As more drivers opt for environmentally conscious electric vehicle (EV) options, their popularity presents a few questions and challenges for Owners Corporations.
Ensuring your property is ready and set up to support EVs safely and effectively is essential. To achieve this, a number of factors beyond the installation of EV charging need to be considered.
At Above OCM, we pride ourselves on our EV parking and charging expertise. Below are the three things we advise all our committees to prioritise when setting up for EV charging.
- Upgrade your fire systems.
EV charging does come with some risks, especially in larger buildings. While fires aren’t common, faulty EV batteries, which contain lithium, are the leading cause. Faults can stem from manufacturing, damage (for example, a minor crash) or incorrect use and maintenance.
EV battery fires can spread quickly and expel highly toxic fumes, so it’s vital to ensure you have the appropriate systems in place to manage a fire if one were to occur.
Your fire systems should include:
- An upgraded sprinkler system and shutdown measures, where possible, in parking areas to prevent a fire from spreading.
- Adequate ventilation and cooling systems in EV charging areas to manage the heat generated during charging.
- Fire plans, additional whole-building training, and clear firefighter access are essential to ensure everyone knows how to respond to incidents, and professionals can gain access quickly and efficiently.
- Update your insurance policy.
As a follow-on from the above, a crucial step when getting ready to set up EV charging is to ensure you have a robust insurance policy in place, particularly an environmental insurance policy.
You should consider your existing policy and its coverage and let your insurance provider know you’ve made changes that include installing EV charging so they can advise you on the best coverage and anything else you may need to consider.
Upgrading to an environmental insurance policy (if you don’t already have one) will help cover you for EV battery fires, potential property damage, and any liability related to the installation, maintenance, and operation of EV charging stations.
When upgrading your policy, you’ll need to ensure you’ve covered:
- Proper installation by qualified professionals.
- Compliance with building codes and parking infrastructure,
- Updated fire, health and safety plans and security measures (where appropriate).
As more Owners Corporations explore EV charging upgrades, there’s plenty of advice and guidance available. At Above OCM, we know how to navigate these conversations, and our knowledgeable team can ensure you get access to the correct information for your property.
- Invest in EV card charging.
As EV charging becomes more popular and more buildings investigate ways to set it up effectively, more options exist to explore. One that we’ve found works well for many clients is EV card charging systems.
This approach doesn’t require complex electrical upgrades or rewiring the entire building or parking space. EV card charging uses a shared infrastructure where individual users are billed separately via a smart card or fob. The EV charger draws power from the building’s main supply, and the cost is tracked to individual accounts, allowing unit owners to choose their own electricity tariffs.
By providing a scalable, user-friendly solution that can grow with demand and adapt to future technology, EV card charging ensures your building is ready for the continued popularity of electric vehicles.
Work With the Experts
The Australian Government has put together a comprehensive step-by-step guide for any committee interested in exploring and getting started with EV charging in their lots.
At Above OCM, we’ve worked with many clients to understand their EV charging situation. We can provide expert, tailored advice to help you get set up professionally, effectively and quickly.
Reach out to us today to find out more.
