NOX Energy has announced it has received funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) under the Driving the Nation Program to deliver one of Australia’s largest Level 1 electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure rollouts, enabling convenient and affordable EV charging for residents in strata-titled apartments across the country.
Backed by a total project investment of $4.78 million, including $1.51 million from ARENA, the initiative — Accelerating EV Adoption by Unlocking Charging for Strata Residents — will provide equitable home charging for apartment residents without the need for costly building upgrades.
“Our mission is to democratise access to EVs, and this rollout will transform apartment living for thousands of residents who want to drive electric,” said Charlie Richardson, Chief Operating Officer at NOX Energy.
“Our model removes cost and complexity for strata communities, providing affordable and accessible EV charging for older complexes and new builds.”
Over the next three years, NOX Energy plans to install nearly 2,000 of its Level 1 Intelligent Power Sockets (IPS) across 16 apartment buildings nationwide.
Unlike Level 2 chargers commonly available on the market, the company’s Level 1 model offers a lower-cost alternative that allows residents to charge their vehicles conveniently while parked at home, making EV ownership more affordable.
The rollout will extend across both new developments and existing apartment complexes, requiring upgrades ranging from minor electrical work to full infrastructure retrofits.
Each site will contribute to a comprehensive real-world demonstration of EV charging in diverse strata environments.
Where rooftop solar is available, NOX Energy will also pilot smart load-shifting behaviours that encourage residents to charge during periods of high solar export to boost self-consumption and reduce costs.
“NOX Energy is an innovative, proudly Australian company that delivers turn-key solutions through our proprietary hardware and software,” said Wylie Chak, Co-founder and Director at NOX Energy.
“This grant is the validation of years of development, testing, and installation.
“With ARENA’s support, we can begin to break down one of the biggest barriers to EV ownership.
“We will deliver nearly 2,000 smart charging points across Australia, expanding reliable and affordable access to EV charging at home – an important first step toward serving the millions who live in apartments. For too long, apartment living has had limited access to charging.”
The company’s model employs a fair, user-pays approach in which EV drivers cover their own electricity costs at the strata retail tariff plus a small service fee.
Owners corporations receive full reimbursement, ensuring that residents without EVs do not subsidise charging.
Installations are designed to be minimally invasive, leveraging NOX Energy’s patented IPS and cloud-based management platform to enable secure access, measured billing, and smart load management.
Independent research partners, including the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC), will survey residents, monitor system performance, and publish insights to guide policymakers, industry stakeholders, and strata communities in expanding EV accessibility.
“NOX Energy’s project is a great example of Australian innovation tackling real-world barriers to electric vehicle adoption,” said Darren Miller, CEO at ARENA.
“By supporting low-cost, scalable charging solutions for apartment residents, ARENA is helping to unlock new pathways for decarbonising transport and making EV ownership more accessible to millions of Australians.”
Project partners include property developer HENNY; strata managers Stratablox, Mayfield, and Tideways; Owners Corporations, The Anchorage, Middle Burke, Belmont Clayton, and Sierra Hawthorn; technology partners MiMOR and MOX; and independent advisor Wattblock.
