CBRE: Why is EV Charging a Key Factor in US Office Choices?

Sustainability is now a major consideration for US companies selecting office space, with EV charging stations among the most influential features.

CBRE’s 2025 Americas Office Occupier Sentiment Survey reveals that both charging infrastructure and the environmental credentials of a building are playing a growing role in leasing negotiations.

CBRE Chief Sustainability Officer Robert Bernard says: “Companies are willing to pay more for buildings that align with their environmental goals and support employee wellbeing.”

Sustainability shapes lease talks

Writing on LinkedIn, Robert says: “CBRE’s 2025 Americas Office Occupier Sentiment Survey shows sustainability becoming a real factor in office leasing decisions.”

The survey highlights:

• 43% of companies say sustainable building features influence rent negotiations

• 40% consider EV charging stations during lease talks

• 37% view indoor air quality as a key amenity

Robert adds: “While these features aren't typically dealbreakers, they're clearly becoming differentiators.

"This reinforces what we're seeing across the market: sustainability and business strategy are increasingly intertwined and can provide immense value.

"As hybrid work continues to evolve, organisations want spaces that reflect their values while attracting talent.”

Survey data shows that 26% of occupiers would reject a site outright if it lacked sustainable building features and operations, with 43% saying this would impact negotiations and 31% saying it would have no effect.

In the case of EV charging, 14% of potential tenants, around one in seven, would walk away from a deal if no chargers were provided.

Location, access and amenities still matter most

While EV infrastructure and sustainability gain traction, connectivity and convenience remain the strongest factors influencing leasing decisions.

The CBRE survey finds that more than half of respondents would reject a building without access to public transport (53%) or without parking (52%).

These are the most cited non-negotiable requirements.

Around 40% would reject an office without food and beverage options, indicating the importance of on-site amenities that support daily routines and limit travel during the workday.

CBRE says: “Other amenities are less polarising. While their absence typically wouldn’t be a dealbreaker, they can influence rent negotiations.

"Amenities that enhance the employee experience are among the top features that impact negotiated rent.

"Outdoor amenities or terraces (44%), building amenity spaces (42%) and fitness facilities (32%) are the most frequently cited experience-related features that shape rent discussions.”

What did the survey find?

The report lists five takeaways from its research:

1 – Incremental Attendance Gains
Around 72% of organisations now meet attendance targets, up from 61% in 2024, as the gap between employer expectations and employee behaviour narrows.

2 – Measurement and Enforcement Grows
The survey found that 85% communicate an attendance policy; 69% measure compliance compared with 45% in 2024. Enforcement is reported by 37%, up from 17% in 2024.

3 – Inconsistent Attendance Challenges Culture
The survey states that 73% say offices reach capacity on peak days, yet only 34% report average daily capacity. Non-peak days lack vibrancy.

4 – Adapting Workplace Strategies
Assigned seating is becoming less common, particularly in large firms. Just 25% use it today, down from 40% in 2024 and 56% in 2023.

5 – Expansion Plans Remain Intact
Roughly 67% expect to maintain or grow their office footprint over the next three years.

CBRE’s recommendations for occupiers and investors

CBRE advises that efforts to boost office attendance should be “anchored to a strong change management strategy”.

It says policies and mandates can raise attendance but are most effective when tailored to different roles.

For occupiers, the recommendation is to address hybrid work challenges directly and be open to “pushing the current boundaries” of space sharing.

For investors, CBRE suggests understanding tenants’ space-sharing patterns to plan for future demand and anticipate operational impacts.

The report adds: “Focus investments on controllable, high-impact amenities, like food and beverage options, sustainable features, shared meeting areas and outdoor spaces, that influence lease decisions and rent negotiations.”