More electric vehicle drivers can soon charge up at home and work, with a step-by-step guide released by the NSW Government, and a pilot site providing proof of concept for EV-ready buildings.
Minister for Energy Matt Kean said there are already more than 850 registrations for a new Government webinar about helping make apartment and commercial buildings ready to install electric vehicle (EV) chargers.
'With the global shift to EVs it's not a matter of if, but when, buildings will need to provide EV charging options,' Mr Kean said.
'We're providing guidance materials, templates and tools on how to retrofit these buildings on one convenient website.
'Having all the information in one place makes it an easy first stop for apartment owners, strata organisations, tenants and building managers planning to install EV chargers in their buildings.'
The EV Ready Buildings website provides an easy to use, trusted source of information and practical tools and templates to help navigate the process.
The Richmont building in Pyrmont has been co-funded by the NSW Government to upgrade the electrical system to enable EV charging in all 104 parking spaces. They have already installed shared charging facilities in the visitor parking spaces, and through this process have discovered how to manage the charging of multiple EVs without costly upgrades to the buildings' electricity supply.
The Government has also supported EV feasibility studies at 15 residential and commercial buildings in Sydney metro to assess EV ready upgrade costs. These studies have helped to understand the costs and options for retrofitting EV charging in existing buildings of various ages, sizes, layouts and locations.
Mr Kean said making a building EV ready will increase property values and attractiveness to tenants while helping to reduce vehicle emissions.
'The take up of solar in New South Wales has been exceptional and as we transition to renewable energy, this program ensures a clean drive and a clean future,' Mr Kean said.
'EVs are expected to make up 50 per cent of new car sales by 2030 in New South Wales, and the new guidance materials will help make this target a reality while also protecting the environment.'
EV ready buildings are part of the Government's Electric Vehicle Strategy announced last year under the NSW Net Zero Plan. The strategy also includes $171 million over the next four years to ensure widespread, world-class EV fast charging coverage across New South Wales.
The EV Ready Buildings materials and webinar registration details are available on the Drive electric NSW EV ready buildings webinar webpage. Speakers at the webinar include the EV Council Head of Energy and Infrastructure, Ross de Rango, and Owners Corporation Network chairman, Fred Tuckwell.
