As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to grow in popularity, strata communities are facing new challenges — and opportunities — when it comes to managing EV batteries and charging infrastructure. While the shift to cleaner transport is a positive one, it introduces complex considerations for buildings with shared services, parking areas, and by-laws.
Key Considerations for Strata Communities
1. Infrastructure Readiness
Many existing strata buildings weren’t designed with EV charging in mind. Retrofitting chargers into a shared car park can involve electrical upgrades, load management systems, and careful planning to ensure the building’s electrical capacity isn’t exceeded. Strata committees need to assess their infrastructure and plan for future demand — not just current needs.
2. Safety and Fire Risks
EV batteries come with different safety requirements compared to petrol vehicles. While EV fires are rare, lithium-ion batteries can present a fire risk if damaged or improperly managed. Strata communities should review fire safety plans and consult experts when considering EV charging installations to ensure systems meet relevant safety standards.
Fact: Despite common concerns, electric vehicles are significantly less likely to catch fire than petrol-powered cars. Between 2010 and September 2023, only six EV fires were recorded in Australia, according to EV FireSafe. By comparison, in just the 2022–23 financial year, Fire and Rescue NSW responded to 2,803 fires involving internal combustion engine vehicles in New South Wales alone.
3. Fair and Transparent Access
Shared facilities like EV chargers need clear rules around usage, access, and cost recovery. Will all residents have access? Will there be a booking system? How will electricity use be metered and paid for? These are practical issues that need to be addressed to avoid disputes and ensure fairness within the community.
4. By-Laws and Approvals
Installing EV chargers in common property or individual car spaces typically requires approval from the owners committee and may involve updating the scheme’s by-laws. Communities should ensure they have clear processes in place for owners or residents who want to install a charger and manage ongoing use.
5. Insurance Implications
Insurance providers may need to be notified if EV charging infrastructure is installed. It’s important to understand whether additional cover or premium adjustments will apply, and to confirm responsibilities in the event of property damage or incidents linked to EV charging.
Planning for the Future
The uptake of electric vehicles is only expected to increase. Forward-thinking strata schemes are already investigating scalable, cost-effective solutions that can accommodate growing demand without compromising safety or amenity for other residents.
This might include installing centralised charging stations, offering limited charging to start with, or future-proofing new developments with sufficient infrastructure from the outset.
EVs are here to stay, and strata communities need to be ready. Clear policies, sound infrastructure planning, and fair rules for residents will help manage this transition smoothly — while ensuring buildings remain safe, functional, and future-ready.
