According to Queensland’s corporate commissioner, apartment complexes are facing a challenging situation due to the increasing popularity of electric vehicles and the growing trend towards more affordable unit living. Enquiries regarding the location, running costs, and responsibility for power infrastructure upgrades in older apartment complexes have been on the rise. The growing demand for electric vehicle (EV) chargers is responsible for this surge.

These concerns will intensify as the state strives to achieve a zero-emissions goal and as high-density living becomes increasingly common in the years ahead. The design of many newer apartment complexes, constructed in recent years, accommodates EV requirements, ensuring their future viability. Nevertheless, they represent a small fraction.

Numerous apartment complexes in Queensland face the costly task of retrofitting individually metered charging stations and power load upgrades. Installing an EV charger in a personal garage or parking space connected to an individual electricity metre is not as straightforward as it may seem for lot owners.

Additionally, people have expressed concerns about the potential fire hazards associated with EV chargers. However, I will address this topic later, as it falls outside the scope of the BCCM’s jurisdiction. Owners of electric vehicle chargers should check to see if their charging equipment could strain the electrical utility infrastructure.

Interfering with utility infrastructure or services in a manner that could impact the supply of services to others is considered a violation. Those interested in installing an EV charger in their designated parking space or property management groups considering installation on shared property may require expert guidance to assess if the current utility infrastructure can handle the power demand of one or more EV chargers.

Certain corporations may be exploring or have already implemented by-laws that necessitate lot owners to obtain consent for the installation of an EV charger or to establish regulations regarding their use, placement, and even the specific type of charger. Approval from the body corporate is required if an owner wishes to have an EV charger installed on common property or in an exclusive use area solely for their own benefit. This would be viewed as a positive change by the new laws.

Legislation or by-laws can hold the lot owner accountable for any property damage if they fail to obtain the necessary approval. After all, upgrading utility infrastructure can be quite expensive, and the body corporate is typically responsible for these costs.

Yet another concerning situation arises when corporate bodies decide to convert a visitor car park into an EV charging station. The development application (DA) that the council approves determines the number of visitor parking spaces in an apartment complex.

A decrease in quantity could potentially violate the DA. It is important to conduct a thorough investigation before considering the conversion of a visitor parking space into an EV charging station, especially if there are surplus parking spaces available.

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