EV Charging Archives - Owners Corporation Network

NSW removes strata blocking vote on EV chargers and rooftop solar for apartments

Jane McIlroy2025-08-18T09:37:08+10:00

Key barriers have been removed for electric vehicle chargers and rooftop solar to be installed in apartments and other strata developments in NSW, as new laws that prescribe what strata committees can and can’t refuse take effect. OCN Chair and Director Fred Tuckwell told Renew Economy “I believe it has made it a fair bit easier for people because just the words saying you only need a simple majority… the optics are [...]

NSW removes strata blocking vote on EV chargers and rooftop solar for apartmentsJane McIlroy2025-08-18T09:37:08+10:00

Insurance Challenges for Owners Corporations: The EV Fire Risk Dilemma

Jane McIlroy2025-08-18T09:52:10+10:00

A new challenge has emerged for Owners Corporations managing apartment buildings and strata complexes. As EV ownership increases, these bodies are facing growing difficulties securing insurance coverage that adequately addresses the perceived fire risks associated with electric vehicles and their charging infrastructure. Fred Tuckwell, chair of the Owners Corporation Network advocacy group, notes that attitudes toward EV charging within Australia’s 1.2 million strata committees often follow broader political trends, creating additional [...]

Insurance Challenges for Owners Corporations: The EV Fire Risk DilemmaJane McIlroy2025-08-18T09:52:10+10:00

What happened next when a couple requested approval for EV charging ?

Jane McIlroy2025-05-15T17:33:13+10:00

What happened when a husband-and-wife strata owner requested approval for EV charging next to their basement car park? In this recent case in Queensland, they were denied – a decision upheld by an adjudicator. It’s a significant case for owners everywhere and highlights the challenges around EV approvals in strata. Read the case here, and then, click the link below, listen to OCN Board Director and Joint Managing Director Chris Irons [...]

What happened next when a couple requested approval for EV charging ?Jane McIlroy2025-05-15T17:33:13+10:00

Strata owners are increasingly banning electric vehicles from charging in apartment carparks

Jane McIlroy2024-12-18T12:21:21+11:00

Strata owners are increasingly banning electric vehicles (EVs) from charging in apartment basement carparks, citing a perceived risk of battery fires writes Technology reporter James Purtill in a recent article on abc.net.au EV fire safety researchers say the risk is no greater than for petrol and diesel cars and such concerns are fed by misinformation, but state fire authorities urge caution These conflicting messages around EV fire safety are generating confusion [...]

Strata owners are increasingly banning electric vehicles from charging in apartment carparksJane McIlroy2024-12-18T12:21:21+11:00

Miguel bought a car – then there was a $2000 cost to charge it

Jane McIlroy2024-12-16T12:51:27+11:00

A recent article in the SMH highlighted the high costs that some apartment buildings are imposing on residents who simply want to charge their EVs. And the apartment owners’ peak body, the Owners Corporation Network (OCN), chair Fred Tuckwell agrees, saying both strata owners and tenants should be free to use their EVs. “We are advocating for a right to charge,” he said. “There should be a set of criteria that, [...]

Miguel bought a car – then there was a $2000 cost to charge itJane McIlroy2024-12-16T12:51:27+11:00

The brutal world of owners corporations – and how to get them to electrify apartments

Shari Driver - Chief Executive Officer - OCN2024-12-13T09:27:53+11:00

Fred Tuckwell, strata management expert and board chair of the Owners Corporation Network (OCN) spoke to the Fifth Estate recently about OCN's clear sustainability vision, aimed at creating “a better future in residential strata and community living and ownership … [with] resilient, empowered communities living in climate ready, defect free buildings.” OCN have assisted the NSW Government in creating guidelines for making strata buildings EV ready. Read Full Article: https://thefifthestate.com.au/energy-lead/the-brutal-world-of-owners-corporations-and-how-to-get-them-to-electrify-apartments/ Related Content: [...]

The brutal world of owners corporations – and how to get them to electrify apartmentsShari Driver - Chief Executive Officer - OCN2024-12-13T09:27:53+11:00

Fire authorities’ risk to Electric Vehicle charging in Apartment buildings

OCN Executive Director2024-06-25T09:38:19+10:00

The decision by the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council Limited (AFAC), and by various fire services across the country, to designate electric vehicles as ‘special hazards’, imposes elaborate and expensive fire protection requirements on residential strata buildings. This position appears to have been made without adequate consultation or an analysis of the risk and benefits across the community. OCN joins the Electric Vehicle Council to call on: • AFAC [...]

Fire authorities’ risk to Electric Vehicle charging in Apartment buildingsOCN Executive Director2024-06-25T09:38:19+10:00

Two Blokes Talking Techpodcast: this time talking Tech: E-mobiltiy devices

Jane McIlroy2024-03-28T18:30:46+11:00

Two blokes podcast talk Strata with Chair Fred Tuckwell and how EVs are being considered in Apartments, the rules, issues, myths and support you can get if you live in an apartment Listen here > https://www.theleader.com.au/story/8522957/cheap-damaged-e-scooters-may-be-banned-in-apartments/ Related content:> https://ocn.org.au/e-bike-fire-risk-expert-webinar/

Two Blokes Talking Techpodcast: this time talking Tech: E-mobiltiy devicesJane McIlroy2024-03-28T18:30:46+11:00

Demand for more EV charging stations across Sydney suburbs

OCN Executive Director2023-05-16T09:58:53+10:00

12 APRIL 2023 Sydney’s North Shore and eastern suburbs apartment dwellers are stuck in a catch-22 where they can afford an electric vehicle but have nowhere at home to charge it. They say more education is needed for strata committees and while the Labor federal government is moving in the right direction, there is still much more that can be done to stop Australia being a “massive graveyard” for high-emission vehicles. [...]

Demand for more EV charging stations across Sydney suburbsOCN Executive Director2023-05-16T09:58:53+10:00

‘This is evolving quickly’: City of Sydney accelerates switch to electric vehicles

OCN Executive Director2023-05-24T14:15:09+10:00

13 FEBRUARY 2023 The City of Sydney will require all new apartment buildings to accommodate electric vehicle chargers in car spaces and look to retrofit existing residential blocks with charging stations under a plan to spur the uptake of the technology as the council pushes to reach net zero emissions by 2035. Owners Corporation Network chairman Fred Tuckwell said apartment owners racing to future-proof their blocks by installing EV chargers often [...]

‘This is evolving quickly’: City of Sydney accelerates switch to electric vehiclesOCN Executive Director2023-05-24T14:15:09+10:00