This article is about the challenges of EV charging stations in strata high rise and apartment buildings.
Strata Community Association (SCA) released a comprehensive analysis of the specific issues that the mass integration of EVs into strata buildings will create throughout Australia and New Zealand.
With approximately 6 million strata residents across Australia and NZ, and electric vehicle sales expected to leap an estimated 35% in 2023, SCA has identified a critical need to investigate the significant and unique challenges faced when attempting to integrate EVs into strata.
The report, titled Electric Vehicles in Strata – Phase 2: Challenges builds on SCA’s Phase 1 Report released in December last year, and functions as a tool to guide the formation of effective policies, guidelines and best practices that promote the integration of EVs and their supporting infrastructure.
SCA National Vice-President and Chair of the SCA EV Taskforce Josh Baldwin said the report sets a strong foundation for proactive discussions and policy development for the industry.
“The challenges explored in the report highlight the urgent need for comprehensive support for EV planning and infrastructure development in strata buildings,” he said.
“By equipping our strata communities with efficient and accessible EV infrastructure, we can further encourage EV adoption, and position the strata industry as a leader in sustainable development.”
SCA National President Chris Duggan said that to overcome the extensive barriers outlined in the report, collaboration is critical among strata stakeholders, government bodies and industry experts.
“We call upon all parties to join together and explore innovative solutions that will pave the way for a pragmatic approach and more sustainable future for strata communities everywhere,” said Mr Duggan.
“By harnessing the collective efforts of owners, residents, industry professionals and policymakers, we can take full advantage of the unique benefits that strata living presents.”
“Together, we can awaken a sleeping giant and unlock the unlimited potential of strata, to create thriving, sustainable communities, and set a global standard for environmentally conscious living.”
Full report here: Electric Vehicles in Strata
Key Report Takeaways
- In most jurisdictions in Australia, and in New Zealand, the threshold for voting within a strata committee to install EV infrastructure is a majority vote, or 50%.
- Almost all older buildings in Australia and NZ have not been built with the level of electrical infrastructure sufficient to support the additional load that EV charging creates.
- The National Construction Code requires that new buildings are created to be EV ready from 1 October 2022, with a full program of integration commencing on 1 May 2023.
- Almost half of apartments are rented, meaning a balance must be struck between consumer demand and owner commitments to EV infrastructure, with government and supplier incentives and funding playing a part.
- Emissions reductions and net zero commitments will not be possible without the integration of the one in five Australian residents who live in strata complexes.
Facts and statistics about EVs and Strata
- Australia’s total EVs almost doubled in 2022, growing from 44,000 to more than 83,000.
- Global electric vehicles sales are expected to grow by 35% in 2023.
- EVs are estimated to account for 49 per cent of total vehicle sales in Australia by 2030, and 100 per cent by 2040.
- 1 in 5 Australians are estimated to be living in strata-titled properties such as apartments and townhouses.
This post appears in Strata News #649.
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Read next:
- NSW: Q&A Installing Private Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations
- QLD: Q&A EV Charging in your high rise. What do you need to know?
Visit our FactSheet: Apartment Living Sustainability OR Strata Legislation QLD.
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How about fire safety measures when retrofitting existing buildings with EV charging to protect residents?
Lithium fires are not ordinary fires like that from petrol vehicles. They are more toxic to people and hard to extinguished.
There was a write up that under building code, it is under hazmat category or something?