-
Schneider Electric's 2026 Energy Tech Pulse Survey found upfront capital costs, skills shortages and regulatory complexity remain the biggest barriers to energy infrastructure investment
-
NSW Right to Charge reforms will make it easier for strata owners and apartment residents to approve and install EV chargers, removing a key barrier to electrification
-
Schneider Electric and Electrify EV say safe, scalable infrastructure will be critical as charging demand grows
Sydney, Australia, 30 July 2026 – Upfront capital costs, skills shortages and regulatory complexity remain the biggest barriers to energy infrastructure investment, according to Schneider Electric's 2026 Energy Tech Pulse Survey. The findings come as NSW prepares to introduce Right to Charge reforms - a positive shift that removes a key barrier to electrification by making it easier for strata owners and residents to install EV chargers.
The survey highlights a growing appetite for electrification and energy technology investment, but many organisations remain constrained by financial and implementation challenges. More than half of business leaders (56%) identify upfront capital costs as the biggest barrier to adopting advanced energy and infrastructure technologies, while one-third (33%) cite internal capability and skills gaps. Regulatory and permitting complexity was identified by 30% of respondents.
The reforms, currently before the NSW Legislative Council, are expected to help address some of these barriers by simplifying approval pathways for apartment EV charging installations. This means strata committees will face fewer regulatory hurdles and can make decisions on EV charging quickly and with greater certainty.
The changes come as EV adoption continues to accelerate, with more than 410,000 electric vehicles now on Australian roads.
While the new legislation is expected to accelerate EV charging adoption in apartment buildings, Schneider Electric says they also highlight the need for safe, scalable infrastructure as charging demand grows.
Without appropriate planning, buildings risk fragmented installations and unmanaged electrical loads as more residents adopt EVs. Technologies such as dynamic load management and energy monitoring can help buildings support future demand while reducing the need for costly upgrades.
Tim Pratt, Vice President, Power Products, Pacific Zone at Schneider Electric, said: "The reforms are a positive step because they remove a significant barrier for apartment residents who want to charge at home.
"But the right to install a charger is only part of the equation. Safe, efficient and future-proofed charging depends on the right infrastructure and the right expertise.
"Our research shows organisations are grappling not only with cost pressures, but also skills shortages and implementation complexity. As EV adoption accelerates, ensuring buildings have access to qualified expertise and scalable infrastructure will be just as important as removing regulatory barriers."
Many apartment buildings were designed long before widespread electrification was considered and may require upgrades to accommodate multiple chargers operating simultaneously. As EV adoption increases, buildings will need to balance charging demand alongside existing electrical loads such as lifts, lighting, air conditioning and other critical services.
Pratt said building owners and strata committees should be thinking beyond individual charger installations and taking a longer-term approach to electrical capacity and infrastructure planning.
"We cannot approach apartment EV charging as a series of one-off installations. A single charger may solve today’s problem, but buildings need infrastructure that can support dozens more as demand grows.”
Electrify EV, a Schneider Electric EcoXpert partner supporting EV charging projects across residential and strata developments, said the focus must now shift from installation approvals to ensuring buildings are prepared for growing charging requirements.
Andrew Hardingham, Managing Director at Electrify EV, said: "The reforms will significantly improve access to charging for apartment residents, but successful projects still depend on understanding a building's electrical infrastructure and planning for future demand.
“As more residents adopt EVs, buildings need infrastructure that can accommodate more chargers safely and efficiently. Technologies such as energy monitoring and busway-based electrical distribution can simplify retrofits and support future charger expansion.”
Together, these reforms mark an important step toward making EV charging in strata buildings simpler, faster and more accessible.
ENDS
About Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric is a global energy technology leader, driving efficiency and sustainability by electrifying, automating, and digitalizing industries, businesses, and homes. Its technologies enable buildings, data centres, factories, infrastructure, and grids to operate as open, interconnected ecosystems, enhancing performance, resilience, and sustainability. The portfolio includes intelligent devices, software-defined architectures, AI-powered systems, digital services, and expert advisory. With 160,000 employees and 1 million partners in over 100 countries, Schneider Electric is consistently ranked among the world’s most sustainable companies
Follow us on: 
Discover the newest perspectives shaping sustainability, electricity 4.0, and next-generation automation on Schneider Electric Insights.
Contact details:
