Introduction
Strata communities are realising the importance of adapting to support sustainable living, and a significant part of this shift involves Electric Vehicles (EVs). In this two-part series, we’ll guide strata community members through the process of making strata buildings EV-ready.
New Regulations for EV Charging in Strata
As of October 2023, the National Construction Code in Australia mandates EV charging access in all newly constructed strata buildings. For new builds, this is relatively straightforward, but retrofitting existing buildings is more complex. It involves careful planning, not only for installing charging points but also for ensuring that the electrical infrastructure, power load management, and billing systems can support EVs.
Understanding EV Readiness
Being EV-ready means more than just installing EV chargers. It requires preparing your building with the right electrical and structural support for EV charging.
Key EV Challenges for Strata Buildings
Existing strata buildings face unique challenges:
Addressing the Limited Number of Parking Spaces
With the increasing adoption of EVs, strata communities must reconsider their parking strategies, especially in buildings where parking space is already scarce. The challenge is accommodating the growing need for EV charging stations without worsening the existing parking shortage.
Common property areas within strata buildings are often considered suitable for EV charging stations. However, retrofitting these areas requires careful planning to minimise disruption to existing parking arrangements and ensure equitable access for all residents. Additionally, it’s crucial to address or prevent ICE’ing (unauthorised parking in EV charging bays).
The Phenomena of ICEing and Range Anxiety
Strata managers must understand ICEing and range anxiety when planning EV charging strategies.
ICEing: This occurs when non-EV (or Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles occupy EV charging bays, hindering access for EVs. It also includes situations where EVs park in dedicated charging bays without actively charging, known as “hogging.” Misusing these bays for general parking can be problematic.
Range Anxiety: This is the fear of running out of charge before reaching a destination or the next charging station. Addressing ICEing is essential to prevent range anxiety among strata residents, ensuring a smooth transition to EVs.
Tackling the Challenges for Better EV Adoption
ICEing is not only inconvenient but also discourteous. It’s a barrier to effective EV adoption and demands proactive measures. Addressing ICEing requires vigilant enforcement such as parking barriers and adopting parking systems.
Strata managers must implement clear policies regarding the use of EV charging bays and provide a reliable network of charging stations to support the growing number of EV users.
Upgrading Electrical Infrastructure for EV Charging in Strata
Introducing EV charging facilities in strata buildings requires changes in power consumption measurement. Many existing buildings lack the necessary electrical infrastructure, which may necessitate upgrades. The size and cost of these upgrades vary, depending on factors like the building’s age, size, and anticipated power consumption due to EV adoption. Evaluating the existing electrical system’s capacity, identifying constraints, and carrying out necessary enhancements are crucial for a smooth transition to EV-friendly infrastructure.
Streamlining Cost Allocation and Billing for EV Charging in Strata
Developing an effective strategy for billing and cost allocation can be complex.
Effective cost allocation requires meticulous tracking. Strata buildings can track individual EV Charging usage by enhancing building parking systems with smart parking bollard.
Often, strata managers are responsible for managing these costs. Key considerations include tracking individual usage, handling shared expenses, and determining fair ways to reimburse the strata corporation for electricity.
Balancing Resident Needs
Strata buildings must balance the needs of both EV and non-EV owners for parking. Conducting resident surveys and fostering open dialogue can help create a collaborative environment where diverse needs are understood and addressed. Engaging residents in decision-making ensures equitable parking availability for all, regardless of their vehicle type.
Regulatory and Compliance Considerations
Adapting to the EV trend requires understanding and complying with various regulations. This includes local building codes, council regulations, electrical standards, and safety protocols. Consulting with experts and regulatory bodies can offer valuable insights for seamless integration of EV charging facilities.
Proactive Planning and Collaboration
Proactive planning and collaboration are essential to tackle the complexities of EV charging installation. Customising solutions can make the process more effective. By implementing EV charging stations, strata buildings enhance amenities, resident satisfaction, and contribute positively to environmental sustainability.
Conclusion
EV readiness goes beyond regulatory compliance; it’s a step towards a greener, more sustainable future. This article has outlined key considerations and steps to achieve EV readiness in your strata building.
At ThatsMySpot, we install smart parking bollards in EV charging bays to ensure fair access, optimise turnover, and prevent ICEing. Download our PDF guide on How to be EV ready in your strata building. In Part 2 of this series, we detail the steps a strata building should follow to be fully EV ready.
Part 2: 6 Steps on How to be EV Ready in your Strata Building
In the realm of sustainable living, Electric Vehicle (EV) readiness within strata buildings stands as more than just a regulatory necessity. It’s a pivotal stride towards fostering a greener future. Building on our previous exploration of EV readiness, we delve further into practical steps and guidance, empowering strata communities to adopt EV charging seamlessly.
Step 1: Educating the Community on EV Benefits
The initial phase of EV readiness revolves around enlightening the community about EV benefits. This includes spreading knowledge on environmental advantages and cost efficiency through forums and workshops, thereby nurturing a collective drive towards eco-friendly mobility.
Step 2: Assessing Building Needs
A critical step is understanding your building’s specific requirements. The simplest way to do this is to start by conducting surveys to ascertain existing :
- Parking availability.
- Current electrical infrastructure.
- Number of resident car owners and existing EV users.
- How many residents drive EVs now?
How many residents are considering EVs, and when? - Building’s existing electrical capacity and load.
- Assessing current and projected future demand for EV charging.
Current and future demands for EV charging.
- Appointing a sub-committee within the Owners’ Corporation can streamline this information-gathering process.
These types of surveys will help you profile current patterns and behaviour around driving, parking and EV charging. With this very useful and validated information, you can then start to plan ahead with a strategy specifically suited to your strata building’s requirements.
Step 3: Planning and Designing EV Infrastructure
With a clear grasp of your needs, it’s time to consult specialists in EV infrastructure and electrical engineering. Their expertise will simplify the planning phase, focusing on elements like metered circuit boards, load management, charger selection, billing systems, safety, and future-proofing technologies.
Step 4: Establishing Effective Policies
As strata managers, it’s crucial to implement clear and comprehensive policies to ensure the efficient operation of your Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Here are key guidelines to consider:
Fair Access to Charging Bays:
- Implement a system or policy ensuring fair access to limited EV charging bays.
- Consider using parking bollards to reserve EV charging spots, ensuring they’re available for those who book them.
- Prevent the misuse of charging bays for regular parking or ICE’ing (Internal Combustion Engine vehicles occupying EV spots).
Defining Responsible Charging Behaviour:
- Determine guidelines for EV charging usage, such as whether EVs with 80% or more charge should be allowed to top up if others are waiting.
- Develop a clear understanding among residents about responsible and considerate use of EV charging facilities.
Billing for EV Charging:
- Establish a transparent system for billing the power usage from common property EV chargers.
- Consider individual usage, shared expenses, and reimbursement methods to the strata corporation for electricity consumption.
Addressing ICE’ing in EV Charging Bays:
- Create policies to prevent non-EV vehicles from occupying charging bays.
- Consider implementing penalties or other measures to enforce these rules.
Transparent Communication:
- Clearly communicate all policies and guidelines to residents.
- Ensure residents are aware of their responsibilities and the operational aspects of the EV charging infrastructure.
By setting these policies early and maintaining open communication, you can create a harmonious environment in your strata community. This approach not only streamlines the EV charging process but also fosters a sense of collective responsibility and respect among residents.
Step 5: Installation and Deployment of EV Chargers
Selecting the right EV supplier, whether an independent contractor or a specialist operator, is essential. Drawing insights from other installations and seeking expert advice for complex projects is advised. For both owners’ corporations and individual tenants, obtaining detailed quotes and coordinating with the building management for installation are key steps. Distributing informative resources helps in educating the community about new EV charging facilities and policies. [1] [2] [3]
Step 6: Monitoring and Maintenance
Establishing a system for regular monitoring and maintenance of the EV charging infrastructure is crucial. Utilising software tools for usage tracking and adjusting resources as needed ensures optimal performance. This responsibility can be managed by the building or facilities manager or a volunteer from the Owners’ Corporation.
Embracing EV Readiness
Adopting these steps enables strata communities to support EV owners effectively and contribute to a greener future. Integrating systems like automatic parking bollards from ThatsMYspot enhances both EV readiness and parking management in strata buildings.
Managing EV Charging and Parking Challenges
Strata managers often face challenges in managing parking spaces, especially with the integration of EV charging infrastructure. ThatsMYspot offers solutions like smart parking bollards that address these issues, ensuring fair access to parking and EV charging bays, and preventing non-EV vehicles from occupying these spots. These systems promote a harmonious living environment and contribute to sustainable urban living.
For more information or to explore tailored parking solutions for your strata building, contact ThatsMYspot and download your free EV Charging Procurement Guide.
Conclusion
Adapting to EV readiness in strata buildings is a journey of education, planning, policy implementation, and technological integration. By following these steps, strata communities can play a significant role in advancing sustainable transportation, making strides towards a greener, more efficient, and harmonious living environment.
*Blog post courtesy of ThatsMYspot