A Canberra apartment building is tackling one of the practical barriers to electric vehicle adoption, with charging infrastructure giving owners across its 254 apartments the option to connect in their designated parking space.
NOX Energy and ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr have launched the installation at The Griffin in Parkes, described by NOX Energy as Australia’s second-largest EV-enabled apartment building.
For organisations planning to introduce take-home electric vehicles, the project highlights why charging access needs to be part of the conversation with drivers before vehicles are ordered.
More than 90 residents have already opted in to pay for and install a NOX Energy Intelligent Power Socket (IPS). The first installation phase is operating, with the full building rollout scheduled for completion by mid-November.
The shared infrastructure allows residents to connect as their needs change, without requiring another building-wide retrofit each time an owner decides to go electric.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the project demonstrated how apartment communities could prepare for growing EV ownership.
“As more Canberrans choose electric vehicles, we need practical charging solutions for people who live in apartments. The Griffin demonstrates how owners’ corporations can work together to enable charging infrastructure across a building, making it easier for residents to connect when they choose. It’s an example of sensible planning that supports the transition to cleaner transport.”
Preparing before the vehicle arrives
The Griffin’s owners voted to install a building-wide solution, creating a pathway for residents who already own an EV and those considering one in the future.
Alena Nolan, Head of Sales at NOX Energy, said many residents who had committed to an installation did not yet own an electric vehicle.
“At The Griffin, over 35% of residents have already opted in to pay for and install a NOX Energy IPS in their own parking space, many of whom do not yet have an EV. That is a strong commitment from this community and shows how much residents value the ability to charge at home. By installing the backbone across the car park now, we can connect more residents as demand grows. Whether they choose an EV today or in years to come, the infrastructure will be ready.”
Through NOX Energy’s partnership with MSI, residents can also access an MSI EZgo 15A portable charger, compatible with the IPS, at a reduced price.
Carolyn Cole, Chair of the Executive Committee at The Griffin, said the owners wanted an approach that could serve the community over time.
“Our owners wanted something fair and future-proof. Now every owner has the option, today or in ten years’ time.”
A practical consideration for Fleet Managers
For Fleet Managers, Sustainability Managers and Finance Managers, access to home charging can influence the suitability and operating costs of a take-home EV.
A driver with a designated apartment parking space may still need approval and shared electrical infrastructure before charging can be installed. Understanding those arrangements early helps an organisation assess whether home, workplace or public charging will support the vehicle’s daily duties.
The Griffin provides an example of how a collective building decision can create options for individual drivers. However, organisations still need to confirm each employee’s charging arrangements, expected installation timing and responsibility for equipment and electricity costs.
Including these questions in a fleet assessment can help identify suitable vehicles and drivers for an initial rollout, while giving other employees time to resolve charging access.
Part of a wider strata rollout
The Griffin installation forms part of NOX Energy’s Accelerating EV Adoption: Unlocking EVs for Strata Residents project, supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s Driving the Nation Program.
The project aims to bring nearly 2,000 EV chargers to strata buildings across Australia. According to NOX Energy, The Griffin rollout takes the project past 750 chargers installed.
The Canberra launch follows the launch of charging at Sierra Hawthorn in Melbourne in March, which NOX Energy says remains Australia’s largest EV-enabled apartment building.
For fleets, these projects show how apartment charging infrastructure can broaden the pool of drivers able to consider an EV. Building that understanding into fleet planning gives organisations a clearer picture of where electric vehicles can fit today and what preparation is needed for future replacements.
