Electric Vehicle Charging in Apartment Buildings

 Many apartment building owners want to have EV charging capability in their carparks, but this is often not possible due to power capacity and body corporate approval. This is a problem that will only exacerbate as Queensland moves towards zero emissions.

You can make use of the on-road EV chargers at places like Tamborine Mountain to top up your battery while enjoying the views and attractions.

What is an EV?

An electric vehicle charging Brisbane (EV) is a motorized vehicle that runs on electricity rather than fossil fuel like gasoline. EVs emit zero tailpipe emissions and reduce the environmental impact of driving. In addition, EVs require less maintenance as they have fewer moving parts than gas-powered vehicles.

Newer batteries allow for a longer driving range and can function through thousands of “deep cycles.” The engines are also quieter than traditional combustion engines, making EVs more attractive to people who want to be eco-friendly.

EVs can be either all-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles. All-electric EVs use only an electric motor to drive, and they can be charged by plugging into an AC or DC charging station. Plug-in hybrids have a conventional fuel engine that can be used when the battery is depleted, providing a level of reassurance for drivers who worry about range anxiety.

Types of EVs

Electric vehicle (EV) models vary by the way they use electricity. Some operate entirely on battery power, while others are plug-in hybrid vehicles that combine both petrol or diesel fuel and an electric motor.

Some EVs have a 22kW AC charger, which can replenish a full charge overnight. Others have a 50kW DC fast charger, which can deliver up to 150km of range in an hour.

A range of public charging points are available at shopping centres, tourist attractions, sports clubs and service stations. EVs can also be charged at home using an existing standard power point and a specialised cable. Charging an EV during off-peak hours helps soak up excess renewable energy, and can help reduce household electricity costs. For more information on this topic, read our blog about daytime charging.

Charging Stations

EV charging stations are strategically located and able to quickly charge your vehicle, allowing you to spend more time exploring what the local area has to offer while your car is recharging. These fast chargers are found in a variety of public spaces such as shopping centres, restaurants and hotels.

The location and type of charging station you use is important as different models have different maximum charging rates. Also, your battery’s state of charge (SoC) and temperature will affect the rate at which it charges.

The Queensland Electric Super Highway (QESH) offers a network of 46 sites with fast charging facilities. Chargefox is helping to build the network by providing 21 locations for the fast charging network in a range of locations across the country. These locations will enable EV drivers to confidently travel between Australia’s major cities. The QESH also includes slow chargers to support longer trips and overnight charging. The RACV home EV charger can be installed at your home or in the workplace and will add around 40km of range per hour of charging.

Getting Started

With the Queensland Electric Super Highway now open, EV drivers can now easily recharge their vehicles at a range of locations throughout our state. Public fast charging stations can be found at popular tourist destinations, service stations and even council buildings. EV charging is also more cost-effective than you might think with most electricity rates in Australia costing $0.15 to $0.30 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for AC charging.

Many potential EV buyers are holding off purchasing their vehicle until the availability of EV charging infrastructure is improved. It can be difficult to get around this issue by installing a home charger, but an alternative option is to install an EV charging backbone at your apartment building.

This type of installation allows multiple EV owners to share one high-powered DC charger, and it can be configured for bi-directional charging where appropriate. If you’re interested in learning more about this option, contact Taylor Energy to request a free consultation.