ActewAGL evHub | Charging an EV while living in an apartment

With more high-density dwellings in the Capital than the rest of Australia, you may be wondering if you can own an EV while living in an apartment. Fortunately, living in an apartment doesn’t mean you can’t embrace the electric vehicle revolution.

Charging an EV while residing in an apartment can be more complex, but with the right approach, it’s entirely feasible. Here, we explore practical solutions to make EV charging a seamless part of apartment living, from public places to charge to how to get a charger connected in your building.

How can I find a place to charge my EV without having one at my apartment complex?

Australia’s public EV charging network is growing rapidly, and you’ll have no trouble finding a public charging station to power up. According to PlugShare, there are currently 390 charging locations across Australia and around 5,000 individual charging plugs, according to the Electric Vehicle Council. In the ACT, ActewAGL, in partnership with Evie Networks, is massively scaling up EV charging infrastructure.

To help you find what charging stations are nearest to you, use apps like PlugShare and Evie Networks. These apps provide real-time information about charging station locations and availability. Use the app’s filters and search functions to determine the best charging stations based on your criteria. You can filter by charging speed, price, network, availability and station type.

What kinds of public places have EV charging stations?

In the ACT and nationwide, you’ll find charging stations in public car parks, shopping centres, and dining, recreation and entertainment precincts. It’s helpful to plan your trips strategically to include stops at these locations to charge your EV while out and about running errands.

Charging station types will range from Type 2 standard 22kW – 50kW speeds up to ultra-fast 100kW – 250kW speeds. Some stations will have a charging fee, while others may offer free charging – for instance, if you dine at the establishment or stay at the hotel.

If you’re a commuter, it’s worth checking if your workplace provides EV charging facilities. If available, you can conveniently charge your EV while at work. If not, consider consulting your employer about installing a charging station, especially as demand is growing.

When you have a long journey to undertake, plan your routes to include rapid-charging stations available along the way.

How would I go about getting an EV charger installed at my apartment complex?

Without having a garage or private off-road space, you’ll need to know what your building’s parking options are. Do you have your own allocated bay? Or is it first come, first serve with other residents? Have a chat with your apartment’s property management or owners’ corporation and your desire to install an EV charging station and enquire about any existing policies or guidelines regarding such installations.

Strata rules govern many aspects of apartment living, including modifications to common property. So, familiarise yourself with the strata bylaws and determine whether any restrictions or permissions are outlined for EV charging installations.

You may be granted permission to install a charger yourself, or the strata manager may decide to fund the cost themselves through a solution like ActewAGL’s evCharging for apartments option.

Fortunately, amendments have been made to the National Construction Code so that all new Australian apartments built from October 2023 must be constructed with the capability to charge electric vehicles.

Summary

Use apps like PlugShare and Evie Networks to find nearby charging stations, providing real-time information about locations and availability.
Charging stations are commonly found in public car parks, shopping centres, dining, recreation and entertainment precincts.
Charging station types range from Type 2 standard 22kW – 50kW speeds to ultra-fast 100kW – 250kW speeds.
Check if your workplace provides EV charging facilities, and plan routes for long journeys to include rapid-charging stations.
To install an EV charger in your apartment complex, check parking options, discuss with property management or owners’ corporation and review strata bylaws.

Are you considering making the switch to an electric vehicle? ActewAGL can help you effortlessly find, finance and charge your EV. Discover how ActewAGL can support your transition to sustainable driving today. Find out more here.