Charging Ahead: Preparing Our Communities for the EV Future

Charging Ahead: Preparing Our Communities for the EV Future

Across Australia and the globe, electric vehicles are no longer a distant idea; they’re fast becoming the new normal. By 2030, projections show that around 50% of all new cars sold will be electric. With more manufacturers committing to EV models and government incentives making them more affordable, it’s clear that thriving communities will be those that are ready to meet the needs of their residents. 

Being ‘EV ready’ isn’t just about buying cars; it’s about ensuring we have the right electric vehicle charging infrastructure, policies, and community systems in place. At Altogether, we’re leading this transition by delivering infrastructure upgrades and integrating EV charging stations into our multi-utility solutions, which combine energy, water, and data to deliver increased value and resilience to communities.

Why Preparing for Electric Vehicles Matters

The adoption of electric vehicles is accelerating. In fact, EV sales in Australia doubled in 2023 compared with the previous year. With more people looking to reduce emissions, lower fuel costs, and embrace cleaner transport, EV ownership is only going to increase.

For communities, this means rethinking infrastructure. It’s not just about installing electric vehicle chargers in car parks; it’s about planning for an entirely new way residents will interact with their energy and transport systems.

Key reasons communities must prepare include:

• Environmental benefits: EVs drastically reduce tailpipe emissions.

• Growing demand: Buyers increasingly expect EV readiness in new apartments and housing estates.

• Property value uplift: Developments with EV charging options are more attractive to buyers and renters.

• Future compliance: Regulations and building codes are evolving to make EV charging mandatory in new builds, and strata legislation reform is making it easier for owners to install EV charging in their own car park.

Communities that move early will not only meet these demands but also enjoy a competitive edge.

The Multi-Utility Advantage: Integrating Smart Energy, Data and Water

Installing EV charging stations is just the beginning. The real opportunity lies in embedding them into integrated community systems.

At Altogether, we design communities around multi-utility solutions. This means we don’t see EVs in isolation; we combine charging infrastructure with embedded energy networks, renewable energy, and smart water management.

The benefits of this integrated approach include:

• Load management: EV chargers can be coordinated with solar and community batteries to balance demand.

• Efficiency: Combining utilities reduces duplication and adds value.

• Sustainability: Smarter design means lower emissions and better resource use.

• Resilience: Multi-utility systems ensure communities are future-ready, not just for EVs but for broader social and environmental challenges.

By planning for community electric vehicles within multi-utility frameworks, we help developers, strata managers, and residents embrace a seamless transition. 

Altogether’s Proven Approach

Altogether has already delivered several projects that showcase the power of integrated solutions for electric vehicles.

• In Sekisui House’s The Orchards development, we embedded six-car EV charging stations within a master-planned community, showing how scalable and future-proof systems can be.

• We’ve guided strata communities on introducing EV chargers by addressing concerns around cost, fairness, and maintenance.

• Through projects such as Empowering Apartment Living with Clean Energy, we’ve shown how solar, batteries, and EV infrastructure can coexist in high-density living.

These examples prove that with the right planning, electric vehicle chargers can become part of an efficient, future-proofed ecosystem.

FAQ: What types of electric vehicle chargers are available?

Level 1 (slow), Level 2 (faster home/community charging), and DC fast chargers (rapid, commercial). Communities typically choose Level 2 for the balance of speed and affordability.

Preparing Your Community: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re a developer, strata committee, or community manager, here’s how Altogether helps prepare your community for the EV future:

1. Feasibility Assessment

1. Analyse existing energy networks and power capacity.

2. Identify opportunities for solar, battery storage, and embedded energy systems.

2. Infrastructure Planning

1. Choose the right type of electric vehicle chargers (Level 2 or DC fast chargers) based on demand.

2. Plan load balancing to avoid overloading the grid.

3. By-laws and Approvals

1. Support strata committees in drafting EV-friendly by-laws.

2. Provide frameworks for billing and equitable access.

4. Connection

1. Altogether will connect the EV charger into the building's dynamic load management system. 

5. Ongoing Support

1. Manage billing and usage monitoring.

2. Provide maintenance and upgrades as technology evolves.

This step-by-step approach ensures that communities don’t just adopt EVs; they thrive with them.

FAQ: Can EV chargers be added later?

Yes, but embedding electric vehicle charging infrastructure during construction is far more cost-effective. Retrofits can be three to five times more expensive.

FAQ: What funding is available for EV charging?

Government rebates exist in some states, and Altogether provides flexible financing and infrastructure funding options.

FAQ: Will EV charging overload the grid?

Not with smart load management. Altogether integrates charging with renewable energy and embedded networks to balance demand.

Broader Benefits of Integrated EV Infrastructure

The shift to electric vehicle charging infrastructure isn’t just about transport; it creates ripple effects across the entire community.

• Cost savings: Shared infrastructure reduces individual installation costs.

• Energy security: Paired with renewables, EV systems can reduce reliance on the grid.

• Property value uplift: EV-ready buildings are more attractive to buyers and tenants.

• Sustainability credentials: Developers and strata can highlight their commitment to cleaner futures.

When combined with smart energy water systems, the benefits multiply, creating smarter, greener, and more liveable communities.

FAQ: Do EVs still reduce emissions if powered by coal-heavy grids?

Yes. Even with fossil-fuel grids, EVs are more efficient. Pairing them with solar and batteries maximises environmental benefits.

Practical Tips for Strata Managers & Committees

Introducing electric vehicle chargers in strata communities often raises questions about cost, fairness, and practicality. At Altogether, we help committees address:

• Cost distribution: Transparent billing ensures that only users pay for their charges.

• Load management: Demand control avoids network strain.

• Equitable access: Bylaws create fair rules for shared infrastructure.

• Futureproofing: Installing scalable systems avoids expensive retrofits later.

We also run training sessions like “Are You EV Ready?” and “Electric Vehicles in Strata”

course, helping strata managers gain practical tools for implementation.

FAQ: How is charging managed fairly in strata buildings?

Altogether uses individual billing systems and helps committees update bylaws to ensure fair access.

Charging Ahead Together

The shift to electric vehicles is not a question of “if,” but “when.” Communities that act now will attract residents, improve property values, and build resilience for the future.

At Altogether, we don’t just install EV charging stations; we design integrated solutions for electric vehicles that work in harmony with smart energy, water and data systems. By doing so, we help build connected, sustainable, and future-ready places to live.

Are you ready to prepare your community for the EV future? Talk to us today about embedding electric vehicle charging infrastructure into your community.