EV Charger Wi-Fi: Common Issues & Solutions for EV Charging in Underground Car Parks

As electric vehicle (EV) adoption continues to grow, many condo buildings and commercial properties are looking to install EV chargers in underground car parks. However, one challenge often comes up: limited or non-existent Wi-Fi, cell service, or data connection. Reliable EV charger Wi-Fi plays a critical role in EV charging in underground car parks, and without a stable connection, property managers and EV drivers can run into serious issues.

This raises concerns about whether EV chargers can function properly without reliable connectivity. However, solutions exist to ensure uninterrupted charging access, even in environments where network connectivity is a challenge.

Common Connectivity Issues in Underground Car Parks

An underground EV charger comes with unique challenges for wireless communication. Thick concrete walls, metal reinforcements, and interference from nearby equipment can block both cellular and Wi-Fi signals. This is especially problematic for chargers that rely on cellular connections or need to tap into a building’s existing Wi-Fi network.

If those networks can’t reliably reach the car park, the chargers lose their connection, leaving key features unavailable.

Why Connectivity Matters for EV Charging in Underground Car Parks

An EV charger with Wi-Fi plays a critical role in EV charging in underground car parks. Most EV chargers rely heavily on network connectivity for several important functions:

• Monitoring and Reporting: Both residents and property managers benefit from real-time insights into energy usage and charging session data.
• Software Updates: Just like your phone, EV chargers require occasional software updates to improve performance, add new features, and ensure cybersecurity.
• Remote Troubleshooting: When a charger experiences an issue, remote diagnostics can often resolve the problem quickly without requiring an on-site technician.
• Automated Billing: In condo buildings, property managers often need to track usage and automatically bill individual residents for their charging sessions.
• Load Balancing: A feature that lets property managers optimize energy use across multiple EV chargers and to prevent overloading in the electrical system. Learn more about an EV power management device.

For condo residents and commercial visitors, being able to check their charging status from their phone depends on reliable EV charging station Wi-Fi. For property managers, having access to real-time usage data and being able to optimize energy use is essential. Without reliable connectivity, both residents and property managers can be left in the dark, making EV charging in underground car parks less efficient.

Learn more about these key functions and the importance of an EV charging software.

Installing a Dedicated EV Charger Wi-Fi Network

One effective way to solve this problem is by installing a dedicated Wi-Fi network specifically designed for EV charging in underground car parks. This ensures that chargers always have a reliable connection, regardless of cellular reception in the area. A dedicated EV charger Wi-Fi network can offer several benefits:

• Reliable Connection: Ensures chargers remain online for updates, monitoring, and troubleshooting.
• Secure and Isolated: Keeps the charging network separate from the building's main Wi-Fi network, enhancing security.
• Resident & Visitor Access: Residents can easily connect their phones to the EV charger Wi-Fi to monitor their charging sessions.
• Property Manager Access: Managers can access real-time energy usage data, control access to chargers, and manage billing through an EV charging software.

Security and Resident Access Benefits 

Setting up a dedicated network also provides added security and control. By keeping the EV charging network separate from other building systems, property managers reduce the risk of interference or unauthorized access. Residents benefit as well, since they can connect directly to the charger’s network if needed, ensuring they can monitor and manage their sessions without technical frustrations.

metroEV’s solution to provide reliable EV charger Wi-Fi

At metroEV, we understand the unique challenges of underground EV charging networks. That’s why we offer the option to install a dedicated EV charger Wi-Fi in your building that provides secure and reliable Wi-Fi connectivity for both residents and property managers.

As part of our Wi-Fi installations, we set up three secured, dedicated networks: a guest network, an EV charging network, and an EV car network. This structure allows us to maintain secure access for our clients while ensuring the system stays online for software updates, remote and immediate support, and real-time monitoring.

metroEV Wi-Fi network router in a condo underground car park.

Even with our advanced EV charger Wi-Fi solutions, we also guarantee that EV drivers are never left stranded if the Wi-Fi system goes down. metroEV chargers are designed to function without an active internet connection because we preset the system to manage power based on system capabilities. This ensures that charging continues without interruption, even if the network experiences downtime. Once the connection is restored, all relevant data is automatically uploaded to the cloud for reporting and analytics.