Thousands of Australians living in apartments will soon gain better access to electric vehicle (EV) charging through a $1.51 million grant awarded under the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s (ARENA) Driving the Nation program.
The funding supports a $4.78 million project to roll out nearly 2,000 Level 1 Intelligent Power Sockets (IPS) across 16 apartment complexes over the next three years. The initiative aims to make home charging more convenient and affordable for residents, particularly in older buildings that may lack the infrastructure for higher-capacity chargers.
Expanding Access to Apartment Charging
Some sites will also trial load-shifting to align charging with rooftop solar generation, helping residents charge more efficiently while supporting grid stability.
NOX Energy, the Sydney-based company leading the project, says the approach provides a practical, low-cost pathway for strata communities to support EV adoption.
“Our mission is to democratise access to EVs, and this rollout will transform apartment living for thousands of residents who want to drive electric,” said Charlie Richardson, chief operating officer at NOX Energy. “Our model removes cost and complexity for strata communities, providing affordable and accessible EV charging for older complexes and new builds.”
Lower-Cost Charging for Residents
Level 1 charging, while slower than common Level 2 setups, allows vehicles to charge overnight at a lower cost. NOX Energy says its “fair, user-pays” model ensures EV drivers are billed at the strata retail tariff plus a small service fee, while owners’ corporations are fully reimbursed so that non-EV owners are not subsidising charging costs.
“With ARENA’s support, we can begin to break down one of the biggest barriers to EV ownership,” said Wylie Chak, co-founder and director of NOX Energy. “We will deliver nearly 2,000 smart charging points across Australia, expanding reliable and affordable access to EV charging at home, an important first step toward serving the millions who live in apartments.”
Supporting the Transition to Electric Transport
ARENA chief executive Darren Miller said the project demonstrates how local innovation can help remove barriers to EV uptake.
“By supporting low-cost, scalable charging solutions for apartment residents, ARENA is helping to unlock new pathways for decarbonising transport and making EV ownership more accessible to millions of Australians,” Miller said.
Project collaborators include developers and strata managers such as HENNY, Stratablox, Mayfield, and Tideways, along with technology partners MiMOR and MOX. The Electric Vehicle Council and Wattblock will provide independent research support throughout the rollout.
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