Elleven, Los Angeles -
EV Charging Case Study

An iconic LA multifamily property and Epic Charging deliver a seamless migration of 24 JuiceBoxes and deployment of 48 new Autel chargers

Introduction

A huge gap exists in the multifamily housing (MFH) market between resident demand for EV charging and available supply. According to Energy Innovation, a non-partisan climate and energy policy think tank, only 5% of MFH properties have EV chargers despite the fact that 67% of residents say they might buy an electric vehicle if home charging options were accessible. Considering 80% of all charging happens at home, it comes as no surprise that MFH residents are 2.5 times more likely to own an EV if their building has the necessary infrastructure. Fortunately, forward-thinking properties like Elleven in Los Angeles have recognized the benefits of satiating resident demand and have employed Epic to provide load management solutions that address energy distribution as they scale.
Background
Elleven is a luxury condominium community nestled in the heart of downtown LA’s South Park District. Built in 2006, it boasts 176 units, a half-acre terrace with pool and sundeck, lounge areas, fire pits and round-the-clock concierge/security. It’s also a short walk to several popular landmarks like the LA Convention Center, GRAMMY Museum and Crypto.com Arena. Moreover, Elleven is an archetype for modern, sustainable urban living, becoming the first residential building in downtown LA to be LEED-certified by the US Green Building Council. These eco-friendly credentials partially stemmed from an early installation of 58 Enel X Way JuiceBox EV chargers, which served to attract affluent, environmentally conscious residents who were at the forefront of electric mobility adoption.

Challenges

In 2024, Italian energy company Enel Group announced it was shuttering all North American operations, giving site hosts like Elleven just nine days’ notice to find a new supported solution before their JuiceBox EV chargers went offline. The untimeliness of such an announcement was compounded by the fact that resident demand was at an all-time high, and Elleven’s management was actively looking to expand their infrastructure with 14 additional EV chargers. They immediately began evaluating alternative network providers and, after rigorous vetting, selected Epic to migrate their infrastructure and upgrade their system. One of Elleven’s engineering constraints, however, was the need for highly sophisticated load management capabilities. In particular, their electrical system required three-phase load control for whole-building demand management – a solution that employs smart technology and demand response signals to optimize energy usage while preventing overloads – something that did not exist in our product at the time.
Solution
Our award-winning team of engineers, in conjunction with installer Sustainable Electric, developed an innovative approach to integrate three-phase systems into our existing platform specifically for this deployment. Think of three-phase power as three single-phase AC circuits running simultaneously. We extended our load control module to monitor and regulate current on all three phases using a two-level strategy: balancing loads within each charger group (sub-panel) and across the entire site (main panel) so the aggregated load stays balanced and each phase remains within preset limits, enabling constant, efficient energy delivery. We then updated our data model to include 1) storage of phase-specific details for each EV charger; 2) configurable current limits at both the sub-panel and main panel; and 3) real-time telemetry for any corrective action that might be needed. We also expanded load balancing logic via continuous phase-by-phase monitoring and dynamic throttling to avert overloading when a phase approaches capacity. Furthermore, user interface enhancements like up-to-the-second phase-level metrics gave facility managers maximum visibility and control. Finally, we performed both simulated and on-site testing to ensure proper load distribution and safety measures were fully implemented.

Impact

Our flexible, responsive, customer-centered approach not only helped Elleven’s management avoid a costly shutdown of its EV smart-charging capabilities, it also provided a vastly superior platform that improved command, control and performance. Moreover, it allowed residents the option to either keep their existing JuiceBox EV charger or replace it with a new Autel charger. Ultimately, 24 JuiceBoxes migrated to Epic while 48 new Autel chargers were installed for a total of 72 chargers in operation across the property. Perhaps most importantly, the project requirements induced Epic to develop new three-phase load control technology that positions us as a clear leader in multifamily load management.

Key Highlights

  • Speed
    We were able to quickly provide a solution that avoided service interruption.
  • Innovation
    We were able to develop new solutions in load management that addressed the customer’s needs.
  • Flexibility
    We were able to work with existing infrastructure, which helped avoid a major retrofit.
  • Profitability
    Our rapid response, efficient execution and flexible approach allowed for enormous cost savings.
  • Future-Proofing
    Our OCPP-compliant software will allow management to further grow and adapt as EV charging technology changes.
  • Leadership
    We cemented our position as a trailblazer in multifamily load management.

Conclusion

MFH properties that install EV chargers will eventually achieve market dominance as the electric mobility revolution swells. Site hosts will attract greater numbers of tenants with higher incomes while at the same time capitalizing on charging fees and increased property values that result in having EV chargers. In addition, they will foster EV adoption by satiating resident demand for infrastructure, which has consistently been cited by residents as a prerequisite for EV purchasing, while also driving sector innovation like the kind we were able to achieve at the Elleven condominium complex.

Want to provide this valuable amenity for your residents? Contact us today for more information on how we can help.