An Applecross family home with the EV plugged in inside a double garage, wired for a second charger down the track.
Applecross · 6153

EV charger installation in Applecross.

Family homes on the peninsula, three-phase supply as standard, and two EVs in the garage more often than not.

The install

What an Applecross install actually looks like

Applecross is family territory. The homes are on generous blocks, most have double garages, and a huge share already have three-phase supply because of the pool, the workshop, or the ducted system installed a decade ago. That makes the EV install much easier here than in the inner suburbs.

The typical install is straightforward. Three-phase feed to a wall-mounted charger inside the garage, RCBO added to the switchboard, weatherproof isolator next to the unit. Done in a morning if the switchboard has capacity, done in a day if a small upgrade is needed.

The wrinkle that comes up often is the second car. If there is already a family EV and a plug-in hybrid on the way, we run the cable and hardware for a second charger at the same time. Half the labour, no need to disturb the wall twice.

Three-phase meter panel and smart energy monitor installed before the charger goes on the wall.
Three-phase meter panel and smart energy monitor installed before the charger goes on the wall.
The Applecross peninsula at dusk. Big blocks, big garages, the Swan River on three sides.
The Applecross peninsula at dusk. Big blocks, big garages, the Swan River on three sides.

Solar first

Solar is standard here and it changes the maths

Around three quarters of Applecross homes have solar. Most systems are 6.6kW or larger, and battery adoption is growing fast on this peninsula. A smart charger set to divert solar first, then off-peak grid second, keeps the annual charging cost under $200 for most families we quote.

For homes without a battery yet, sizing the charger to match a future battery install saves rework. We factor that into the design rather than surprise the homeowner with it two years later.

Recent install

A recent Applecross install

Location
Waylen Bay Drive, Applecross 6153
The home
Single-storey brick and tile, 8kW rooftop solar, three-phase supply, double garage.
The charger
Fronius Wattpilot Home 22 on the internal garage wall, plus rough-in for a second charger next to it.
Outcome
Half day on site. New RCBO and dedicated three-phase EV circuit added. Second charger position wired and capped for a later install.
Fronius Wattpilot Home 22 on a red brick garage wall. Three-phase power, discreet finish.
Fronius Wattpilot Home 22 on a red brick garage wall. Three-phase power, discreet finish.
Local considerations

What to know before install day in Applecross

  • Older three-phase installations in Applecross sometimes have unbalanced phases. Worth a check before adding a 22kW load onto whichever phase is already carrying the aircon.
  • The peninsula gets river breeze but not heavy salt exposure. Standard IP54 hardware is fine for internal garage installs; IP65 for anything external.
  • Double garages mean cable choices matter. If both bays might one day need a charger, plan the run for two circuits from day one.
FAQ

Applecross EV charging questions

We have two EVs. Do we need two chargers?+

Not necessarily. Two chargers on a load-shared circuit is common in Applecross. Both cars plug in overnight, the charger splits the available current between them, and both are full by morning.

Can you use the three-phase we already have?+

Yes, and we usually recommend it. Three-phase 22kW is roughly three times faster than single-phase 7kW for compatible cars, and it costs no more to install if the supply already exists.

How long does an Applecross install take?+

Half a day is typical. A full day if the switchboard needs upgrading or if we are pre-wiring for a second charger.

Perth FAQ

EV charger installation in Perth, answered

The questions we get asked most by WA homeowners, answered by the electricians who do the work.

Does Western Power need to be notified about my EV charger?+

For a standard single phase 7kW charger on an existing supply, no separate application is usually needed. Your electrician still lodges the required notice of completion with Building and Energy WA. If the install needs a bigger main switch, a service upgrade, or a move to three phase, that does go to Western Power first and it adds time to the job, so we check it before quoting.

Is single phase or three phase more common in Perth homes?+

Most Perth houses are single phase, which caps a home charger at about 7.4kW. Newer estates in areas like Ellenbrook, Baldivis and Canning Vale are more likely to have three phase already at the board, and a lot of older knock down rebuilds get it too. Lift the switchboard cover and count the incoming actives, or send us a photo and we will tell you.

Which Synergy plan is best once I have a home charger?+

Synergy runs time of use options aimed at EV owners with a cheap overnight window and a cheaper midday window built around WA's solar surplus. Charging in those windows rather than the evening peak is where the real savings sit. Check current rates on Synergy's site before switching, because the windows and prices change.

Should I charge from my solar instead of the grid in Perth?+

Usually yes. WA feed in tariffs are low, so exporting midday solar earns you very little while grid power costs several times more. A solar aware charger such as a myenergi Zappi or Fronius Wattpilot watches your export at the switchboard and pushes surplus into the car instead of sending it out for a few cents.

Do coastal Perth suburbs need a different charger?+

If you are in the salt spray zone near the coast from Mullaloo through Scarborough, Cottesloe and Fremantle, outdoor units cop corrosion. We fit chargers rated IP65 or better, use stainless or marine grade fixings, and where possible mount the unit inside the garage with only the tethered lead exposed.

What about summer heat and charger derating?+

Perth summers regularly sit over 40C, and a charger baking in full afternoon sun can throttle its output to protect itself. West and north facing walls are the worst spots. We site the unit in shade or under eaves where we can, which keeps it charging at full rate and extends the life of the electronics.

Can I get a charger installed in a Perth apartment or strata complex?+

Yes, but it is a different job to a house. You need strata approval, a metering plan so the electricity bills back to your lot rather than common property, and often a load managed charger so the building's supply is not overloaded. We put that documentation together for the strata council as part of the quote.

How does a limestone driveway or brick paving affect the cable run?+

Plenty of Perth homes have the switchboard on one side and the parking on the other, with paving or limestone in between. Where we can, we run the cable through the roof space or along the eaves to avoid lifting anything. When trenching is unavoidable we lift and relay pavers rather than cut them, and that extra work is priced up front, not added later.

Are there WA rebates for home EV chargers?+

WA does not currently run a state rebate on home charger installs. The EV rebate scheme that ran on vehicle purchases has closed. The saving comes from the tariff side instead: charging off peak or straight off your own solar. We will not quote a rebate that does not exist.

Who is legally allowed to install an EV charger in Perth?+

A licensed WA electrical contractor. The circuit has to be dedicated, protected by the correct RCD type for the charger, and wired to AS/NZS 3000 with the EV specific requirements of AS/NZS 3012 and the manufacturer's instructions. Candela is licensed under EC# 15317 and fully insured, and you get the compliance paperwork on completion.

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