Apartment dwellers could soon find it easier to charge their electric vehicles (EVs) at home, with NOX Energy announcing a $4.78 million project to roll out nearly 2000 charging points across 16 strata-titled buildings nationwide.

Backed by $1.51 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) under its Driving the Nation Program, the project will use NOX’s patented Intelligent Power Sockets (IPS) to deliver Level 1 charging — a slower but lower-cost option compared with the more common Level 2 systems. NOX says the approach makes charging more affordable for residents and avoids the costly electrical upgrades that often prevent older buildings from installing chargers.

NOX co-founder Wylie Chak said the project aimed to “break down one of the biggest barriers to EV ownership” by making home charging available to apartment residents who have so far missed out. The model works on a user-pays basis, with drivers billed for their own electricity plus a service fee, ensuring non-EV owners are not subsidising charging costs.

The initiative comes amid growing tension in strata communities over EV charging. Reports have surfaced of owners corporations opposing installations on the grounds of safety, fire risk, and shared costs. An ABC investigation in late 2024 revealed that some residents had been banned from plugging cars into ordinary wall sockets in their own garages. Critics argued that without a clear framework, many strata committees were defaulting to “no”, leaving EV-driving residents with no practical home charging option.

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Industry experts note that without strata-friendly solutions, EV uptake risks stalling. Apartment residents make up nearly one in 10 Australians, and without access to charging at home, many are left reliant on public infrastructure. Writing on SolarQuotes, energy commentator Ronald Brakels described the resistance from some strata bodies as a major barrier: “If you can’t charge where you live, owning an EV quickly becomes impractical.”

The NOX rollout will test a mix of new and existing apartment complexes, with sites ranging from minor electrical upgrades to full retrofits. Where rooftop solar is available, the company plans to encourage charging during high-generation periods to reduce costs and boost renewable energy use.

ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the project showed how Australian innovation could address a “real-world barrier” to decarbonising transport. Independent research partners, including the Electric Vehicle Council, will monitor the trial and publish data to help shape future policy and guide strata communities grappling with the issue.