Funding announced to retrofit apartments with EV chargers

The new funding announcement comes as part of the NSW state government’s 2023-2024 budget, out of a total $263 million in new funding to roll out EV charging across the state.

According to the 2021 census, a little more than 20 per cent of NSW residents live in flats or apartments – a total of 630,000 people.

NSW is aiming for 50 per cent new car sales to be electric by 2030. But for apartment dwellers, considering the switch to an EV is made difficult by the fact that installing EV chargers in older strata buildings can be complicated and expensive.

In some cases, new EV owners have ended up selling their EVs after building management refused to allow access to power points in carparks.

Others end up using public chargers, adding charging costs and valuable hours to working days because of the inability to charge in the building carpark while the car is parked.

To ensure that new apartment buildings are ready for EVs, a new National Construction Code mandates adequate electrical architecture for EV chargers.

But there is a different challenge for existing apartment buildings.

A May 2023 report by the Strata Community Association identified hurdles to be faced by strata managers of existing complexes: from navigating governance plus technical, fire and safety implications to deciding who pays for new infrastructure.

It also noted that strata complexes that are not able to adapt to the electric vehicle transition may experience drops in value, affecting property outcomes for residents.

Making apartments EV-ready

Dubbed the “EV Ready Buildings” program, the new NSW government scheme aims to help address the issue of installation and software costs.

It will see electrical infrastructure installed in a minimum of 100 apartment blocks, by co-funding up to 80% of each upgrade to a maximum of $80,000.

Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said in a statement that the co-funding will help to ensure no-one is left behind in the transition to electric vehicles.

“In a national first, New South Wales is co-funding EV infrastructure upgrades in apartment buildings, to make EV ownership attractive for more people,” she said.

“More than 90% of EV drivers charge their vehicle at home, and we don’t want people living in apartments to miss out.”

How the EV Ready Buildings program works

The grants will be delivered via a two-stage process, requiring a $2,000 application (ex-GST) for a feasibility assessment. If successful, the grant will cover a maximum 80 per cent of installation costs (up to $80,000 per building) plus 50% of eligibile software (up to $1200 ber building) for two years.

All buildings must be located in NSW and classed as Class 2 buildings under the national code, and have ten or more apartments.

There must be off-street parking (either private or common) that falls under the strata, and a maximum of four EV chargers may already be installed for apartments with less than 40 residences.

For buildings with more than 40 residences, chargers installed before the grant may account for no more than a maximum or 10 per cent of parking spaces.

All EV charging infrastructure installed as part of the grant must be accessible by all residents.

The NSW government also launched in 2022 a guide for strata and commercial buildings to get EV-ready.

It also includes a costing tool which allows stakeholders to estimate costs based on carpark floor plans, as well as trenching, cabling, sub-mains and circuit requirements.