Epic Charging Delivers One of the Nation’s Largest Multifamily EV Charger Retrofits at Chicago Condo Tower
Epic Charging, one of America’s fastest-growing electric vehicle (EV) charging software providers, has completed a milestone project that positions a major downtown Chicago condominium building at the forefront of sustainable urban living. In what is believed to be one of the largest residential EV charging installations in the United States, the company migrated 148 smart charging stations at the 600 North Lake Shore Drive Condominium—a 401-unit luxury property—onto its advanced charge point management system (CPMS).
The large-scale migration was prompted by the abrupt exit of Enel X Way from the U.S. market, which left many multifamily buildings scrambling for a reliable and scalable charging solution. Epic Charging stepped in with a fully integrated platform, engineering expertise, and hands-on support that not only preserved the building’s EV infrastructure but enhanced it for long-term growth.
From Market Disruption to Technological Upgrade
When Enel X Way ceased its U.S. operations, buildings with its hardware and network infrastructure faced a serious dilemma: how to maintain functionality for existing EV chargers without forcing residents to start from scratch. At 600 North Lake Shore Drive, over 25% of residents had already installed chargers in their assigned parking spaces—a clear sign of strong adoption in an urban high-rise setting.
According to Sunil Mehra, Board President of the 600 LSD Condominium Association, the building’s leadership explored multiple alternatives before selecting Epic Charging.
After exploring all the options, we concluded that Epic Charging was the only company offering the fully integrated smart solution we wanted,” said Mehra. “Epic was responsive to our needs. Its turnkey software and support services made configuring and operating 148 individual EV chargers in a multi-story parking garage seamless and hassle-free. And with the capacity to install many more, this project cements 600 LSD as a cutting-edge high-rise residence in downtown Chicago.”
Mehra added that the project also reflects the building’s environmental values. “Our residents are environmentally responsible, but they also recognize the advantages and convenience of EVs, especially in a city setting. It’s no surprise there was strong demand for chargers.
Supporting Illinois’ EV Goals
Illinois has set an ambitious target: 1 million registered electric vehicles in the state by 2030. Large-scale residential projects like the 600 LSD retrofit demonstrate how private communities can play an important role in achieving such statewide sustainability goals. By enabling dozens of residents to charge their EVs at home—often overnight during off-peak hours—the building helps reduce public charging demand while encouraging broader EV adoption.
Complex Engineering, Seamless Integration
Epic Charging’s intervention was not simply a software swap. The project required detailed technical work to ensure a smooth migration from the discontinued Enel X network to Epic’s open, OCPP-compliant platform.
Chief Technology Officer Michael Fridshtand personally traveled to the property to work alongside the building’s IT staff. The integration required custom engineering, particularly to enable RFID authentication on the existing Enel X chargers. This capability was crucial to maintaining user convenience and security without forcing costly hardware replacements.
The building’s charging network now operates seamlessly across both legacy Enel X hardware and newly added Autel chargers, unified under Epic’s CPMS.
Energy Efficiency and Grid Cooperation
In addition to improving charging access, Epic partnered with local utility ComEd to enroll 600 LSD in its Voluntary Load Reduction Program (VLR). The program compensates participating sites—at a rate of at least $0.25 per curtailed kWh—for temporarily reducing energy usage during peak grid demand.
This arrangement provides a win-win: residents can still meet their charging needs, while the building actively supports regional grid stability. Such programs are expected to grow in importance as EV adoption accelerates, increasing overall electricity demand.
Economic Value of EV Infrastructure
The benefits of EV charging in multifamily properties extend beyond environmental impact. According to a 2025 analysis by the Urban Land Institute cited by CBRE, installing EV chargers can boost property values by up to 15%.
For the 600 LSD Condominium Association, partnering with Epic not only ensured uninterrupted charging service but also gave the property advanced energy analytics and load management tools. These capabilities help reduce electricity costs, manage peak load, and plan for future charger expansion without overburdening infrastructure.
Resident Experience: Unified and User-Friendly
Residents now have a modern, consistent charging experience regardless of which charger model they use. Through the Epic mobile app and RFID access cards, they can:
- Start and stop charging sessions
- Schedule charging during off-peak hours to save on electricity costs
- Monitor real-time charging status
- Pay directly within the platform
- Review historical usage and cost data
The system also features load-limiting controls, which automatically balance available power across all active chargers—avoiding circuit overloads while allowing the addition of more charging stations in the future.
Epic’s Broader Vision for Multifamily Charging
Michael Bakunin, Epic’s Co-Founder and CEO, emphasized the significance of the Chicago project for the company’s growth strategy.
“Multifamily units account for about 31% of housing in the US, and with most charging happening at home, it’s critical for multifamily property owners to begin deploying EV charging infrastructure,” Bakunin said. “Successfully migrating 148 chargers at a sizable condo building in downtown Chicago further cements our leadership in the multifamily market—which is the fastest-growing segment in the US for Level 2 charging—by demonstrating our ability to deliver scalable, grid-friendly solutions for large residential communities.”
Epic Charging’s focus on the multifamily segment addresses a key bottleneck in EV adoption. While single-family homeowners can typically install chargers in their garages, condo and apartment residents often face obstacles such as shared electrical infrastructure, limited parking access, and HOA or landlord approval processes. Epic’s integrated platform, combined with technical expertise and utility partnerships, helps overcome these barriers.
A Model for Other Communities
The 600 LSD retrofit is already drawing attention from other property managers and homeowner associations in Chicago and beyond. It serves as a case study in how multifamily properties can:
- Respond quickly to market disruptions — replacing discontinued charging networks without major hardware overhauls.
- Enhance resident amenities — offering convenient, at-home charging to meet growing EV demand.
- Participate in grid-friendly programs — contributing to regional energy stability while earning incentives.
- Increase property value — leveraging EV infrastructure as a competitive advantage in the housing market.
