At Planit Charge, we speak with electricians about EV charging every day. The market is booming, but so are the myths. From installation complexity to compliance requirements, misinformation is common.
Here are the questions we’re asked most often, along with the facts you need.
Which Buildings Require EV Charging?
Under the 2022 update to the National Construction Code (NCC 2022), all new commercial, retail, hospitality and high-density residential buildings must include EV charging infrastructure.
This means:
- Dedicated Electric Vehicle Distribution Boards
- Cable pathways from those boards to the car parks
- An EV Controller or Load Management System to manage the charging system
This is a compliance requirement, not an optional upgrade.
What About Existing Buildings?
There is no legal requirement to retrofit pre-2022 buildings.
However, thousands of existing sites are installing EV chargers to meet tenant and customer demand.
A common misconception is that major, expensive switchboard upgrades are required. In most cases, they are not. Modern load management systems ensure chargers only draw available capacity and prevent overload of existing infrastructure.
Is Billing Complicated?
It used to be. It is not anymore.
Significant research and development has gone into EV billing platforms. Smart integration now makes billing straightforward, whether for public users, staff or residents. Solutions exist to suit every commercial model.
Can Any Meter Be Used for Billing?
No.
From April 1st, all chargers connected to a billing platform must use an approved meter.
As with many emerging technologies, early variability has moved toward standardisation. Using approved meters ensures accurate and fair charging for users nationwide.
How Critical Is Internet Connectivity?
Very.
Without reliable communications, you cannot:
- Process payments
- Enable billing
- Report usage data
- Provide remote monitoring
- Run diagnostics or firmware updates
- Integrate with apps or charging networks
Without connectivity, a smart charger becomes a basic one.
What Technical Issues Should You Watch?
Beyond connection strength, consider:
- Connection TypeWill the charger use its own 4G modem, or connect to the client’s internet network?
- Static IP RequirementsSome backend systems require a fixed static IP address for reliable communication.
- Firewall RestrictionsWhen using an internal network, firewalls can block communication. IT configuration may be required.
- OCPP CompatibilityOCPP, the Open Charge Point Protocol, is the language chargers use to communicate withbackend software. The charger and billing platform must support the same OCPP version. If theydo not, reporting, billing and remote control functions will fail.