EV charging in strata buildings

EV charging in strata buildings

Installing electric vehicle charging in an apartment or strata building can involve shared infrastructure, common property and decisions by the owners corporation (OC).

Every building is different. Before deciding whether to install EV charging, OCs should consider:

• the building's electrical capacity
• parking arrangements
• current and future demand
• financial position; and
• the needs of lot owners.

EV-ready guide for owners corporations

We're helping OC committees make informed, fair and lawful decisions about EV charging.

The EV-ready guide for owners corporations provides guidance for developing an EV strategy. The guide helps OCs to develop a strategy suited to the building and its circumstances.

What the guide covers:

• developing an EV strategy and identifying an appropriate pathway for the building
• assessing electrical capacity, infrastructure constraints and load-management options
• comparing Level 1 and Level 2 charging approaches
• fair division of infrastructure, electricity and ongoing costs
• identification of approvals required for the proposed works and funding model
• managing electrical safety, insurance and compliance considerations
• assessing suppliers, contracts, billing systems and long-term service arrangements
• communicating, engaging and coordinating with lot owners to help bring them along the EV journey
• designing effective EV charging surveys for strata; and
• learnings from other OCs.

Download the EV-ready guide for owners corporations

Start with an EV strategy

An EV strategy is the OC’s agreed approach to assessing and managing EV charging. It helps the OC to compare options, plan for future demand and make consistent decisions.

Developing a strategy does not mean the OC must install charging infrastructure immediately. Depending on the building's circumstances, the appropriate decision may be to:

• proceed with a building-wide project
• stage the works
• support a proportionate interim solution; or
• defer investment until circumstances change.

The EV strategy brings together 3 interconnected frameworks to help the OC identify and adopt an appropriate pathway.

Technical: which charging options are technically viable and can safely and practically meet lot owners’ needs, taking account of the building’s existing infrastructure and any upgrades that may be required.

Commercial: how the preferred option will be funded, owned and managed, how costs will be allocated fairly under the benefit principle, and how electricity and ongoing costs will be recovered.

Legal: how the preferred option affects common property and the OC’s powers and responsibilities, including the approvals and level of OC resolution required to proceed.

These frameworks should be considered together, not in isolation. For example, a technically viable option may require infrastructure upgrades that are not commercially proportionate or cannot be approved through the proposed pathway. Alternatively, the OC may decide that a larger upgrade is justified where it provides better long-term value and has an appropriate funding and approval pathway.

Before starting

OCs should seek advice from a qualified practitioner before installing EV charging infrastructure.

The EV-ready guide for owners corporations supports OC decision-making. It does not replace professional advice relevant to the building and its circumstances.

Page last updated: 04/08/26