As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to rise in popularity, electricians will increasingly encounter requests to install EV chargers in apartment settings. These installations pose unique challenges and considerations compared to single-dwelling installations. Below, we address some of the most frequently asked questions electricians may face when tackling apartment EV charger installations.
Can I get a charger for my private car space?
Yes, you can. We have a range of EV charger options suitable for private EV
charging.
What type of EV charger do I need?
Level 2 AC chargers are ideal for apartment settings. These can be connected to single-phase (up to 7.4kW) or 3-phase (up to 22kW).
Single-phase chargers are perfect for overnight charging, providing 1-2 hours of charge at 7kW for most EV owners.
Smart chargers are recommended for apartment setups. These chargers offer internet connectivity, integrate with load management and billing software; making them essential for scalable EV charging solutions.
Do I need OC approval to install my charger
EV charger installations typically involve cabling on common property, meaning they count as a modification to common property.
OC approval is required for such modifications.
Can I connect my charger to my own electrical meter?
Whether you can connect your EV charger to your private electrical meter depends on your building setup and the OC’s EV charging plan.
For larger buildings, this may not be a scalable or fair solution for all residents.
In smaller buildings, connection to a private meter may be possible if the OC invests in a load management system.
Why can’t I connect my charger to my own electrical meter?
Private electrical meters are often located in areas where running cables to the car park is impractical.
If one EV owner gets charging access, all residents should have the same option, but this creates issues with building power supply, as an EV charger can draw as much power as an entire apartment.
A load management system is necessary to control the EV charging power draw, ensuring it stays within the safe limits of the building's electrical system.
So, what is a load management system?
A load management system monitors available power in the building and allocates it safely for EV charging.
It throttles power to EV chargers based on real-time demand.
During peak hours (6pm-10pm), charging power may be reduced.
Power to EV chargers increases as building demand decreases (e.g., after 10pm).
The system can suspend all EV charging if no spare power is available to avoid overloading the building’s electrical system.
Okay, so we need load management at the building, but I still don’t understand why I can’t connect my charger to my private electrical meter?
Setting up a load management system that connects EV chargers to private meters is only feasible in very specific cases. It’s safer to assume this won't be possible in most buildings.
We don’t have many EVs in the building so can’t I connect my charger to my private electrical meter now and deal with load management later?
While you may not need a load management system immediately for EV charging, it's best to plan with this in mind.
You might be able to connect your EV charger to a private meter now due to low EV usage, but as demand increases, you may have to reconnect to a load management system later.
Planning ahead can save future costs and ensure a scalable solution for growing EV adoption.
If I can’t connect my charger to my own electrical meter, where do I connect it?
Another suitable connection point for EV chargers is the building's common power .
The Owners' Corporation (OC) must invest in dedicated EV charging distribution boards .
These boards will be fed from the common power and installed throughout the carpark.
They will serve as connection points for EV owners.