Switzerland’s upper house of parliament, the Council of States, has approved a motion mandating legal guarantees for tenants to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in residential buildings, marking a significant step toward broadening access to sustainable mobility infrastructure.
The motion, initiated by National Councillor Jürg Grossen (Green Liberal Party, Bern), passed despite some opposition, and now compels the Swiss Federal Council to prepare a legislative amendment or ordinance securing tenants’ rights to install slow (AC) charging stations. The measure aims to remove a key barrier to EV adoption in a country where over three-quarters of residents live in rented or multi-unit housing.
“For electromobility to function in everyday life, simple and accessible charging options are crucial,” said Flavia Wasserfallen (Social Democratic Party, Bern) during the debate. Thierry Burkart (FDP, Aargau) added that the widespread adoption of combustion engine vehicles was only possible because of a reliable network of petrol stations, arguing the same principle must apply to electric vehicles.
The move comes after more than a decade of advocacy by the Swiss eMobility Association, which has pushed for a national “right to charge” amid slow uptake of EV infrastructure in residential areas. “Switzerland has the highest share of tenants in Europe, yet lags behind in electrification,” said Krispin Romang, the group’s director. “Without access to home charging, the transition to EVs remains out of reach for the majority.”
Opponents of the measure, primarily from the Centre Party and segments of the Energy and Spatial Planning Committee, raised concerns about government overreach and infringement on private property rights. They argued that infrastructure deployment should be left to market dynamics. Nonetheless, the motion passed with support from a majority of lawmakers in both parliamentary chambers.
The Council of States’ approval now requires the Federal Council to determine which department will lead the legislative drafting. While no timeline has been confirmed, Swiss eMobility plans to accompany the process closely. “It will certainly be a while before the law definitely comes into force,” Romang noted.
Currently, Swiss federal funding for EV charging is limited. A proposed CHF 30 million annual subsidy for infrastructure, included in earlier climate legislation, was rejected by Parliament. Advocates hope the current decision will reignite political momentum for financial support alongside the legal changes.
By enshrining a tenant’s right to install private charging infrastructure, Switzerland joins a growing list of countries taking legislative action to ensure equitable access to e-mobility. While implementation will take time, the approval represents a political milestone in overcoming one of the structural bottlenecks impeding the country’s EV transition.