Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Requirements for New Buildings

What This Requirement Covers

This requirement sets minimum provisions in the National Construction Code (NCC) for new buildings to facilitate installation and future operation of electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment. It addresses provision of electrical distribution capacity, spaces for metering and charging control, and features that support future renewable energy and storage integration. The intent is to ensure new buildings - particularly those with associated carparking - are provided with basic electrical infrastructure so EV charging can be installed affordably, safely, and in a way that can be managed against building energy demand.

The requirement applies to designers, builders, developers and certifiers of new buildings across the building classes identified in the NCC (notably Class 2, 3, 5, 6, 7b, 8 and 9 where carparks are associated). It also includes measures for main switchboards to accommodate solar photovoltaic and battery systems to support integrated energy and EV charging strategies.

Key Requirements

1. Required provision in carparks: A carpark associated with a Class 2, 3, 5, 6, 7b, 8 or 9 building must be provided with electrical distribution boards dedicated to electric vehicle charging in accordance with Table J9D4 for each storey of the carpark, and labelled to indicate use for EV charging equipment (as specified in NCC Volume One, Clause J9D4).
2. Charging control system: Each distribution board dedicated to EV charging must be fitted with a charging control system able to manage and schedule EV charging in response to total building demand (NCC Volume One, Clause J9D4(2)(a)).
3. Minimum circuit capacity - timing and delivered energy:
4. For carparks associated with Class 2 buildings the electrical distribution board must have capacity for each circuit to support an EV charger able to deliver a minimum of 12 kWh from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am daily (NCC Volume One, Clause J9D4(2)(b)).
5. For carparks associated with Class 5 to 9 buildings (other than Class 3 special case below) the distribution board must have capacity for each circuit to support an EV charger able to deliver a minimum of 12 kWh from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily (NCC Volume One, Clause J9D4(2)(c)).
6. For carparks associated with Class 3 buildings the capacity required is for each circuit to support a charger able to deliver a minimum of 48 kWh from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am daily (NCC Volume One, Clause J9D4(2)(d)).
7. Provision for future charger size: Distribution boards must be sized to support the future installation of a 7 kW (32 A) Type 2 electric vehicle charger in:
8. 100% of car parking spaces associated with a Class 2 building; or
9. 10% of car parking spaces associated with a Class 5 or 6 building; or
10. 20% of car parking spaces associated with a Class 3, 7b, 8 or 9 building (NCC Volume One, Clause J9D4(2)(e)).
11. Metering space: Each distribution board must contain space of at least 36 mm width of DIN rail per outgoing circuit for individual sub-circuit metering of EV charging equipment, and be labelled to indicate the purpose of that space (NCC Volume One, Clause J9D4(2)(f)-(g)).
12. Quantity of distribution boards per storey: Use Table J9D4 to determine the number of dedicated EV distribution boards required per carpark storey: e.g., 10-24 spaces = 1 board; 25-48 = 2 boards; 49-72 = 3 boards; and so on up to 145-168 = 7 boards. Where there are more than 168 carpark spaces per storey, provide one additional distribution board for each further 24 spaces or part thereof (Table J9D4, NCC Volume One).
13. Labelling: Distribution boards and main switchboard spaces required for EV charging and for future metering / renewable integration must be clearly labelled (NCC Volume One, Clause J9D4 and Clause J9D5).
14. Main switchboard provisions for PV and battery: The main electrical switchboard of a building must contain at least two empty three-phase circuit breaker slots and four DIN rail spaces labelled for a solar photovoltaic system and a battery system, and be sized to accommodate PV producing maximum output on at least 20% of the building roof area (NCC Volume One, Clause J9D5).
15. Roof area reserve for PV: At least 20% of roof area must be left clear for PV installation except where existing PV is already installed on at least 20% of roof area or equivalent generation exists, or where 100% of roof is shaded for more than 70% of daylight hours (NCC Volume One, Clause J9D5(2)).
16. Limitations: J9D4 does not apply to a stand-alone Class 7a building (NCC Volume One, Clause J9D4 Limitations).
17. Relevant NCC references: NCC 2022 Volume One, Clause J9D4 (Facilities for electric vehicle charging equipment); Clause J9D5 (Facilities for solar photovoltaic and battery systems); Clause J1P4 (Renewable energy and electric vehicle charging) and related Section J provisions (NCC Volume One).
18. Relevant Australian Standards and other guidance: While the NCC sets the mandatory infrastructure requirements, installation of EV charging equipment and electrical works must comply with relevant standards and wiring rules such as AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules), EV charger manufacturer instructions, and applicable state electrical regulations. For roof mounting and structural implications consult standards such as AS 1170 (Structural design actions) and specific installer guidance. (NCC clauses reference only; installations must follow applicable AS standards including AS/NZS 3000.)

Residential vs Commercial

1. Residential (Class 1 and 10): The NCC EV distribution board requirements in Clause J9D4 apply principally to buildings with associated carparks identified in the clause list - Class 2 buildings (apartment buildings) are specifically targeted. Stand-alone single dwellings (Class 1a) and most Class 10 structures are not subject to J9D4 in the same way. However, J1P4 requires buildings to have features that facilitate future EV charging and on-site renewable energy generally. Individual dwelling owners should follow AS/NZS 3000 and local electrical authority requirements for dedicated charging circuits when installing chargers.
2. Multi-residential (Class 2): Stringent requirements - distribution boards must be sized so 100% of spaces can support a future 7 kW (32 A) Type 2 charger and circuits have overnight capacity of 12 kWh between 11:00 pm and 7:00 am per circuit (NCC Volume One, Clause J9D4(2)
3. (b) and (e)). Metering spaces and charging control systems are mandatory.
4. Commercial and mixed-use (Class 3, 5, 6, 7b, 8, 9): Requirements vary by class: for many commercial classes the board capacity target is 12 kWh between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm (Clause J9D4(2)(c)) while Class 3 has a higher delivered energy target of 48 kWh between 11:00 pm and 7:00 am (Clause J9D4(2)(d)). Provision percentages for future 7 kW chargers differ - 10% for Class 5/6, 20% for Class 3, 7b, 8 or 9 (Clause J9D4(2)(e)).

Exceptions and Exemptions

1. J9D4 explicitly does not apply to stand-alone Class 7a buildings (NCC Volume One, Clause J9D4 Limitations).
2. Roof PV reserve exceptions: the 20% roof area reserve for PV under Clause J9D5(2) is not required where the building already has PV on at least 20% of roof area or equivalent on-site generation, or where 100% of roof is shaded for more than 70% of daylight hours, or other stated exceptions in Clause J9D5.
3. Smaller or unique developments: Where provision of distribution boards or metering spaces is impractical, performance solutions may be pursued through the NCC Performance Requirements or local variations, but these require documented justification and verification by the relevant certifier or authority having jurisdiction.
4. State and territory schedules: States and territories may have additional or varying requirements in their NCC schedules - see next section. Always verify with the applicable state schedule and local authority.

State and Territory Variations

1. The NCC is national, but state and territory schedules may modify, add to or replace national provisions. Designers must check the relevant state schedule in NCC 2022 Volume One (Schedules 4-12) for jurisdictional changes.
2. Known approach: the 2022 NCC amendments introducing J9D4 and J9D5 are national provisions; however some jurisdictions may include additional energy, planning or electrical requirements or incentives tied to EV infrastructure. For example, states may have specific electrical licensing rules, metering requirements, or planning incentives for EV-ready parking that sit outside or augment the NCC.
3. Practical step: always confirm with the relevant state schedule in NCC Volume One and the local electricity distributor for requirements on metering, load management, and permission to connect EV chargers or battery systems.

Practical Compliance Tips

1. Plan early for distribution and metering - allocate space in carpark switchrooms and main switchboards for the DIN rail spaces and labeled breaker slots required by Clauses J9D4 and J9D5 to avoid costly retrofits.
2. Follow the Table J9D4 counts - calculate the number of dedicated EV distribution boards per storey early in design using Table J9D4 so plant rooms and conduits are sized correctly.
3. Provide charging control capability - specify a charging control/energy management system able to schedule charging against building demand and integrate with building energy management as required by Clause J9D4(2)(a).
4. Size circuits for stated kWh delivery and 7 kW future chargers - design outgoing circuits and feeder capacity to meet the time-window kWh requirements and to support future 7 kW (32 A) Type 2 chargers in the required percentage of spaces (Clause J9D4(2)(b)-(e)).
5. Label clearly - label distribution boards, DIN rail spaces and main switchboard slots for EV charging, PV and battery use as required by Clauses J9D4 and J9D5 to assist future installers and compliance verification.
6. Coordinate with network service provider - early engagement with the local electricity distributor prevents connection delays and ensures distribution-level constraints or requirements (demand management, metering) are addressed.
7. Document performance solutions - where site constraints prevent full compliance, prepare a clear performance solution with electrical load modelling and rationale for the certifier and client, and reference the specific NCC Performance Requirements and state schedule as needed.

References: NCC 2022 Volume One - Clause J9D4 (Facilities for electric vehicle charging equipment); Clause J9D5 (Facilities for solar photovoltaic and battery systems); Clause J1P4 (Renewable energy and electric vehicle charging). Additional compliance must follow applicable Australian Standards such as AS/NZS 3000 and local electrical regulations for installation work.