Time to take charge

The electric vehicle (EV) market is as yet small with sales of plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and entirely battery powered electric vehicles (PEV) at less than 0.1 percent of personal use vehicle sales. Unlike countries such as the Netherlands and Norway, the governments of which provide substantial financial incentives for EV purchase, registration, parking and running expenses, Australia presently lacks such market stimuli. Notwithstanding the current situation, the EV market will take off and office buildings, shopping and apartment complexes, as well as industrial premises, will need to have EV charging points as part of their parking facilities. Prestigious office buildings are already being equipped with EV chargers, but this is not happening as yet for much existing building stock. This article provides information on charger basics,