The global trend towards the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is on the rise.
The global trend towards the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is on the rise. The United Kingdom and France have announced plans to ban new sales of petrol and diesel cars by 2040, followed by Sweden and Scotland in 2032, and Norway as early as 2025.
Anticipating this shift, Australia aims to make electric vehicles competitively available by 2025. Consequently, the incorporation of EV facilities in new buildings has become a common consideration, both for marketing advantages and enhanced property value. Retrofitting charging stations in existing structures poses a challenge due to potential disruptions and overloads on electricity supply.
A case in point is Camberwell Village, which has strategically installed EV infrastructure in its basement (B1) to accommodate 36 car charging points. This entails the provision of four enclosed group metering panels designed to support a maximum of 18 three-phase meters with T-off boxes and 18 single-phase meters with T-off boxes. As demand for these charging points increases, further expansion necessitates a thorough assessment of the additional electrical load. The potential impact on the building’s power supply requires careful consideration to prevent any disruptions or faults to the existing services.
Since 2019, residents of Camberwell Village have been actively observing the evolution of electric vehicles. A notable number of residents have transitioned to hybrid models, and this trend is gradually shifting towards full electric vehicles. This changing pattern underscores the importance of anticipatory infrastructure development to effectively accommodate the evolving transportation landscape.
“Currently, we find ourselves at the initial stages, where 6 out of the 55 apartments in the CVT Building have embraced full electric vehicles and are utilising the accessible EV charging room equipped with 36 connections. I anticipate a significant increase over the coming year, potentially doubling or even tripling, as new owners are increasingly recognising the sustainable cost benefits of transitioning to full electric vehicles. For specific figures, I suggest referring to online sources for comparisons between electric and traditional petrol/diesel vehicles.”
– Chris Tarczon, Connect Facilities Building Manager