Pando Electric has introduced its Gen2 Smart Outlet, a new electric vehicle (EV) charging platform designed for multifamily housing. The system aims to remove common barriers to EV adoption in apartment complexes by operating offline, requiring no costly electrical upgrades, and reducing installation costs by up to 70% compared with traditional EV chargers.
“Multifamily buildings have been stuck with EV solutions designed for shopping malls and restaurants,” said Aaron Li, CEO of Pando Electric. “Gen2 changes that. No WiFi. No upgrades. No maintenance. We designed Gen2 to be the first charger that works with the building and its residents, not against them.” The system allows residents to start charging sessions via phone, smartwatch, or key fob without relying on cellular connectivity.
The Gen2 Smart Outlet uses adaptive load management to allocate power dynamically across multiple outlets, enabling property managers to install more stations without expanding building electrical capacity. Modular hardware also allows cables to be replaced in seconds, minimizing downtime and maintenance needs. The platform supports usage tracking, billing automation, and efficient energy allocation, offering multifamily properties a low-cost, scalable solution for EV charging.
Pando Electric has secured funding, including a $5.4 million grant from the California Energy Commission, to deploy more than 1,600 outlets in California, particularly targeting underserved communities. The company positions the Gen2 as a potential building-level energy management tool that could contribute to grid stability and virtual power plant initiatives.