Case Study: Inkerman & Nelson

About Inkerman & Nelson Inkerman and Nelson is a contemporary residential precinct in Balaclava comprising 26 two and three-storey townhouses arranged around central courts and walkways.  The development was recognised with a Commendation for Residential Architecture in the Multiple Housing category, praised for delivering a medium-density typology that responds thoughtfully to its context and the demands of modern living.  As the community matured, the need for practical, future-ready infrastructure became a natural next step for residents. The Challenge When the building approached NOX Energy in February, it had no existing EV charging infrastructure and no building-wide Wi-Fi network to support a centralised charging solution. A traditional Owners Corporation-funded model was not the right fit for this community. The building needed an approach that gave residents individual choice and control without requiring the entire strata to commit to a single upfront investment. The NOX Energy Approach NOX Energy proposed an individual opt-in model that placed the decision and the cost directly in the hands of each resident.  A Wi-Fi network was installed across the building and paid for by the Owners Corporation. This was installed as a wide building amenity to support not only the charging infrastructure, but future upgrades to security systems.  A survey was conducted across all 26 apartments to gauge interest, and residents were offered the opportunity to install a NOX Energy IPS unit in their own car space for $1,100. Those who wanted to charge could move forward immediately, while those who were not yet ready faced no obligation. Resident Response The level of interest exceeded expectations. With only two EVs in the building, out of the 26 apartments surveyed, 17 accepted the offer, representing approximately 65% participation.  15 apartments installed one device each, while 2 apartments installed two devices, bringing the total to 19 NOX devices across the building.  For a community with no prior EV infrastructure, the result was a clear signal that demand was already there.  Results Inkerman and Nelson went from zero EV infrastructure to 19 installed devices across 17 apartments in a single, well-coordinated rollout. From initial enquiry to installation, including surveys, it took just under 16 weeks.  The opt-in model proved that resident-funded installations can achieve strong uptake when the process is simple, the cost is transparent, and the solution is designed around how the building actually works. Approximate Project Costs:  19 IPS’ installed – $23,000 Wi-Fi Network – $9,000 Total: $32,000