Commercial EV Charging Stations Melbourne - Workplace & Strata Solutions

Commercial EV Charging for Melbourne Businesses

Electric vehicle adoption in Australia is accelerating rapidly, and Melbourne businesses are increasingly recognising that EV charging infrastructure isn’t just an environmental statement - it’s a commercial advantage. Whether you’re a property manager looking to future-proof a building, an employer wanting to attract talent, or a hospitality venue seeking to draw customers, commercial EV charging delivers measurable returns.

Carlin Co designs and installs commercial EV charging solutions across Melbourne, from single-charger workplace setups to multi-bay charging stations for shopping centres and apartment complexes. As NETCC Approved Sellers, Tesla Certified Installers, and CEC Accredited electricians, we bring the full spectrum of credentials required for commercial energy projects.

Types of Commercial EV Charging Solutions

Workplace Charging

Installing EV chargers at your workplace is one of the most effective employee benefits you can offer. With the federal FBT exemption making novated-leased EVs extremely attractive, many employees are switching to electric - and they need somewhere to charge during work hours.

Typical setup: 2-10 AC chargers (7.4kW-22kW) in staff parking areas, often with load management to share available electrical capacity across multiple chargers. Smart charging software can allocate charging time fairly, prioritise vehicles with lower battery levels, and track energy usage per employee or cost centre.

Cost range: $2,000-$5,000 per charging point installed, depending on existing electrical infrastructure and cable runs. Load management systems add $1,000-$3,000 for the entire installation.

Business benefits: Employee attraction and retention, sustainability credentials, potential revenue from charging fees, increased property value, and eligibility for various green building certifications.

Customer and Visitor Charging

For retail, hospitality, healthcare, and service businesses, customer-facing EV charging creates a competitive advantage. EV drivers actively seek out businesses with charging facilities - and they spend more while they wait.

Typical setup: 2-6 AC chargers in customer parking, potentially with 1-2 DC fast chargers for high-turnover locations. Payment integration via RFID, app, or contactless payment allows you to recover costs or generate revenue.

Cost range: AC chargers $2,000-$5,000 per point; DC fast chargers (25-75kW) $25,000-$60,000 per unit including installation. DC fast chargers require significant electrical infrastructure but offer 15-45 minute charging times that suit customer visits.

Strata and Multi-Dwelling Charging

Apartment buildings and strata complexes face unique challenges for EV charging - shared electrical infrastructure, body corporate governance, and the need for fair access and cost allocation. We specialise in strata charging solutions that address these complexities.

For detailed guidance on strata installations, see our EV charger installation for apartments and strata guide.

Fleet Charging Depots

Businesses transitioning vehicle fleets to electric need reliable, high-capacity charging infrastructure. Fleet charging designs consider overnight depot charging schedules, route requirements, power demand management, and integration with fleet management software.

Typical setup: 5-50+ AC chargers with smart scheduling and load management, potentially supplemented by DC fast chargers for vehicles needing rapid turnaround. Solar and battery integration can significantly reduce operating costs.

Key Considerations for Commercial Installations

Electrical Capacity

The single biggest factor in commercial EV charging projects is available electrical capacity. Each 7.4kW charger draws 32 amps - install ten of them and you need 320 amps of available capacity. Most commercial buildings don’t have this spare capacity without upgrades.

Solutions include:

• Dynamic load management: Smart systems that share available capacity across chargers, reducing peak demand while still fully charging all vehicles overnight
• Supply upgrades: Working with your electricity distributor (Citipower, Powercor, Jemena, or United Energy) to increase your supply capacity
• Solar integration: On-site solar generation can offset charging demand and reduce grid supply requirements
• Battery buffering: A commercial battery system can store off-peak energy and supplement supply during peak charging periods

Payment and Access Control

Commercial chargers need robust payment and access systems. Options include RFID cards for authorised users, app-based payment, contactless card payment, or free charging as a business amenity. We help you choose the right approach for your use case and can integrate with major charging networks if you want public visibility.

Future-Proofing

EV adoption is growing at 21% annually in Australia. When planning your installation, consider:

• Installing cable conduits for future charger locations even if you’re only installing a few chargers now
• Specifying a switchboard with capacity for expansion
• Choosing a charging management platform that scales easily
• Planning for the transition from AC to DC fast charging as technology evolves

Commercial Solar + EV Charging Integration

Combining commercial solar panels with EV charging infrastructure is a powerful strategy. Daytime solar generation aligns perfectly with workplace charging demand - employees arrive in the morning, plug in, and charge from solar throughout the day. This can reduce charging energy costs by 60-80% compared to grid-only charging.

For businesses considering a complete energy strategy, our integrated solar, battery, and EV charging solutions deliver the best economics and the strongest sustainability credentials.

Compliance and Certification

Commercial EV charging installations must comply with:

• AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules)
• AS/NZS 61851 (EV charging equipment)
• Local council planning requirements (for public-facing installations)
• Building regulations for electrical modifications
• Electricity distributor connection requirements

As Master Electricians members and CEC Accredited installers, Carlin Co ensures every commercial installation meets all regulatory requirements, including obtaining necessary permits and certificates.

Get a Commercial EV Charging Quote

Every commercial project is unique, and we start every engagement with a thorough site assessment and needs analysis. Whether you’re installing two chargers in an office car park or designing a 50-bay charging depot, Carlin Co has the expertise and credentials to deliver.

Call us on 0432 632 346 to discuss your commercial EV charging requirements. We’ll provide a detailed proposal covering equipment recommendations, electrical infrastructure requirements, indicative costs, and available incentives.