EV charging solutions for homes, businesses and industrial sites
ADS Solar provides EV charging solutions for Australian homes, workplaces, commercial properties, fleets and industrial sites. We can also design charging around residential solar, commercial solar, battery storage and site load management.
EV charging solutions across residential, commercial and industrial properties
EV charging needs change with the property and the vehicle. A home may need one smart AC charger. A workplace may need multiple shared chargers. A fleet depot may require managed AC charging, DC fast charging or staged infrastructure for future vehicles.
Residential EV charging
Dedicated charging for houses, townhouses and suitable strata properties, with solar-aware and smart charging options.
Commercial EV charging
Charging for offices, retail sites, hospitality, visitor parking, staff vehicles and commercial fleets.
Industrial EV charging
Charging infrastructure for warehouses, depots, logistics, service vehicles and high-use industrial sites.
AC and DC EV charging explained
Charging speed depends on the charger, the vehicle’s maximum charge rate, battery state of charge and electrical supply. The largest charger is not always the best choice.
| Charging type | Typical power | Common applications | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 AC | Up to about 2.4kW from a standard outlet | Occasional or lower-distance home charging | Slow charging; use a safe, suitable outlet and avoid extension leads or power boards. |
| Level 2 AC | Typically 7–22kW | Homes, workplaces, apartments, car parks and destination charging | Vehicle AC limit, phase supply, switchboard capacity and parking duration. |
| Level 3 DC | About 25–350kW | Fleet depots, rapid turnaround sites, public charging and selected commercial locations | High site power demand, vehicle DC capability, network capacity and project cost. |
Charging ranges are general guidance only. Actual charging speed depends on the vehicle, charger, battery temperature, state of charge and electrical infrastructure.
Residential EV charging for Australian homes
For many EV owners, home is the main charging location. A dedicated Level 2 EV charger can provide faster and more controllable charging than a standard power point.
A home charger is commonly rated between 7kW and 22kW. The usable charging rate still depends on the vehicle’s onboard AC charger and the home’s electrical supply.
- Single-phase and three-phase charger options
- Smart scheduling and off-peak charging
- Solar-aware charging where supported
- Load management to protect household supply
- Battery and future energy planning
Do you need 7kW, 11kW or 22kW charging?
The answer depends on the vehicle and the property. For example, a 22kW charger will not make a vehicle charge at 22kW if the vehicle can only accept 11kW AC.
Parking time matters too. If the EV is parked overnight, a lower AC charging rate may still provide enough energy for normal daily driving.
ADS Solar can review the vehicle, electrical supply and future charging needs before recommending a charger size.
Charge an EV with rooftop solar
Solar can reduce the amount of grid electricity used for EV charging when the vehicle is connected while the solar system is generating. Smart charging can help align vehicle charging with available solar production.
Residential solar + EV
Use suitable daytime solar generation to support home EV charging.
Explore residential solar →Commercial solar + EV
Coordinate workplace or fleet charging with daytime business solar generation.
Explore commercial solar →Industrial solar + EV
Plan large-site solar generation alongside fleet and depot charging demand.
Explore industrial solar →Solar + battery + EV charging
Battery storage can form part of an integrated energy strategy. The battery may store suitable solar generation, support household or business loads, and interact with EV charging depending on the system controls.
However, an EV battery is large compared with many stationary batteries. Charging strategy should therefore consider which energy source is most valuable at each time.
Combine EV charging with solar and battery storage
ADS Solar can assess the complete site rather than treating the EV charger as an isolated appliance.
- Solar generation available for charging
- Home or commercial battery capacity
- EV charging schedule
- Peak site demand
- Grid import limits
- Future EV numbers
EV charging for apartments and strata buildings
Apartment EV charging needs additional planning because parking areas and electrical infrastructure are shared. Residents may also need approval from the owners corporation or strata body before installation.
Personal parking-bay charger
A suitable resident may be able to install a dedicated charger where approval, cabling and metering arrangements allow.
Shared charging infrastructure
Buildings can plan multiple chargers and shared infrastructure to avoid repeated upgrades as EV ownership grows.
Dynamic load management
Load-management systems can reduce simultaneous charger power to keep total building demand within available capacity.
Commercial EV charging for workplaces and customer parking
Workplace chargers can support staff vehicles, visitors, customers and fleet vehicles. The charging design should reflect how long vehicles stay parked and how many may need to charge at once.
Office charging
AC charging can suit staff vehicles parked for several hours during the workday.
Retail and hospitality
Destination charging can provide a service for customers while they visit the site.
Fleet charging
Fleet vehicles need charging schedules based on daily kilometres, return-to-base times and next-shift requirements.
Shared chargers
User access, billing, reporting and charger availability may need to be managed across multiple drivers.
Industrial EV charging for fleets, depots and logistics sites
Industrial charging can create large new electrical loads. The design should consider vehicle duty cycles, dwell time, charger power, site maximum demand, network capacity and staged expansion.
Depot charging
Return-to-base fleets can often charge during predictable parking windows, allowing scheduled and managed charging.
DC fast charging
Higher-power DC charging may suit vehicles that need a shorter turnaround time, subject to vehicle and site capability.
Staged infrastructure
Cabling, switchboards and charger locations can be planned for future fleet growth rather than only today’s vehicles.
Solar integration
Large commercial or industrial solar can help supply charging loads during suitable daytime periods.
Battery integration
Commercial storage may support a wider site energy strategy, including selected demand management applications.
Energy monitoring
Monitoring can help track charger consumption, site demand and energy use across vehicles or charging groups.
Will EV charging require a switchboard or electrical supply upgrade?
Possibly. EV chargers are significant electrical loads, especially when several chargers operate together. A qualified assessment should check the existing supply before installation.
Available electrical capacity
Existing household or site loads need to be considered alongside the proposed charger load.
Switchboard condition
The switchboard may require additional protection equipment, space or an upgrade depending on the installation.
Load management
Smart or dynamic load control may reduce the need for all chargers to draw maximum power at the same time.
Why EV load management matters
Load management controls charger power based on available electrical capacity or operating rules. It becomes especially useful when several chargers share the same site supply.
| Charging challenge | Possible strategy | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Home has limited spare capacity | Dynamic load management | Reduces charger output when other household loads are high. |
| Multiple workplace chargers | Power sharing | Distributes available charging power across connected vehicles. |
| Large fleet | Scheduled charging | Prioritises vehicles based on departure time or required energy. |
| Solar available during the day | Solar-aware charging | Can increase charging during periods of stronger on-site solar generation. |
| High site demand | Demand-aware controls | May limit charger power when total site demand approaches a defined threshold. |
What to compare before choosing an EV charger
Charger selection should be based on the vehicle, property and charging objective rather than charger power alone.
Vehicle compatibility
Check the vehicle’s AC and DC charging limits and connector requirements.
Charging power
Choose a rate that matches parking time, daily energy use and the site’s available electrical capacity.
Smart features
Consider scheduling, solar integration, load management, app control and energy monitoring.
Future vehicles
Plan for a second household EV, more staff vehicles or fleet expansion where relevant.
Access control
Commercial sites may need RFID, app access, user groups or public/private charging controls.
Billing and reporting
Workplaces and public-facing sites may need energy reporting or cost recovery across different users.
Location and cable reach
Parking layout, charger position and cable management affect usability.
Electrical installation
Protection, cabling, switchboard work and network requirements should form part of the total project.
How ADS Solar approaches an EV charging project
The process changes with project size, but good planning starts with the vehicles, the property and the available energy infrastructure.
Understand the vehicles
Review daily kilometres, parking time, vehicle charging capability and future EV plans.
Assess the electrical site
Review switchboard, supply, phase configuration, existing demand and proposed charger locations.
Design the charging solution
Select charger power, load management, solar integration and staged infrastructure where required.
Install and commission
Complete electrical installation, testing, configuration and user handover through appropriately qualified personnel.
Request an EV charging assessment
Tell ADS Solar whether you need residential, workplace, commercial, fleet or industrial charging. Include the EV model, property type, number of chargers and whether solar or battery storage is already installed.
Connect EV charging with your wider energy system
EV charging can become one of the largest new electrical loads on a property. Integrating it with solar, battery storage and load management can create a more coordinated energy system.
Residential solar
Solar systems for Australian homes and future EV charging.
Explore residential solar →Commercial solar
Business solar for workplaces, car parks and commercial fleets.
Explore commercial solar →Industrial solar
Large solar systems for industrial and fleet-energy applications.
Explore industrial solar →Solar and battery
Integrated solar and battery packages for residential energy use.
Explore solar + battery →Home batteries
Compare residential battery storage and home energy options.
Explore home batteries →Commercial batteries
Storage for business energy management and commercial solar systems.
Explore commercial batteries →Plan EV charging around the property, vehicles and energy system
ADS Solar can assess EV charging alongside solar, battery storage and electrical capacity for residential, commercial and industrial sites.
Frequently asked questions about EV charging
What size EV charger do I need at home?
Many dedicated home chargers are rated between 7kW and 22kW. The right size depends on the EV’s AC charging limit, household supply, parking time, daily driving and available electrical capacity.
Can I charge an EV from rooftop solar?
Yes. When the EV is connected during solar-generating periods, suitable solar energy can support charging. Smart or solar-aware charging may help align the charger with available rooftop solar production.
Do I need three-phase power for EV charging?
Not always. Many homes can use a single-phase charger. Higher AC charging rates may require three-phase supply, but the EV itself must also support the higher AC rate.
Can I install a 22kW charger if my EV only accepts 11kW AC?
The vehicle will generally limit AC charging to its own maximum supported rate. Installing a higher-rated charger does not make a vehicle exceed its charging capability.
Does an EV charger need a licensed electrician?
A dedicated EV charger connected to the electrical installation should be installed by appropriately licensed electrical personnel. The installation may also require switchboard or supply upgrades.
Can an EV charger work with a home battery?
Yes, depending on the battery, charger and energy-management system. The operating strategy should consider battery capacity, household demand, solar production and the EV’s energy requirement.
What is load management for EV chargers?
Load management controls charger power so EV charging does not exceed a defined site limit or can be shared across multiple chargers. It can be useful in homes, strata buildings, workplaces and fleet depots.
What is the difference between AC and DC EV charging?
AC chargers supply alternating current to the vehicle, which uses its onboard charger to convert it to DC for the battery. DC fast chargers supply direct current to the battery and can charge at much higher power where the vehicle supports it.
What EV charging is suitable for a workplace?
Level 2 AC charging often suits workplaces where vehicles remain parked for several hours. Fleet or rapid-turnaround applications may require higher-power or DC charging after site capacity is assessed.
Can businesses charge multiple EVs at once?
Yes, but simultaneous charging can create significant site demand. Power sharing, scheduling and dynamic load management can help distribute available power across multiple chargers.
What charging is suitable for an industrial fleet depot?
The answer depends on vehicle type, daily energy use, dwell time and turnaround requirements. A depot may use managed AC charging, DC fast charging or a mix of charging types.
Can commercial solar reduce EV charging costs?
On-site solar can reduce the amount of grid electricity used for charging when vehicles are connected during solar-generating periods. The actual benefit depends on solar production, charging schedules and business electricity tariffs.
Can I install an EV charger in an apartment building?
Potentially, but approval from the owners corporation or strata body may be required. The building’s electrical capacity, parking arrangement, metering and future charging needs should also be assessed.
How should a business plan for future EV charging?
Consider expected vehicle numbers, charger locations, electrical capacity, load management, network upgrades, solar and battery integration, user access and whether infrastructure can be staged for future expansion.