per month. With an increase of 39% in the first year, you will land just over 400 kWh per withdrawal per month by the end of the year — directly improving payback time.
That is why the payback period in practice is often shorter than the initial calculus shows -- and why investment improves over time rather than stagnating.
For BRF boards, the induction effect is a concrete argument at the meeting. The question is no longer “do we have enough electric cars to justify an investment?” -- without “how quickly does the need increase after we install?”
ChargeNode's report on charging in Sweden's BRFs shows that only 25.1% of Sweden's BRFs have charging infrastructure today, and that the rate of deployment has fallen by 64% since 2022. At the same time, the share of electric cars continues to increase — 36.5 percent of newly registered cars in 2025 were electric cars. That gap doesn't close by itself.
The BRF that waits until “enough” residents have electric cars risks always lagging one step behind demand. Instead, the BRF that is installing now creates the conditions for demand to grow — and sees charging usage increase by 39% within a year.
1. Build for future demand, not just today's
As the utilization rate increases after installation, it is crucial that the infrastructure is scalable from day one. Pull cable infrastructure to 100% of parking spaces and activate charging devices incrementally. It's cheaper to build right from scratch than to rebuild when demand catches up. Learn more about Scalable Charging Infrastructure.
2. Don't just count on today — count on years 2 and 3
A static calculus underestimates the returns. Add a reasonable growth factor based on induction data to your ROI calculation. Use ChargeNodes ROI Calculator as a starting point and adjusting for expected growth in utilisation rates.
3. Communicate impact to decision makers
Whether you are a property owner who is going to convince a board or BRF chairman who is going to prepare the meeting -- the induction effect is a strong argument. Investment is not just a reaction to existing demand. It drives demand forward.
With 60,000+ charging points in operation and 30% market share, we've seen the induction effect play out in hundreds of properties. Our scalable system architecture -- where cable infrastructure is pulled to all locations from day one and charging devices are activated when needed -- is built to meet growing demand without costly rebuilds.
Do you want to know how the induction effect affects the calculation of your particular property? Read more about electric car charging as a profitable business or contact us for a free consultation.
Charging infrastructure doesn't just meet existing demand -- it creates new ones. With an increase of up to 39% in charging usage within the first year, the induction effect is one of the strongest arguments for investing in charging now rather than waiting until demand is apparent. Whoever builds the infrastructure shapes the demand. The one who waits will catch up with it.
What is the induction effect in electric car charging?
The induction effect describes how access to charging infrastructure inherently drives electric car purchases and increased charging usage. When charging is available at home or at work, one of the most common barriers to buying an electric car disappears — and utilization rates at charging points increase as a result.
How big is the induction effect in practice?
ChargeNode data from over 30,000 installed outlets shows that charging usage increases by 25-39% within 12 months of installation, depending on the type of property. BRFs and co-ops see the strongest impact with +39%.
Does the induction effect affect the payback time of charging infrastructure?
Yes -- positively. Since the utilization rate increases after installation, the initial calculation is often cautious. The actual payback period may be shorter than expected, and returns improve continuously over the first few years.
Why do BRFs see the greatest induction power?
Residents in apartment buildings have historically had the greatest uncertainty around home charging -- one of the most common objections to electric car purchases. When the BRF installs charging infrastructure, that barrier falls, and electric car purchases among residents accelerate.
How do I build the infrastructure to capitalize on the induction effect?
Build scalable from day one: pull cable infrastructure to 100% of parking spaces and activate charging devices incrementally according to actual demand. It's cheaper than building out in batches when demand catches up — and ensures you never limit growth.
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