Before investing in EV charging infrastructure, it’s important to assess the property’s readiness for EV charging. This may involve evaluating the electrical system to ensure that it can support charging stations, assessing the parking situation to determine the best location for charging stations, and reviewing the strata bylaws to determine whether they need to be updated to allow for charging stations.

It’s important to engage with residents early in the process to determine the level of interest in EV ownership and EV charging infrastructure. This can help determine the scale and type of charging infrastructure needed and can help ensure that the cost of installation is shared fairly among all residents.

Consider the following survey that can be emailed out to all owners for their feedback:

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To all owners’ and residents’ SP [insert number]

Subject: Electric vehicles charging – resident survey

Introduction

There is a global shift away from petrol and diesel cars to electric vehicles (EVs). It really is a not a question of if, but when, we will need to provide EV charging in our building.

The changes to the Strata Titles Act now allow for sustainability infrastructure upgrades, which are going to make it simpler for us to start down this path.

To help prepare our building for the future, we are seeking to understand what you – our owners and residents – are thinking in terms of EV purchasing intent and what you want by way of EV charging in our building.  Based on your input, the committee will provide a proposal at the next general meeting for your consideration.

A few things to note:

• The survey will only take around 2 minutes to complete.
• Completion of this survey is voluntary, but we’d really appreciate your assistance.
• You will not be identified in any reports or papers using information from this survey without your written permission.
• All information collected will be kept strictly confidential and stored securely. Any use of the data will be subject to standard data use policies which protect your privacy.

By participating in this survey, you confirm that you have understood this information and agree to take part in the survey.

Please return this form via email to [insert name], [insert position] by [insert date]. 

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.

Survey

Are you considering buying an EV (select one):

☐ In the next year                                                                                         

☐ In the next 2-3 years                                                                                  

☐ After 4 years                                                                                              

☐ Not in consideration                                                                                  

What do you consider the barriers to buying an EV? (select all that apply)

☐ Range concerns/battery life while driving                                                   

☐ Lack of charging infrastructure in this building                                            

☐ Lack of other local public charging infrastructure

☐ Price of EVs

☐ Lack of models

☐ Other (please specify): Click or tap here to enter text.

If you had an EV, where would be your preferred location for charging (select one)?

☐ Shared EV charging station on common property (this may mean loss of a visitor car space or other common property for installation)            

☐ Charge in my own car space                                                                       

☐ Charge elsewhere (public charging)                                                                     

Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) for those with or considering purchasing an EV:

• Does your vehicle or intended vehicle come with EVSE? Choose an item.
• Are you willing to pay for EVSE? Choose an item.
• Do you think the Owners Corporation should pay for EVSE? Choose an item.

Building EV charging infrastructure is the electrical connection from the buildings’ main distribution board supply to a sub-board, distribution box, or any other device installed to charge EVs:

• Do you think the owners’ corporation should pay for EV charging infrastructure?
• Are you willing to pay a contribution to pay for this infrastructure? 

Do you have any other comments or suggestions about the potential installation of EV charging: 

There are many things to consider when developing your EV policy for your Strata Company. Further down this page we have included all the things you may need to consider.

The following guide from the NSW Government may help you navigate the options available to your Strata Company and what approach may suit your building.

EV Ready Buildings – NSW Government

Please note, the above guide has been published by the NSW Government which operates under a different Strata Titles act. Any references to Strata Legislation may not be relevant. 

Often a debate arises within Strata Companies regarding the cost associated with EV Charging – whether that is electricity usage or installation costs when only a select number of residents have Electric Vehicles and others rely on paying for their own petrol to operate their vehicles.

There are two types of cases that the Strata Company may want to recover as part of this process:

1. usage cost (kWh) for electricity consumed
2. cost of building infrastructure

Each has its own set of financial options. Any option must be agreed between the owners corporation and owners, via a sustainability infrastructure resolution and be clearly stated in the EV charging by-law.

Here are a few options:

Usage cost (kWh) for electricity consumed

• No usage fee
  • where measurement is not possible
  • not worth the cost of administering billing
  • owners decide to absorb the cost
• Flat fee
  • estimated flat fee per day or week because measurement is difficult
  • easier than providing metered readings
  • suitable for common property power sources
• Metered rate
  • meters are provided and calculate usage charge based on kWh rate
  • where EV charging equipment is connected to individual apartment meters, increased usage charges are just included in billing
• Outsourced solutions
  • Some EV operators charge an ongoing subscription that manage usage fees

Cost of building infrastructure

• No cost recovery
  • Strata Company takes on entire cost as it may increase the value of the building
• Full cost to owner
  • No cost to Strata Company and owner(s) pay for all works
• Cost recovery
  • Strata Company takes on entire cost up front but recovers cost over time from owners as they use the facilities

Depending on the option you have chosen as part of your EV policy (eg individualised or building-wide infrastructure), implementation can now begin. You can choose to engage an independent EV charging consultant to provide advice on partnering with suppliers for the project and arranging quotes.

If you need to arrange a general resolution from the Strata Company you may need to wait until the next annual general meeting.