Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer a futuristic concept—they’re here. Nissan’s Leaf alone has sold more than 100,000 units worldwide since its launch in 2010, and sales continue to rise as more countries embrace alternatives to fossil fuels.

In Australia, forecasts suggest that 20%–40% of new vehicles could be electric within just a few years. With more models from Nissan, Holden, Mitsubishi, and other manufacturers now on the market, the shift is accelerating.

So what does this mean for strata communities?

Why EVs Matter for Strata Living

As residents adopt EVs, buildings will need to become EV Wired—a term used to describe properties equipped with infrastructure to support charging stations. Unlike single dwellings, strata buildings face the challenge of balancing individual demand with community fairness and shared infrastructure.

The question isn’t if this will become relevant for your scheme—it’s when.

Who Should Pay for Charging Infrastructure?

One of the biggest debates in strata schemes is cost allocation. Should:

• Individual owners cover the full cost of installing charging stations in their private car spaces?
• Or should the owners corporation invest in building-wide upgrades, given that EVs are expected to become the norm?

Each approach has pros and cons:

• Owner-funded installations reduce financial burden on non-EV owners but risk creating patchwork solutions.
• Corporation-funded infrastructure ensures consistency but may be resisted by owners who don’t yet use EVs.

Planning Ahead Is Key

Installing EV charging infrastructure can be a significant investment, particularly in older buildings. Early planning is essential:

• Review your building’s current electrical capacity
• Consider whether upgrades to switchboards or cabling may be needed
• Discuss potential funding models (levies, special contributions, or user-pays systems)
• Update or draft by-laws to cover installation, use, and cost-sharing

While you may not need to act immediately, forward planning ensures your building won’t be caught unprepared.

Metro Strata’s Advice

At Metro Strata, we recommend owners corporations begin conversations about EV readiness now. The technology may still feel optional today, but within a few years, demand will grow rapidly.

Our role is to guide committees through:

• Reviewing infrastructure capacity
• Exploring equitable funding options
• Drafting compliant by-laws to manage installation and usage
• Supporting long-term planning for sustainable upgrades

Final Word

Electric vehicles are coming, and strata schemes must be ready. Whether you already own an EV or are simply planning ahead, starting the conversation about charging infrastructure now will save costs and disputes later.