Summary
– Robert Till, a Brisbane apartment dweller, faces challenges in having an electric vehicle charger installed in the building’s underground car park
– Till offered to pay for a 10 amp—240-volt power point in his car space, but the body corporate rejected the request
– There is a push for laws that will allow apartment owners in Australia to have the right to charge their electric vehicles in their buildings
– The Head of Owner’s Corporation Network is advocating for legislation changes regarding EV charging in strata-managed apartments
– Recent concerns regarding fires caused by e-bike batteries highlight the need for safe storage and charging practices
Article
Robert Till, a 70-year-old retiree living in a strata-managed set of Brisbane units, is facing obstacles in his pursuit to buy an electric vehicle. Despite offering to pay for a charger installation in the building’s underground car park, the body corporate has rejected his request for a 10 amp—240-volt power point in his car space. This dilemma mirrors the challenges faced by many apartment dwellers across Australia, highlighting the need for legislative changes to facilitate the installation of charging infrastructure in multi-unit buildings. Mr. Till has been in conflict with his complex’s body corporate for three years over this issue, trying to find a solution that would allow him to charge an electric vehicle conveniently.
The building’s body corporate initially claimed that the 21-year-old building could not be rewired to accommodate Type 2 charging, which uses seven plug pins and is faster than the five-pin Type 1 charging power points. Mr. Till, however, is only seeking Type 1 charging that can handle 7 to 11 kilowatts from a standard 240-volt line. He has obtained expert assessments confirming that this modification will not strain the building’s electrical infrastructure due to the limited number of electric vehicle owners in the complex. Mr. Till’s situation highlights the need for a more streamlined process for approving and installing charging stations in strata-managed apartment buildings, especially as the demand for electric vehicles continues to rise.
Existing legislation allows body corporates to block the installation of charging stations in apartment buildings, creating barriers for individuals like Mr. Till who wish to transition to electric vehicles. Queensland resident Mr. Till is advocating for the removal of body corporates’ authority to block charging plugs and shifting such approval processes to state legislation. In the absence of these reforms, individuals living in strata-managed properties may face challenges in adopting sustainable transportation options like electric vehicles. Efforts are underway at both state and federal levels to address this issue, with lobby groups and advocacy organizations pushing for legislative changes that would grant strata apartment owners the right to charge their electric vehicles on the premises.
Fred Tuckwell, the Chair of the Owner’s Corporation Network, is leading efforts to advocate for changes in legislation that would empower strata owners to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure in their buildings. Tuckwell has engaged with state and federal governments to address the issue and ensure that Australia’s 2.5 million strata owners have the necessary support to transition to electric vehicles. Legislative amendments are being considered in states like Victoria and New South Wales to enable apartment dwellers to charge their electric vehicles in multi-unit residential buildings. These initiatives aim to promote sustainable transportation options and address challenges faced by individuals living in strata-managed properties.
In addition to facilitating the installation of electric vehicle charging stations, there is a growing focus on safety measures surrounding the charging of electric transport devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters. Recent incidents of fires caused by lithium batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters have raised concerns about the safety of charging these devices in apartment buildings. Victoria’s fire crews have reported responding to frequent fires caused by exploding lithium batteries during charging. Efforts are being made to promote safe charging practices and quality standards for electric transport devices to mitigate the risk of fires and ensure resident safety. Legislative changes may be necessary to enforce safety guidelines and prevent potential hazards associated with charging electric vehicles and related devices in residential buildings.
Read the full article here
