EV charging company ReadySteadyPlug has secured a AU$1.51 million funding boost from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to accelerate the rollout of affordable EV chargers in apartments.
The funding was awarded under ARENA’s ‘Driving the Nation’ program, aimed at solving the strata hurdle that has long hindered EV adoption in high-density housing.
Combined with private contributions, the funding creates a AU$3.49 million pool to roll out ReadySteadyPlug’s Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) model across the country.
Installing EV infrastructure in older apartment blocks has traditionally been a nightmare for Owners Corporations, often requiring six-figure switchboard upgrades and complex wiring.
ReadySteadyPlug’s solution bypasses these barriers by utilising “smart” Level 1 charging, effectively high-tech standard power outlets.
The system uses cloud-based metering and smartphone access to automate billing, ensuring that only those who use the chargers pay for them. The platform also features dynamic load management to protect the building’s power supply from overloading during peak times.
ReadySteadyPlug CEO Jukka Sintonen said the model was designed to be equitable for all residents.
“We know that a lack of access to charging infrastructure at home can be a huge barrier to EV uptake for the millions of Australians that live in apartment buildings.
“Our pay-as-you-go, affordable charging technology and infrastructure changes that, providing an accessible EV charging solution designed specifically for apartment buildings,” Sintonen said.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller noted that the project addresses a crucial gap in the national network. With over 4.2 million Australians living in strata titled properties, providing a scalable blueprint for home charging is seen as essential to meeting national emissions targets.
“ARENA’s funding will help to tackle this challenge by demonstrating solutions that lower the cost and complexity of EV charger installation. This will provide a replicable and scalable blueprint for other strata and apartment communities to follow,” Miller said.
While Level 1 charging is slower than public superchargers, it is perfectly suited for residential use.
A single 10-hour overnight charge provides roughly 200 kilometres of range, far exceeding the 30 kilometres the average Australian drives daily.
