EV charging backbone is a term that has become common language in the strata apartment space. It is generally the first step in future proofing a building for electric vehicle charging.
What is an EV Charging Backbone?
Definition
An EV Charging Backbone is the core electrical and data infrastructure that distributes power throughout a car park, enabling individual owners to cost-effectively install an EV charger in the future.
Key Components of an EV Charging Backbone
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Cabling & Conduits | Distributes electricity and data throughout the car park |
| Load Management System | Balances power usage to prevent overloading |
| Switchboard Upgrades | Ensures electrical capacity for multiple chargers |
| Smart Metering & Billing | Allows fair electricity usage tracking |
| Conduit & Cable Tray | Protects wiring and simplifies future installations |
By installing the backbone first, owners can connect their chargers when they need them, rather than forcing all residents to install chargers at once.
Why Install an EV Charging Backbone?
You might be thinking, why can’t we just let the one owner who has a Tesla to pay for their own charger to be wired to their space. There are a number of reasons why that is not a recommended approach.
Reasons for Apartment Buildings to install EV Backbone
1. Lower Upfront Costs
If each person installs their own infrastructure, in the long-term the building will end up spending multiples of what they would have spent with a collaborative approach. Additionally, it is highly likely that early installations may need to be removed and replaced to accommodate a whole of building solution in the future.
2. Fair and Equitable Access to Power For All Owners
In the many buildings we have assessed, we’ve almost never come across a building that had sufficient spare power to allow every owner to install their own EV charger. This means most buildings will hit their power supply capacity before all owners have had a chance to install an EV charger.
An EV Backbone usually includes a load management system which will enable a fleet of EV chargers to be throttled back below power constraints meaning all owners can install an EV charger.
3. Future-Proof Investment
Apartments can be listed as “EV charging ready”, increasing property value and attractiveness as a rental. The number of Electric Vehicle owners in Australia is increasing exponentially and this will soon be a crucial decision making factor for prospective buyers.
4. Reduced Disruption and Switchboard Modifications
No one likes having tradesmen working in their carparks. Completing the EV Backbone means that the majority of works are completed upfront and only an hour or two is required to installed each individual charger when each owner is ready. EV charger installations require switchboard modifications, cable trays and runs through carpark and concrete cutting. It is best if this is all done at once rather than potentially 10s of different contractors completing it individually.
How To Design A EV Backbone For Your Building?
There are a number of factors that need to be considered and evaluated to design the optimal EV backbone for a residential apartment building. These include:
- Location of the individual and common property meters
- Power supply available to the building (requires a data logger to be installed on incoming mains)
- Location of parking bays and cable run requirement to connect to switchboard
- Owner’s preferences on charging speeds (level 1 or level 2 charging requires different infrastructure)
- Options for billing software to charge end-user if EV chargers are connected to common property meter
There is no short-cut to getting a qualified consultant to evaluate these options for you in an EV Charging Feasibility Study. This will always required a detailed site survey from a qualified electrician and connecting a data logger to the incoming mains.
Get a quote for a feasibility study in your building
Comparing EV Charging Solutions for Apartments
| Feature | EV charging backbone only | Each owner installs their own charger | Shared fast charger in visitor bay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | Medium | Highest | Low |
| Scalability | High | Low | Medium |
| Individual Flexibility | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Future-Proofing | Yes | No | Partial |
| Disruption to Building | Minimal | High | Minimal |
A backbone infrastructure offers the best long-term value by keeping upfront costs low and allowing gradual charger adoption.
Is Your Apartment Building Suitable for an EV Charging Backbone?
Ideal Candidates for Backbone Installation
- Medium-to-large apartment buildings with multiple parking spaces.
- New developments planning for long-term EV adoption.
- Existing strata buildings looking for an affordable, phased EV charging solution.
Buildings That May Need Alternatives
- Low electrical capacity buildings may need additional power upgrades.
- Smaller complexes might benefit from a shared fast charger instead.
Common Questions About EV Charging Infrastructure
How much does it cost to install an EV charging backbone?
Costs vary based on building size, power capacity, and existing infrastructure, but it is significantly cheaper than installing chargers in every bay upfront. See the Ultimate Guide To Apartment EV Charging for more.
Can residents install chargers whenever they need them?
Yes. Once the backbone is installed, any owner can connect a charger at any time, making it cost-effective and future-proof.
What if my building has limited power capacity?
Generally an EV backbone will seek to maximise the potential of the existing power availability in the building avoiding costly and usually unnecessary power supply upgrades.
A feasibility study will determine whether:
- There is sufficient power available to support all owners getting an EV charger
- What other options are available like level 2 charging and visitor bay chargers
- EV Charging in Apartments: Individual vs. Common Meters - 10 February, 2025
- Solar Choice Educational Series on Apartment EV Charging | Ep. 1 | Intro - 10 February, 2025
- EV Backbone | Apartment EV Charging Education Series | Ep 2 of 10 - 10 February, 2025
