Guaranteed Overnight Charge, Zero Disruption: The Altair Story

How VeCharge delivered future-proof EV charging infrastructure across 159 car spaces — without disrupting a single resident.

The Project

Altair Apartments is a premium residential complex in Sydney comprising 139 residences and 159 car spaces spread across three split levels. Building management came to VeCharge with a clear goal: create a future-proof EV charging backbone so that any bay could receive a compatible smart charger, with a guaranteed minimum overnight top-up of approximately 14 kWh — enough for around 100 km of range, comfortably exceeding Sydney's average daily commute of 34.5 km.

The Challenges

No large-scale strata charging project is without complexity. At Altair, we navigated several significant constraints:

• Limited power capacity. The building's available electrical headroom was tight, requiring a solution that could safely share load across all residents while still guaranteeing a reliable nightly charge for every vehicle.

• Premium aesthetics. Altair's high-end finishes and strict presentation standards meant that every cable pathway, board and cover had to be discreet, neat and durable — with no visible clutter.

• A live residential site. With 139 residences, constant resident and visitor movement, and an extremely busy concierge, meticulous planning and clear communication were non-negotiable.

• Multi-level complexity. Delivering consistent power distribution across 159 bays on three split levels added significant routing and staging complexity.

• COVID-19 restrictions. Staggered works, controlled drilling windows and additional hygiene protocols were required to keep residents safe and the programme on track.

• Future-proofing at scale. The infrastructure had to support any compatible smart charger at any bay, with seamless billing and management built in — eliminating the need for repeated invasive works down the track.

Our Approach

VeCharge began with a detailed feasibility study, working alongside our electrical engineer to assess the building's available capacity. This confirmed that the existing off-peak supply could comfortably support average resident charging needs without costly network upgrades.

Based on this insight, we designed a cloud-based Dynamic Load Management system to intelligently distribute power across all bays and guarantee each vehicle a reliable overnight top-up — every night, without fail.

Our in-house installation team then created a discreet backbone that would prepare every bay for current and future charger installations. More than 300 metres of cable tray were installed across the three car-park levels, alongside a new main distribution board and four dedicated EV sub-boards. The infrastructure was paired with a charge point management platform, giving residents transparent billing and seamless control over their charging.

"Our goal wasn't just to install chargers, but to design an infrastructure that would serve Altair for decades ahead. Future-proofing means that every bay is now EV-ready, and residents have the confidence of guaranteed overnight charging without disruption to their daily lives." — Michael Brewitt, Director, VeCharge

Delivery was equally important. With many residents working from home during COVID restrictions, we staged works carefully — using two visitor bays as a temporary hub, scheduling drilling periods in advance, and maintaining constant communication with building management. Our electricians and apprentices kept the site clean, respected residents' routines, and ensured the project progressed smoothly throughout.

What We Delivered

• New main distribution board and four dedicated EV sub-boards across all three car-park levels

• 300+ metres of cable tray, installed to blend seamlessly with the building's architecture

• A dedicated Wi-Fi network connecting the smart charging infrastructure

• Cloud-based Dynamic Load Management ensuring intelligent power balancing across 159 bays

• A charge point management platform for simple, transparent resident billing

• Guaranteed overnight top-up of ~14 kWh (~100 km range) for every vehicle, every night

• A fully charger-enabled building — every bay EV-ready, with no further disruptive works required

What the Client Said

"VeCharge impressed us with excellent customer service and workmanship. Despite technical challenges such as limited power supply and complex site requirements, they provided clear advice and implemented the works with professionalism. COVID restrictions and the high-end nature of the building required consistent, reliable communication. VeCharge kept disruption to a minimum, maintained cleanliness throughout, and built trust with our residents and management team. The project was delivered to a high standard and within budget." — Mario Caruana, Building Manager | Altair Apartments

The Result

Altair now has a scalable, future-ready EV charging infrastructure that meets resident demand today and supports Sydney's long-term sustainability goals. The project demonstrates that even with limited power capacity, strict aesthetic standards, and a fully occupied building, it is possible to deliver a genuinely future-proof EV charging solution — without compromise.

Thinking about EV charging for your building? Contact VeCharge to discuss your project.