Making EV Charging Accessible in Apartments: What Western Sydney University Found in Their Research
Background
Dr. Thomas Longden is a Senior Research Fellow at the Urban Transformations Research Centre, Western Sydney University. He holds a PhD in Environmental Economics from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and has published extensively in top international journals, including Nature Energy, Climatic Change, and Energy Policy. His work focuses on energy, technological change, and climate solutions, making him well-suited to address the complexities of integrating EV charging in apartment complexes.
Last year (2024) , Dr Longden and his team interviewed 43 experts from EV industries, local councils, and strata managents in New South Wales (NSW) to understand the challenges and opportunities of retrofitting EV chargers in apartment complexes.
They identified two major obstacles:
1. Lack of Agreement Among Apartment Owners
Many apartment owners, especially those without EVs, are reluctant to share the costs of installing chargers. Divided opinions between motivated EV drivers and sceptical owners can delay or block projects entirely.
2. Deciding on Charging Infrastructure
Choosing between personal chargers for individual apartments or shared chargers for the entire building is a significant challenge. Shared chargers often make more sense due to cost savings and simpler management of electricity loads, but they require careful planning and agreement.
Additional concerns included fire risks, insurance costs, and the limited availability of skilled professionals to install and manage EV charging systems.
Solutions to Enable EV Charging in Apartments
Dr Longden’s research outlined four key recommendations to make EV charging in apartments easier for residents and businesses:
1. Showcase Successful Projects
Businesses and apartment managers can share examples of apartment complexes that have successfully installed EV chargers. Case studies and educational materials can help dispel fears and show how challenges were addressed.
2. Improve Awareness of Fire Safety
Clear guidance on fire safety for EV chargers can reassure apartment owners and insurers. Businesses can work with governments to provide educational campaigns to debunk myths about EV fire risks and streamline planning approvals.
3. Expand Financial Support
Governments like NSW have introduced grants, such as the EV Ready Buildings Grant, to support installing EV chargers in apartments. Expanding these programs and introducing similar initiatives in other states would significantly help. Businesses could also explore offering co-financing solutions or collaborating with governments to access grants.
4. Explore Flexible Finance Options
Apartment owners are more likely to agree to installations if financing is affordable. Governments and businesses should explore options like zero- or low-interest loans, subsidies, or payment plans. Special support for low-income residents can ensure equitable access to EV charging.
Why This Matters to EV Owners Who Live in Apartments
For EV owners, access to convenient home charging is essential for everyday use and long-term adoption of sustainable transport. For apartments, offering EV charging is becoming a critical amenity to attract and retain tenants or buyers as EV sales grow.
With passenger cars contributing over 10% of Australia’s emissions, enabling EV adoption through home charging in apartments is vital for climate action. By addressing these challenges together, EV owners, businesses, and governments can pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future.
Ready to install EV chargers in your apartment building? Start by reviewing available grants, consulting experts, and educating stakeholders on the benefits of EV charging infrastructure.
