Strata EV Charging Melbourne

EV charging infrastructure for apartment buildings, body corporates and shared car parks designed for long-term scalability.

Without a structured plan, strata EV charging quickly becomes inconsistent, capacity-constrained and expensive to retrofit later.

• 5+ strata projects delivered

• Licensed REC electricians

• AS/NZS 3000 compliant

• Melbourne-based specialists

Why EV Charging is Difficult in Apartments

Installing EV chargers in apartment buildings is fundamentally different from a standard home installation. Most strata properties were never designed for multiple EV chargers, which creates real electrical, approval and infrastructure challenges.

4 Problem Blocks:

1. Shared Electrical Supply

Most apartment buildings rely on shared electrical infrastructure, so multiple residents are drawing from the same system.

2. Limited Capacity

Existing switchboards and distribution systems often cannot support multiple EV chargers without upgrades or load management.

3. Approvals & Strata Requirements

EV charging usually requires approval from owners corporations or body corporates, adding another layer of process and decision-making.

4. Retrofitting Challenges

Running cabling through basements, risers, car parks and existing structures requires careful planning to avoid messy, costly outcomes.

A white electric car plugged into a charging station outdoors, surrounded by green trees and foliage.

Strata EV charging affects multiple stakeholders. We work with the people responsible for approvals, infrastructure planning, site access and long-term building outcomes.

Who We Work With

🏢 Owners Corporations

We help owners corporations understand what is technically possible, what the building can support, and how to avoid short-term decisions that create long-term limitations.

🧾 Strata Managers

We give strata managers practical guidance, clear recommendations and structured next steps they can take back to committees and residents.

🏬 Body Corporates

We help body corporates assess building constraints, plan scalable infrastructure and make informed decisions around EV charging upgrades.

🏢 Building Managers & Developers

We support site logistics, access planning, infrastructure layout and future-ready EV charging integration for both existing buildings and new developments.


Whether you’re managing a single installation request or planning EV infrastructure for an entire building, we can guide the process from assessment through to completion.

Why One-Off Charger Approvals Become a Bigger Building Problem

Approving EV chargers one request at a time might seem practical at first, but this reactive approach usually creates bigger infrastructure problems later.

Without a clear infrastructure plan, EV charging in strata buildings quickly becomes inconsistent, inefficient & expensive to manage.

  • Inconsistent installation standards
    Different electricians and different methods create inconsistency across the building.

  • Electrical infrastructure strain
    Multiple chargers added without planning can overload shared systems or expose capacity limitations.

  • Duplicated upgrade costs
    Repeated one-off upgrades often cost more than a planned building-wide approach.

  • No long-term scalability
    Buildings become unprepared as EV adoption increases, leading to more disruption & more retrofit cost later.

What starts as a simple resident request can quickly become an infrastructure problem unless the building plans properly from the start.

We do not treat strata EV charging as a series of one-off installs. We assess the building, understand the constraints, and design an infrastructure path that works now and can scale later.

Our Approach

Our approach includes:

  • Electrical capacity assessment
    We assess what the building’s existing electrical infrastructure can safely support.

  • Infrastructure planning
    We design a pathway for the building, not just the next resident request.

  • Scalable system design
    The system is planned to support increasing EV demand without constant redesign.

  • Load management strategies
    Demand is balanced intelligently so the building is protected from unnecessary strain.

  • Compliant installation & certification
    Installations are completed by our licensed REC electricians and aligned with AS/NZS 3000.

The outcome is a structured EV charging system that supports multiple users, reduces long-term upgrade waste and prepares the building for future demand.

Recommended 3-Stage EV Charging Rollout for Apartments

Stage 1 - EV Readiness Assessment

A comprehensive assessment of your building’s electrical capacity, infrastructure, and future EV demand.

Includes:
• Switchboard and capacity review
• Car park layout assessment
• Infrastructure pathway planning
• Future demand considerations

Outcome:
Clear understanding of what the building can support.

Stage 2 - Shared EV Infrastructure

Installation of core electrical infrastructure to support multiple EV chargers across the building.

Includes:
• Common electrical distribution systems
• Cable containment pathways
• Load management systems
• Provision for staged expansion

Outcome:
A scalable, future-ready EV charging backbone that supports multiple residents without overloading the system.

Stage 3 - Resident Charger Installations

Installation of individual EV chargers within the approved infrastructure system.

Includes:
• Dedicated circuits
• Smart charger installation
• Integration with shared infrastructure
• Certificate of Electrical Safety

Outcome:
Efficient, compliant EV charger installations for residents - delivered within a structured, scalable system.

The first step in any strata EV charging project is understanding your building’s electrical capacity and infrastructure requirements.

We provide a structured EV readiness assessment to give you clear recommendations, practical solutions, and a roadmap for implementation.

Submit your details below and we’ll assess your building and provide clear next steps.

Key Benefits of a Structured Strata EV Charging Approach

A structured EV charging strategy does more than solve today’s installation request. It protects the building, controls future cost and creates a workable path for growing EV demand.

  • Prevents unplanned and inconsistent charger installations

  • Reduces repeated upgrade costs over time

  • Protects shared electrical infrastructure

  • Supports scalable growth in resident EV charging

  • Improves clarity for committees and building stakeholders

  • Makes future resident charger installations faster and more efficient

Service Options

Our services are designed to support strata buildings at every stage of EV charging adoption - from initial assessment through to full infrastructure rollout and individual charger installations.

EV Readiness Assessment

Suitable for strata managers and committees seeking clarity before approving EV charging installations.

Includes:
• Site inspection and assessment of building conditions


• Electrical capacity analysis and switchboard review


• Infrastructure pathway and layout considerations


• Future demand and scalability planning


• Written report with clear recommendations and next steps

Outcome:
A clear understanding of the building’s current capability and a structured pathway for EV charging implementation.

Indicative Fee:
From $1150 + GST (varies by building)

Strata EV Infrastructure

Design and installation of shared EV charging infrastructure systems to support scalable, long-term adoption within the building.

Includes:
• Shared electrical distribution and supply systems


• Cable containment and pathway installation


• Load management and protection systems


• Infrastructure designed for staged expansion


• Integration framework for future resident chargers

Outcome:
A compliant, future-ready infrastructure system that supports multiple EV chargers while reducing long-term upgrade costs.

Pricing:
Project-specific quotation

Resident Chargers

Supply and installation of EV chargers for individual residents within an approved building infrastructure system.

Includes:
• Charger supply and professional installation


• Dedicated circuit from distribution point


• Integration with shared infrastructure systems


• Testing, commissioning, and setup


• Certificate of Electrical Safety (COES)

Outcome:
A safe, compliant, and fully operational EV charging solution tailored to the resident and integrated with the building system.

Pricing:
Dependent on site conditions and installation requirements

Why Strata EV Charging Needs Proper Planning

Strata EV charging is more complex than standard residential installation.

Long cable runs, shared infrastructure, limited capacity, access constraints and stakeholder approvals all need to be considered properly before installation begins.

Without a structured approach, these projects often lead to delays, avoidable cost and infrastructure limitations later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about EV charging in strata buildings, including approvals, capacity, staged rollout and how to start planning properly.

We regularly work with Owners Corporations, strata managers, and building stakeholders across Melbourne, and these are some of the most common questions we receive when planning EV charging infrastructure.

Because every building is different, the answers below provide general guidance - a proper assessment is the best way to understand what’s possible for your specific property.

  • Yes - however, EV charging in apartment buildings requires proper planning and infrastructure design.

    Unlike standalone homes, strata buildings operate on shared electrical systems. This means installations must consider overall building capacity, load distribution, and future demand.

    A structured approach ensures chargers can be installed safely, compliantly, and without overloading the building’s electrical system.

  • This depends on the building and the chosen solution.

    In most cases:

    • Individual residents pay for their own charger installation

    • Shared infrastructure (if implemented) may be funded by the Owners Corporation or staged over time

    We help buildings design fair, scalable solutions where costs can be allocated appropriately.

  • Not always - but many do.

    Some buildings have sufficient spare capacity, while others require:

    • switchboard upgrades

    • load management systems

    • shared infrastructure

    The only way to determine this is through an EV readiness assessment.

  • They can - but this is not always the best long-term approach.

    Case-by-case installations often lead to:

    • inconsistent standards

    • duplicated costs

    • infrastructure strain

    A structured system ensures all future installations are integrated properly.

  • Load management systems control how electricity is distributed across multiple EV chargers.

    This allows:

    • multiple chargers to operate safely

    • existing infrastructure to be used more efficiently

    • upgrades to be deferred or reduced

    It is a key component of scalable EV charging in strata buildings.

  • It depends on the size and complexity of the building.

    Typical timelines:

    • Assessment: 1-2 weeks

    • Design and planning: 2-4 weeks

    • Installation: varies depending on scope

    We provide clear timelines after the initial assessment.

  • The first step is an EV readiness assessment.

    This includes:

    • reviewing electrical capacity

    • assessing infrastructure pathways

    • identifying upgrade requirements

    • providing a clear roadmap for implementation

    This ensures the building makes informed decisions before any installation begins.

  • Yes - and this is the recommended approach.

    A staged rollout allows:

    • infrastructure to be installed first

    • chargers to be added as demand grows

    • costs to be spread over time

    This ensures the system remains scalable and cost-effective.

  • New developments are increasingly being designed with EV charging in mind.

    For existing buildings, upgrading infrastructure early helps:

    • future-proof the property

    • avoid higher retrofit costs later

    • support increasing EV adoption

  • Start with a strata EV assessment.

    We review your building, identify what’s possible, and provide clear recommendations on the best approach.

    🗲 From there, we guide you through design, planning, and installation.

Start with a Structured Strata EV Assessment

The first step in any strata EV charging project is understanding the building’s electrical capacity, infrastructure constraints and future demand. We provide clear recommendations and practical next steps before rollout decisions are made.


Why Aether Installations

Strata EV charging needs more than a standard charger install. It requires infrastructure thinking, practical building assessment and a pathway that supports future demand properly.

Melbourne-based EV infrastructure specialists

Focused exclusively on EV charging across residential, strata and commercial projects

Installations completed by our licensed REC electricians

AS/NZS 3000 compliant delivery

Designed for long-term scalability across shared buildings

For council-led or shared infrastructure projects, see Government EV Charging Projects

Whether you’re planning for future EV demand or responding to current installation requests, we help you implement EV charging the right way - from the start.