Do Electric Vehicles Need a Garage? A Reality Check for Eco-Minded Homebuyers

While many might assume that an electrical vehicle should be stored and charged in a garage, a new study suggests that EV owners might not need to keep a garage on their home-shopping must-have list.

According to an analysis from Realtor.com® and Cox Automotive, while garages are not uncommon for listings that are EV-friendly, a home without a dedicated space for a vehicle doesn’t mean a homeowner can’t charge their car.

Realtor.com analyzed the 100 metropolitan areas with the greatest percentage of EV-friendly listings on Realtor.com in 2023. The study was conducted in collaboration with Cox Automotive, which assessed the availability of public charging ports in these areas.

Indeed, out of the 0.9% of homes listed on Realtor.com rated as being EV-friendly, 29.6% of those listings don’t have a garage.

In a nutshell, this means that while a garage is a highly desirable amenity, the lack of one shouldn’t necessarily make or break the deal for would-be homebuyers with electric vehicles.

“According to our research, while garages are common among EV-friendly homes, it is not a must,” says Realtor.com economist Jiayi Xu. “In fact, one-third of EV-friendly homes listed on Realtor.com in 2023 did not include a garage. Recognizing this fact can broaden the search criteria for homebuyers who own or intend to own an EV, allowing them to consider a wider range of properties.”

The garage factor

According to Cox Automotive, about 1.2 million new EVs were registered last year. The importance of a garage for those new—or older—EVs might depend on the climate.

Having a dedicated space to not only park and charge your car but also to protect it from the elements shows up in listing descriptions. Approximately 70.4% of homes deemed EV-friendly on Realtor.com in 2023 featured “garage” in their listing descriptions.

“Notably, the significance of having a garage is more pronounced in EV-friendly homes located in markets with colder climates, such as Colorado Springs, CO; Chicago, IL; and Denver, CO, where over 90% of the listed EV-friendly properties include garages,” explains Xu.

Meanwhile, metros that sometimes see scorching temperatures, such as Cape Coral, FL; Oxnard, CA; Phoenix; and Riverside, CA, also see around 80% of EV-friendly listings that come with garages.

How to make a garage-less home EV-friendly

The good news is that even if a listing doesn’t mention an EV charging station, a homebuyer can install one themselves.

Setting up an EV charger in a driveway is straightforward and relatively easy. The first step is to assess the home’s parking situation, whether it’s a driveway or curbside, and ensure there’s easy access to a charger.

Next is installing one of two types of chargers: Level 1 chargers are basic, providing 3 to 6 miles of range per hour, and simply plug into a standard outlet. Level 2 chargers offer faster charging, ranging from 2 to 8 hours for a full charge. These require a licensed electrician to either hardwire it directly to the electrical panel for consistent charging or install a plug-in setup for portability.

The average installation cost for the dedicated 240-volt outlet required for a Level 2 charger ranges from $600 to $800, depending on distance and panel type, permits, and wiring.

“For sellers and agents, highlighting and marketing EV-friendly attributes in homes without garages can facilitate connections with a broader audience of potential buyers,” adds Xu.

For those EV drivers who want to skip the hassle of installing a charger and move into an EV-ready home, these are the top markets where EV-friendly listings often come without a garage.

1. Urban Honolulu, HI 

Median home list price: $750,000
EV-friendly listings without garages: 57.5% 
91-701A Oneula Pl for sale for $1,375,000

2. Miami, FL

Median home list price: $549,000
EV-friendly listings without garages: 52.5%
70 NW 47th Terrace for sale for $825,000

3. Seattle, WA

Median home list price: $768,000
EV-friendly listings without garages: 46.4%
552 NE 60th St for sale for $899,000

4. San Antonio, TX

Median home list price: $340,000
EV-friendly listings without garages: 45.7%

5. New York, NY

Median home list price: $760,000
EV-friendly listings without garages: 41.9%
22-25 27th St for sale for $1,499,000

6. Boston, MA

Median home list price: $880,000
EV-friendly listings without garages: 41.5%
165 W Brookline St for sale for $6,500,000

7. Santa Rosa, CA

Median home list price: $850,000
EV-friendly listings without garages: 39.7%
1350 Yulupa Ave Apt K for sale for $495,000

8. Tampa, FL

Median home list price: $419,000
EV-friendly listings without garages: 38.0%
4043 Gauge Line Loop for sale for $572,500

9. San Deigo, CA

Median home list price: $998,000
EV-friendly listings without garages: 36.5%

10. San Francisco, CA

Median home list price: $999,000
EV-friendly listings without garages: 36.5%

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