Moon Five Wins Award for Renter EV Charging

Moon Five received the 2026 Scale Catalyst Award in Berkeley, California, on September 23, 2026. The Electric Innovation Initiative granted the prize for the company’s new charging solution. It targets the specific needs of apartment dwellers who lack private garages.

Most EV charging infrastructure assumes single-family homeowners. Millions of renters still rely on public stations or wait for slow building-wide upgrades. Moon Five’s system changes this by letting tenants drive the process. Tenants can demonstrate demand and pre-qualify their building without external help.

Modular hardware avoids costly upgrades

The system uses modular hardware that is easy to repair or replace. This design extends the life of each charger and reduces waste. It also simplifies maintenance for property managers and electricians. The goal is to make EV ownership practical for more people.

A proprietary energy management system monitors power use within the building. It directs available capacity to the vehicle as needed. This apartment-level load balancing optimizes energy use. It makes better use of existing electrical capacity. No costly building upgrades are required.

Low monthly cost for tenants

Tenants pay $50 per month plus the cost of electricity used. There are no setup fees or ongoing maintenance fees. This structure removes financial barriers for renters. It also eliminates upfront capital investment for property owners. The model makes charging more affordable and accessible.

Grant funds Bay Area deployment

Moon Five is deploying more than 400 charging units. These are located in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. The project is funded by a $3.4 million California Energy Commission REACH 3.0 grant. More than 90% of the deployment serves low-income communities. This group has historically been excluded from clean energy benefits.