What's specific to charging in Canberra
Evoenergy and bigger chargers
For a Level 2 home charger over 7 kW, Evoenergy recommends upgrading from single phase to three phase power. That starts with a Basic Design Application, and Evoenergy quotes up to 8 to 10 business days for a design and up to 25 business days for a proposed connection date.
Apartments
An update to the ACT's Unit Titles (Management) Act 2011 means building managers and executive committees can't, without good reason, prevent or restrict sustainability infrastructure such as EV chargers. Since 27 September 2024, the Territory Plan has also required all new multi-unit developments to include EV Ready infrastructure to every unit's car space.
No new gas
New gas network connections have been prevented in ACT residential zones since 8 December 2023, so new Canberra homes are built without one. A charger then shares the switchboard with an induction cooktop, a heat pump and often solar, which makes the load check more important.
Solar on the roof
Every residential solar system in the ACT has a 5 kVA per phase export limit. Charging from your own panels in the middle of the day uses power you'd otherwise be limited in sending back.
A single-phase home and a 7 kW charger
If your home is single phase and a 7 kW charger covers your driving, the electrician checks the switchboard, the main cable and what else the house runs, then fits the charger on its own circuit.
By ACT Government figures, a 7 kW charger fully charges a standard EV in about 6 to 9 hours, and upgrading to a 15 amp socket adds over 220 km of range overnight. If your daily drive is short, the smaller option may be all you need. The EV charging time calculator runs your numbers.
In an apartment or townhouse complex
Start with the executive committee or building manager, with the electrician's plan in hand. Under the ACT's unit titles law they can't block a charger without good reason, but the installation and how the power is billed still need agreeing.
Load management is what makes chargers work in a shared building. The ACT Government says it stops EV chargers adding to the building's peak load, using spare capacity overnight or in the middle of the day instead.
Loans for the charger
The ACT Sustainable Household Scheme offers loans of $2,000 to $20,000 at 3% interest over up to 10 years, and EV charging infrastructure is on its eligible list. Home Energy Support participants get the loan at zero interest.
To apply, you need to own your home or hold a current driver licence for an EV loan, meet the lender's credit criteria, and attend a free one-hour workshop. EV charger rebates and programs compares what's on offer elsewhere.
What to ask the installer
- Will this charger suit my current supply, or does it need a Basic Design Application?
- How will it share the board with the cooktop, heat pump and solar?
- Can it charge from my solar during the day?
- In a complex: does the building have load management, or need it?
- Will you lodge the certificate of electrical safety and send me a copy?
Our advice for Canberra
We'd start with how far you actually drive, then pick the smallest charger that covers it. At 7 kW or under, you'll likely avoid a supply change. If you want more, allow for Evoenergy's design timeline and get the application in early. In a complex, take the plan to the committee before you buy the car, not after.
Want a specialist to sort it?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match the licence-checked local electrician who does this kind of work, and they call you. No ring-around, and your number goes to them alone.