With the rapid uptake of electric vehicles in Australia, we have been getting numerous questions about installing charging stations in high-density accommodations such as apartment blocks and units.
Installing EV charging stations in Australian apartments is common and needed for greater uptake of electric cars in Australia, although there are many things to consider before starting the process.
We have laid out this tell-all guide that covers our most common questions, such as:
- Common issues
- Typical installation costs
- The suitable model EV charger for your building
- Ongoing maintenance and much more
Can you install EV Charging stations in Australian Apartments?
Yes, we can install EV chargers into apartment blocks to meet the increasing need for electric vehicle charging.
Options to install EV chargers into apartment blocks include:
- Dedicated parking spaces.
- Shared charging stations.
- Retrofitting existing infrastructure.
- Partnering with an EV charging service provider.
Before installing electric car chargers into apartment blocks, it is essential to consider factors such as:
- The building's existing capacity and parking availability.
- Consulting professionals to ensure you adhere to regulations and safety standards.
Overall, installing EV chargers in apartments promotes EV adoption and offers residents convenient home charging solutions.
To find out more about building requirements in apartment blocks in Australia, click here.
Are all EV chargers the same?
No, not all EV chargers are the same. Electric car chargers' power output, connector types, charging speed and overall features vary.
There are three standard levels of EV charges, which include:
- Level 1
- Level 2
- DC Fast Charging
There are also various connector types, such as:
- CCS
- CHAdeMO
- DC Supercharger
Some EV chargers will not be compatible with specific electric vehicle models.
That said, nearly all chargers sold in Australia will be Type 2 and compatible with almost all vehicles.
For a more in-depth guide to the various plug types, please click here.


What EV chargers are best for apartment blocks?
The best EV chargers for apartment blocks include:
- Level 2 charging stations.
- Shared charging stations.
- Smart chargers with management capabilities.
- Collaborations with EV charging service providers such as Charge Fox.
Opting for charging systems with dynamic load management is highly recommended, particularly if, in the future, you intend to expand your EV charging network within the building.
How many EV chargers can you install in an apartment car park?
Provided the building has a load management system installed, you can install as many EV chargers as necessary.
Load management systems ensure a building's power supply limit doesn't get surpassed. The power supplied to the EV chargers is automatically limited when the residents use lots of energy. The load management process ensures the flow of electricity is efficient and safeguards the electrical infrastructure of the building.
How fast a charge will residents get using the EV charging station?
Well, that all depends on the size of your car's battery; however, a good rule of thumb is to allow 1km per KW of charge every 10 minutes.
For example, a car charging on a 22kw charger will recoup approximately 22 km of range every 10 minutes. (Please note this may vary due to car and charger variables).
Please click here for more information on EV charging duration for your car.
We also want to share this great video explaining how charging your electric vehicle works.
What are some of the challenges of installing EV Charges in apartment blocks?
Installing EV charging stations into apartments can require adjusting existing systems to handle a higher power load.
Given the expected uptake of EVs in Australia, installing the proper infrastructure to support multiple charging points is crucial for an apartment block.
Apartments require a dynamic load control that measures the building's total power consumption. An EV switchboard controls the building's total power consumption and adjusts each outlet's available power at any stage.
So, what are the critical challenges when installing an electric car charger in an apartment?
Critical challenges of installing EV charges into an Apartment Block
In many apartments, it is possible to connect directly to the switchboard. However, this does not remove the problem of potentially overloading the building or one of the apartments.
When apartments are built, each apartment gets allocated a set amount of power to service the electrical outlets in that apartment. There is often no extra allocation for large high-power appliances such as EV chargers.
In addition, it is common to find that installing a cable or circuit from an apartment to the basement car park can pose many challenges, such as;
- The length of cable needed to run.
- No space in the electrical riser
- Unable to install the cable from the electrical riser to the apartment.
There are three main problems with installing EV charging stations in apartments.
Length of cable run.
The length of the circuit determines the size of the cable required. For example, a resident on the ground floor near the basement car park may need 20 meters of cable to power their EV charger. A resident on the 15th floor may require more than 80 meters to supply power for the same charge.
The length of cable needed significantly increases costs due to the higher expenses associated with materials and labour.
Lack of room in the electrical riser.
An electrical riser is commonly found in apartments, serving as a direct pathway from the top to the bottom of the building.
The riser helps facilitate the easy installation of mains cabling, public lighting, and power to apartments and common areas during construction.
Typically, risers are designed to accommodate only the necessary cables for construction, making it difficult to find additional space for installing new cables, even for just one additional circuit.
As the popularity of EVs increases, lack of space in the electrical risers will pose significant challenges in installing EV charging circuits in apartments.
Unable to install cable or circuit to the apartment.
Installing the cable or circuit from the basement, up the electrical riser, and to the level where the apartment is situated can be problematic. Manoeuvring through existing hallways with limited access can require cutting or removing plaster. Similarly, accessing the apartment switchboard can cause similar issues.
Holes in plaster can be easily repaired or patched, although this slows down the process and results in unwanted mess and increased costs. It can become costly if this situation pertains to more than one apartment.
Other Considerations
Most apartment buildings have public lighting & power switchboards on multiple levels, including the basement car park. Having multiple switchboards across multiple levels can bring in the need for services such as:
- Requiring utility support,
- Re-sizing existing infrastructure,
- Requiring protective equipment,
- and needing to achieve selectivity for safety.
identify new power-saving measures and load management systems can also optimise power usage.
How do Electric Car Charging stations work in apartments?
Two common scenarios occur with EV charging stations in apartments:
Scenario 1: If the increased demand caused by installing the EV charging station is lower than the existing power allocation of the apartment, then integration into the current infrastructure is straightforward.
Scenario 2: If the increased demand caused by installing the EV charging station matches or exceeds the existing power allocation of the apartment, a new switchboard will be needed.
In some circumstances, an efficient energy audit can help identify new power-saving measures and load management systems can also optimise power usage.
Will electricity bills go up for the apartment block?
Introducing EV charging in apartment blocks will lead to higher electricity usage; after all, you are replacing the cost of residents visiting the petrol station.
The latest EV chargers come with built-in billing options, including tap-and-go card facilities, allowing residents to treat the charging station like refuelling their car at home and paying immediately.
How much does the installation of EV charges cost in apartment blocks?
Small-scale electric car charger installations with a single EV charger start at $2000. However, it's important to note that there may be limitations in billing capabilities, site management, and serviceability at this price point.
For installing a bank of 3 EV Chargers, the cost would start from approximately $14,000. This installation includes the load management license cost and offers detailed usage information through data reporting, enabling owners' corporations (OCs) to handle billing internally.
While you can connect the chargers to a Charging Point Operator (CPO) like Chargefox, it's important to note that there are associated fees with this option, such as roughly $200 per year per port plus a 5% transaction fee.
What sort of maintenance charges are there on EV charging stations in apartments?
There are many tricks you can do to ensure your EV chargers stay working in tip-top condition and you get maximum longevity from your EV charger. One such maintenance tip we recommend is regularly cleaning the charger to remove surface dust and debris from building up.
Our tips for cleaning your EV charger safely and not causing damage.
- Turn off the EV charger and switch off the isolator before cleaning or performing maintenance.
- Unplug the charger from the vehicle before cleaning to prevent accidental damage.
- Use a soft, non-abrasive cloth or sponge to clean the charger's exterior.
- Dilute water and a mild cleaning solution for thorough cleaning without causing damage.
- Focus on cleaning external surfaces without pushing debris into crevices.
- Thoroughly dry the charger after cleaning to prevent moisture-related damage.
EV chargers can be damaged when cleaning and maintaining the unit, so be careful not to do any of the following:
- Don't clean the charger while it's connected to the power source to avoid electrical shock.
- Avoid getting water or cleaning solution into the electrical components of the charger.
- Prevent water from entering the charging cable or electrical contacts.
- Avoid using a pressure washer on the charger to prevent water damage.
- Don't neglect regular maintenance; promptly address any signs of wear and tear issues.
- Talk to a professional if you suspect the unit may be damaged or dangerous.
Getting greater uptake of electric vehicles in Australia is critical to a greener, carbon-free future. In line with our commitment to sustainability and the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), we have partnered with renowned industry leaders such as Schneider, ABB, and Smappee.
This strategic collaboration has allowed us to leverage their expertise and extensive knowledge to ensure the accurate installation of infrastructure and charging facilities.
As a result, we can offer comprehensive turnkey solutions to our valued customers, ensuring a seamless and efficient EV charging experience.
Please click here for further information or an obligation-free assessment and quote for getting an EV charging station in your apartment.