The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) just put $1.51 million behind ReadySteadyPlug, a Sydney company that solves apartment EV charging with smart power outlets instead of expensive wall boxes.
ARENA announced the grant on 29 April 2026 through its Driving the Nation Program. The funding will roll out up to 428 new charge points across Australian strata buildings.
If you live in an apartment and you want to drive electric, that news matters to you. More than 4.2 million Australians live in strata complexes. Most of them have been shut out of home charging up to now. ReadySteadyPlug wants to change that.
While PSC Energy does not install ReadySteadyPlug (at least, not yet), we do keep out ear out for any EV charging-related news.
In this article, you’ll learn about the following:
- What ReadySteadyPlug Means for Apartment EV Charging
- How Fast Does ReadySteadyPlug Charge an EV in an Apartment?
- What Apartment EV Charging Costs You as a Resident
- What Day-to-Day EV Charging in Apartments Looks Like
- ARENA EV Charging Funding
- How to Bring Up Apartment EV Charging with Your Strata Committee
- What You Need to Provide for EV Charging in Apartments Australia
- When ReadySteadyPlug Isn’t the Right Apartment EV Charging Solution for You
- FAQ: Apartments With EV Charging in Australia
By the end of this article, you’ll know how the platform works, what your routine will feel like, and what it costs you as a resident.
What ReadySteadyPlug Means for Apartment EV Charging
ReadySteadyPlug is a smart Level 1 charging system designed for strata car parks. Level 1 charging uses a standard 230 to 240 volt power outlet, like the ones in your kitchen. The system adds smart features to make charging easier and more secure.
Here’s what gets installed:
- A weatherproof power point at each EV bay.
- A central electrical cabinet (called an EV distribution board, or EVDB) in a building’s electrical room.
- Smartphone access control so only the right user can start a charge at a given outlet.
- Cloud-based metering that tracks every kWh delivered.
- Automated billing that links each session to a user account.
- Dynamic Load Management (DLM) to keep total EV demand below the building’s supply limit.
You provide your own portable charging cable, plug it into the outlet at your parking bay and your car, and the system takes care of the rest.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about public charging stations, you might want to check out the following article titled, Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Guide 2026.
How Fast Does ReadySteadyPlug Charge an EV in an Apartment?
Many people worry about charging speed. Level 1 charging is slower than using a wall box.
- A 10-amp outlet delivers about 2.4 kW, or roughly 10 to 15 km of range per hour.
- A 15-amp outlet delivers about 3.6 kW, or up to 20 km of range per hour.
- A 10-hour overnight charge at 15A adds 150-200 km of range.
Here’s what matters: the average Australian drives about 30 km per day. One overnight charge can cover more than five days of typical driving.
Most apartment EV owners don’t need to fully recharge every night; they just need a regular top-up while they sleep, which Level 1 charging provides.
Slower charging also keeps your battery cooler, which is better for its long-term health. Your battery will likely last longer compared to someone who uses DC fast chargers frequently.
What Apartment EV Charging Costs You as a Resident
You pay for the electricity you use, and nothing else.
ReadySteadyPlug uses a charging-as-a-service model. The system measures every kilowatt-hour you use and bills it to your account.
Each quarter, your owners’ corporation is reimbursed for the electricity used from the building’s common power supply.
A few things shape your final per-kWh rate:
- The building’s electricity tariff (which sets the base rate).
- Time-of-use pricing if the building enables it (cheaper overnight).
- Any small platform or admin fee the building chooses to pass through.
Each building negotiates its own terms with ReadySteadyPlug, so the price per kilowatt-hour can vary. However, the main principle is always the same: residents without an EV do not pay for EV charging.
If you’re interested in learning more about EV chargers, you might want to check out this guide titled, The 10 Best Home EV Chargers in Australia.
What Day-to-Day EV Charging in Apartments Looks Like
Charging your car in an apartment is much like charging at a house. You park in your spot, plug in, and go upstairs. The system takes care of everything else.
- Pull into your assigned bay.
- Plug your portable cable into the weatherproof outlet.
- Plug the other end into your car.
- Scan the QR code on the outlet, or open the ReadySteadyPlug app.
- Tap start, then head to your apartment.
While you sleep, the system tracks your kWh and bills you for what you use. If the building’s electrical load gets high (people cooking, heating, air conditioning), the platform may slow your charge or pause it for a stretch. You won’t notice. Your car still has enough range by morning.
This beats a public charger every time, because public chargers cost time as well as money. You sit in your car for 30 to 60 minutes, you queue behind other drivers, and you pay a higher per-kWh rate.
Plugging in at home means you never plan your week around charging.
ARENA EV Charging Funding
Straight answer: No, the grant won’t pay for your building specifically.
The $1.51 million from ARENA goes to ReadySteadyPlug to scale up the platform across Australia. Customer contributions and ReadySteadyPlug’s own funds bring the total project budget to $3.49 million. The money funds up to 428 charge points across participating sites, not a cheque to every building that installs the system.
Here’s what the ARENA grant actually does for you as a resident:
- Validates that ReadySteadyPlug solves a real, recognised problem.
- Signals the platform isn’t going anywhere.
- Gives strata committees a credible reason to take the conversation seriously.
- Helps lower per-site costs across the rollout, which can flow through in pricing.
In summary, the grant does not directly fund your building, but it gives you a stronger case when you ask your committee to consider ReadySteadyPlug.
If you live in an apartment and want to purchase an EV, you might want to check out the following article titled, ReadySteadyPlug EV Charging for Apartments In NSW.
How to Bring Up Apartment EV Charging with Your Strata Committee
Many apartment EV owners worry about bringing up this topic. They imagine a tense meeting and little support from other residents.
The good news is that ReadySteadyPlug is designed to make the discussion easier. It directly answers the two main questions that often stop apartment EV charging projects:
- “Who pays for the power?” Each user pays for their own kWh. Non-EV owners pay nothing.
- “Will the building trip breakers every night?” Dynamic Load Management caps total EV demand automatically below the building’s limit.
- “What if more residents want to charge later?” The platform scales. New users register without major rewiring.
- “How do we handle billing disputes?” Every kWh logs to a user account. The data settles arguments.
When you bring up the topic, start by mentioning the ARENA grant and that 4.2 million Australians already live in strata buildings. Present it as a change that is coming sooner or later. Then highlight the user-pays billing model. The idea that only users pay for charging often helps convince even the most hesitant committee members.
What You Need to Provide for EV Charging in Apartments Australia
ReadySteadyPlug supplies the outlets and the platform. You supply the cable.
- A portable EV charging cable (sometimes called an EVSE).
- Most new EVs include a basic 10A cable in the boot.
- A 15A-capable cable charges nearly twice as fast as a 10A cable.
- A 15A cable only delivers full speed if your outlet supports 15A.
Check with your building manager to find out which type of outlet is in your parking bay before buying a new cable. Some buildings have only 10A outlets, others have 15A, and it’s best to match your cable to the outlet to avoid unnecessary costs.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about charging your EV from solar, you might want to check out the following article titled, Considerations for Charging Your Electric Vehicles with Solar.
When ReadySteadyPlug Isn’t the Right Apartment EV Charging Solution for You
Consider your own needs before deciding. Level 1 charging is not suitable for everyone.
- You drive more than 150 km a day on average.
- You often need a fast top-up before an evening trip.
- You park in your bay only for short windows.
- You take regular long road trips without much warning.
- Your building’s residents want a Level 2 wall box in every bay from day one.
If any of these situations apply to you, consider a Level 2 wall box (about 7 kW), public DC fast charging, or another charging solution. Level 1 charging may not meet your needs.
Wrapping Up: Power Points, Not Power Struggles
ReadySteadyPlug isn’t a magic bullet, but it’s the most realistic apartment EV charging solution most NSW buildings have right now. The ARENA grant adds real momentum and credibility.
If you live in an apartment and you want an EV at home, your next step isn’t to fight your strata. Start a conversation, bring the ARENA news with you, and let the user-pays billing model do most of the persuading.
PSC Energy does not install ReadySteadyPlug. We have years of experience helping NSW homeowners with rooftop solar, batteries, and EV-ready upgrades, and we stay informed about platforms like this to provide clear advice when residents ask.
If you want to discuss your home energy setup as an apartment resident, contact us. We will help you decide what is worth your investment. It’s what we do.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about bidirectional considerations, you might want to check out the following article titled, Solar Batteries vs. Electric Car Batteries: Which One Should Power My Home?
FAQ: Apartments With EV Charging in Australia
What is ReadySteadyPlug?
ReadySteadyPlug is a smart Level 1 EV charging platform built for Australian apartment buildings. It layers metering, billing, smartphone access control, and load management onto standard power outlets so each driver pays only for their own use.
Is EV charging in apartments Australia practical at Level 1 speeds?
Yes, for most drivers. The average Australian drives about 30 km per day, and a single overnight charge at 15A delivers up to 200 km of range. Heavy daily drivers may need a faster solution.
Does the ARENA Australia EV charging grant cover my building?
No. The $1.51 million grant funds ReadySteadyPlug’s national rollout of up to 428 charge points across participating sites. Buildings negotiate commercial terms directly with ReadySteadyPlug.
Can apartments with EV charging avoid breaker trips?
Yes. ReadySteadyPlug’s Dynamic Load Management tracks total building demand in real time and adjusts EV charging to stay under the building’s supply limit. Sessions throttle or pause automatically when needed.
How do I propose ReadySteadyPlug to my strata committee?
Lead with the ARENA grant and the user-pays billing model. Most committee resistance comes from concerns about shared costs and electrical safety, and the platform solves both by design.
What cable do I need for apartment EV charging?
You need a portable EVSE cable that matches the outlet at your bay. A 15A-capable cable charges nearly twice as fast as a 10A cable, but only if your outlet supports 15A. Confirm with your building manager before you buy.
