Funding to make apartment buildings ready for EVs

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The EV Ready Buildings grants program will help eligible strata buildings with at least 10 apartments to install electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in a common area.

New South Wales (NSW) Energy Minister Penny Sharpe said the state is the first in Australia to co-fund apartment building EV infrastructure upgrades.

“More than 90% of EV drivers charge their vehicle at home, and we don’t want people living in apartments to miss out,” she said.

“The NSW government is committed to increasing the uptake of electric vehicles, by improving access to infrastructure. We’re investing $260 million in the 2023–24 NSW Budget to cover programs including fast chargers on commuter routes, more kerbside chargers near apartment blocks and upgraded grid capacity and charging hubs to support fleets.”

The grant is part of the NSW government’s commitment to rolling out charging infrastructure to increase EV uptake and help the state reach its net zero target.

Existing buildings will be retrofitted with the electrical infrastructure required to connect the supply equipment needed to charge a vehicle.

The grant program is open to strata buildings across metropolitan and regional New South Wales. It will co-fund up to 80% of the cost of each building upgrade, to a maximum of $80,000. It will also support the purchase and installation of up to four shared-use chargers in visitor parking spots.

The grants process has 2 stages. The first includes a preliminary building assessment to determine the best approach to making it EV ready. Successful applicants will then be invited to apply for stage 2, which will co-fund the infrastructure upgrade.

Applications can be made through the online Grant Management System, SmartyGrants.