In a significant move for apartment dwellers looking to make the switch to electric transport, the ACT branch of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) has launched a public register of EV-friendly strata sites across Canberra. The initiative aims to provide transparency for residents who have historically faced hurdles when trying to charge at home.
The register, released on Thursday, lists strata complexes that allow some form of on-site EV charging, a feature that is increasingly becoming a deal-maker (or breaker) for buyers and renters considering the switch to electric.
“We have created a publicly available register of EV-friendly strata sites that are attracting tenants and new owners by enabling EV charging on-site,” AEVA spokesperson Dr Peter Campbell said in a statement.
The register currently includes 22 strata complexes across Canberra, with different approaches to providing charging access.
Some buildings allow individual charging outlets to be wired back to the electricity meters of individual apartments. Others provide shared charging bays, often managed by third-party operators who bill residents directly and reimburse the body corporate for electricity used.
“As a low-cost solution, shared charging points let residents charge once or twice a week without giving up the convenience of their own parking space,” Dr Campbell said.
The register has been compiled using information from AEVA members, owners corporations, strata managers and public sources such as PlugShare.
AEVA is inviting additional buildings to submit their details for inclusion and advises users to confirm arrangements directly with the relevant owners corporation, as settings may change over time
Beyond convenience, the move is increasingly seen as an essential step for property value and tenant retention. Julie Campbell, Chair of the “Evoque” Owners Corporation which installed two stations two years ago, noted that modernising facilities makes buildings more attractive to future buyers.
Robin Eckermann, Chair of the OCN (ACT) Environmental Sustainability Working Group, echoed this sentiment, stating that strata owners deserve the same convenience as those in detached homes. He warned that complexes failing to facilitate charging “will fall behind in their appeal to purchasers and renters”.
Some states have begun clarifying strata rules to make installations easier, but progress is uneven. Canberra, which already has one of the highest rates of EV ownership in Australia, may become an early test case for how strata communities respond as EV uptake accelerates.
You can view the current list of EV-friendly complexes at the AEVA website.
Sam is Chief Operating Officer for Renew Economy and EV Media. Sam has been working with Renew Economy and One Step Off The Grid since 2014 and with The Driven since its inception in 2017. Sam is also the host of The Driven Podcast.