Question: Our 60s apartment block has an old switchboard. Even with solar grants, we can’t change the board’s capacity. How do we overcome the limit of supply so we can install EV chargers?
The switchboard in our 60s apartment block was installed in the 80s. We get anything from 40 amps to typically 60 amps per unit. It’s just not feasible to run a 32 amp level 2 EV charger. We’re stuck with 16 amp level 1 chargers. It is hugely expensive to upgrade the switchboard. Even if we get a solar for apartments grant, discounted batteries or free chargers, none of this helps if our switchboard can’t cope.
We also need a special vote to get the upgrade approved. What’s motivating owners to upgrade electricity switchboards? There’s no direct benefit. I’d like to know more about limit of supply. Better advocacy for this problem, plus government support, would be great.
Answer: In the case of extremely limited supply, we suggest a full power audit in advance to see how much ‘headroom’ you have.
You are right about the distribution board and main switch upgrades. They typically run anywhere from $3k-$10k to bring them up to current standards. It is definitely a larger cost but one that generally brings benefit and compliance to the whole building.
In the case of extremely limited supply, we suggest a full power audit in advance to see how much ‘headroom’ you have. Our experience is that there will still be room for several 10A GPOs, and even more when you load balance between them.
This post appears in the June 2025 edition of The NSW Strata Magazine.
Charlie Richardson NOX Energy E: charlie.richardson@noxenergy.com.au P: 0415 513 636