Project Overview

Bleu Ciel Condominiums, a premier high-rise in Dallas, Texas, faced significant challenges in enhancing its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to meet growing demand. Humm Energy, a local EV charging provider, delivered a cost-effective solution that addressed these issues without requiring upfront investment or ongoing operational costs. Through Humm's innovative approach, Bleu Ciel doubled its charging stations and upgraded to faster chargers—all without any cost to the Homeowners Association (HOA).

The Challenge:

Bleu Ciel, home to 158 residences, initially had just 4 ChargePoint brand charging stations installed in common-area parking spaces by the developer. While functional, these stations were limited to 32-amp chargers, providing slower charging speeds. The HOA and many residents wanted more stations with faster charging capabilities.

Upgrading the charging infrastructure presented several challenges:

• A significant capital investment for electrical system upgrades, new equipment, and installation.

• The need for Wi-Fi connectivity to create a smart charging network.

• Ongoing operational expenses for maintenance, metering, and billing.

Humm’s Innovative Solution:

Humm Energy’s solution eliminated the common barriers faced by multi-family communities like Bleu Ciel—namely high upfront costs and ongoing system management expenses. Instead of selling equipment, Humm operates on a usage-based revenue model, charging EV drivers based on their usage of the charging stations.

For Bleu Ciel, Humm delivered the following improvements:

• Electrical Infrastructure Upgrades: Humm handled all necessary electrical work, including the installation of a new transformer and panel board, to support the expanded system.

• 8 Charging Stations, Expandable to 12 Stations: The existing 4 slow chargers were replaced with 8 Level 2 (48-amp) stations, with the system designed to support an additional 4 stations for future needs.

• Faster Charging Speeds: The new stations provide charging speeds that are 50% faster than the previous 32-amp chargers, significantly reducing wait times for residents.

• Smart Charging Network: All stations were connected via Wi-Fi to Humm’s proprietary software, enabling remote monitoring, load-sharing, access control, usage metering, and customer billing.

No Cost to the HOA:

The entire EV charging system, including installation, monitoring, and maintenance, was provided at no cost to the Bleu Ciel HOA. Instead, Humm financed the system's deployment and generates revenue through modest subscription and usage fees—typically lower than the cost of using a Tesla Supercharger.