EV Chargers

Typically, older buildings have insufficient incoming power. Generally, more modern complexes have power to spare. Our assessment will examine the solutions and possibilities

The short answer is: it depends on the area you live in.

More mature suburbs will struggle to provide more power to complexes. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean EV chargers are unavailable. Technology such as Open Charge Protocol Points (OCPP) and load shedding devices allow power to be distributed without overloading the building’s main supply. 90% of older buildings will be able to utilise this technology.

The Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) is an application protocol for communication between Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and a central management platform. It allows the Owners’ Committee to create a billing function and manage any load strain on the buildings power supply to avoid overload.

Understanding the demand for EV’s in your building needs to be assessed before making any decisions installing charge points. It’s equally as important to investigate the available solutions and technologies and allow for the adaptability and scaleability of infrastructure into the future as EV demand grows. This allows the building’s residents every opportunity and convenience to access EV charge points.

The size of the EV chargers is dictated by the available electrical capacity and technologies managing and monitoring the network. The most common charge points for apartment blocks are 7KW (Single Phase) which provides approximately 40KM of range per hour of charge. Larger 22KW (3 Phase) chargers provide approximately 130KM or range per hour of charge.

This is a question of consensus between the Owners;’ Corporation and shareholders. Main methods include

1. Individually Metered
Each charger is connected to the lot Owner’s meter where the electricity is added to their bill

2. Common Power Metered
All chargers are connected to the common power meter with costs either absorbed by Strata or dispersed to lot owners.

Various billing systems can be introduced on a pay per use basis.

This is a question of consensus between the Owners;’ Corporation and shareholders. Strata may choose to fund all of the works or fund only the infrastructure with each lot owner paying for their own charger install. We advise on the most economical solutions for your complex during the Design Phase.

This depends on who pays for the infrastructure and the installation where it is likely by laws will be required to address this. We advise on the most economical solutions for your complex during our Design Phase.

There are a variety of ways for costs to be recouped through OCPP billing systems. For example, Strata could decide to fund the infrastructure and its installation, recouping costs by charging lot owners to use them. We advise on the most economical solutions for your complex during our Design Phase.

The NSW Government has made a commitment to help Strata Buildings install EV Chargers. However, details of who will be eligible and when are yet to be announced.

Absolutely.

In NSW, only 0.6% of Strata Buildings utilise their roof space for solar. With a big enough roof and provided the building is positioned well, most of – if not all – power could be sourced from solar panels and battery systems.