The licensed electrical contractor
New circuits, fixed charging equipment, switchboard work and other electrical installation work must be completed by an appropriately licensed electrical contractor in Queensland. This isn't something a buyer or owner should attempt to assess themselves.
A licensed electrical contractor can assess the existing supply, the switchboard's condition and capacity, maximum demand, cable routes, the proposed charging location, load management, metering or tariff options, and the requirements of the local electricity distributor. Their assessment of the actual property, rather than a general impression of it, is what determines what's genuinely possible.
What home EV charging needsCharging options for the home
Home charging generally falls into a few categories, each suited to different circumstances.
Charging from a suitable household outlet
A suitable 10 A or 15 A outlet may support slower charging, where the vehicle and the existing installation allow it. This can suit buyers with lower daily mileage or flexible charging needs, though it's generally the slowest of the available options.
Charging from a dedicated EV charger
A dedicated charger, sometimes called Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), can provide faster charging than a household outlet, though it requires professional assessment and installation, generally including a dedicated circuit.
Charging with three phase power
Charging at higher rates may be possible where the property has three phase power and the vehicle, charger and connection requirements support it. Not every EV can accept the higher charging rates that this may allow, so the available charging speed depends on the vehicle as much as the property.
Charging speeds and times
Charging time depends on the vehicle, battery level, charger output, household electricity demand and any network restrictions. As a general guide, a standard 10 A outlet may supply approximately 2.3 kW, a dedicated charger using single phase power approximately 7 kW, and some installations using three phase power up to 22 kW. The vehicle may not be able to accept the full output available from the property.
Connecting to the networkEnergex connection requirements
A dedicated charger can materially increase a household's electricity demand and may require a managed connection. A licensed electrical contractor can confirm what the electricity distributor and retailer require for the property.
What it costsCosts
Installation costs
Installation cost can depend on the charging equipment selected, the distance from the switchboard, cable routing, any switchboard work required, metering, network requirements, equipment used to manage electrical load, trenching, the parking location and, for a body corporate property, any infrastructure or approvals involved. A quotation from a licensed electrical contractor for the particular property is the best way to understand the likely cost.
Home charging cost
The cost of charging at home depends on the amount of energy added, the electricity tariff, charging losses, any solar contribution and the time of charging. Electricity rates and tariff structures change over time, so this guide doesn't provide a fixed cost estimate. A licensed electrical contractor or electricity retailer can help estimate likely running costs for a specific setup. This section concerns home charging from the electricity grid, not public charging stations, which involve separate and generally different pricing.
Solar and future technologySolar charging
Rooftop solar may reduce the amount of grid electricity used for daytime EV charging, though the result depends on the solar system's size, how much it's generating at the time, household electricity demand, whether the vehicle is available to charge during the day, the charging equipment and its controls, and the electricity tariff. Solar doesn't automatically make EV charging inexpensive, since the actual saving depends on how these factors line up for a specific property and routine.
Some compatible smart chargers can adjust their charging rate according to available solar generation, which can help align charging with daytime solar output where that suits the buyer's routine.
Looking aheadBidirectional charging
Some compatible electric vehicles can send power back out through vehicle-to-home or vehicle-to-grid technology.
Vehicle-to-home (V2H) may allow a compatible vehicle to supply power to a home where the required equipment and arrangements are in place.
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) may allow a compatible vehicle to supply electricity to the network. Both options require compatible vehicles, approved equipment and suitable network and retailer arrangements, and remain emerging rather than standard property features.
What to check when buyingWhat to check when buying
An existing property
Check whether the property has suitable parking, whether charging equipment is already installed and what electricity supply is available. If equipment exists, confirm who owns it, its rated output and whether documentation is available. A licensed electrical contractor can assess the switchboard, cable route and any upgrade or connection requirements.
Parking location
The charging location should be practical, safely accessible and suitable for the equipment selected, rather than needing to be a covered garage as such. Street parking or a car space without nearby electrical infrastructure can make home charging more difficult, though a licensed electrical contractor can advise on what's genuinely possible for a specific property rather than it being ruled out on assumption.
A new build
Buyers commissioning a new build may wish to discuss future conduit and cable routes, parking location, switchboard capacity, load management, metering, solar integration and possible future charging needs at the design stage. The appropriate solution for a given build is best worked out with the designer, the licensed electrical contractor, the electricity distributor and any relevant approval authorities, rather than following a single universal specification.
Short stay and holiday letting
An owner considering offering EV charging to guests should get advice on electrical capacity, safe installation, access and use, metering or charging costs, insurance, property management arrangements and, where applicable, body corporate requirements, before assuming it can be offered as an amenity.
Body corporate propertiesEV charging in a body corporate property
In a body corporate property, installation may involve approval, common property, electrical capacity, metering, fire safety and responsibility for ongoing maintenance.
Check the body corporate records and ask whether the scheme has an existing charging policy, approval process or infrastructure plan. What is possible will depend on the individual scheme.
Whether EV charging matters for a property really comes down to whether it's relevant to the buyer's present or likely needs. For some buyers it's a genuine priority. For others it isn't a consideration at all, and that's a perfectly reasonable starting point too.
Where it is relevant, understanding what a property can support, and what a licensed electrical contractor would need to do to change that, is more useful than assuming any particular setup is required.