FAQs

What is included in the VCS One system?

As standard:

• A swivelling boom that is counterweighted and hinged, mounted on a slim post.
• A fifteen metre EV charging cable.
• Supply and installation.

Custom arrangements may be possible by agreement.

What colours are available for the VCS One?

At present, the VCS One is available in powder coated satin white. In future, the Colourbond palette of colours will be available and custom colours may be possible by agreement.

Where is the VCS One manufactured?

Does VCSA sell the hardware for others to install?

Not at this time.  We’re deploying a new solution to a new problem and want to be as sure as we can that every installation is exceptionally well managed.  We’re starting close to home, and doing every installation ourselves.

As we expand, we’ll partner with selected installers.

Does installing the VCS One guarantee me a right to park in front of my house?

No, it does not.

The street is a public place, and your local government is responsible for managing any limitations and rights with regard to parking.

If you’re a typical driver, and able to park in front of your home one or two nights a week, the VCS One will probably suit you.

If you are rarely able to park in front of your home, it probably will not.

Who owns the installation?

The installation is typically paid for by the resident, and becomes part of the home.  If you’re renting your home, you should have a chat to your landlord to seek their approval.

How does it stack up on cost, compared to petrol or fast EV charging?

A typical petrol car uses about $2,000 in petrol per year.
(15,000km / year) * (7 Litres / 100km) * ($1.90 / Litre) ≈ $2000/year

A typical EV charged solely at public fast chargers uses about $1,350 in electricity per year.
(15,000km / year) * (15kWh / 100km) * ($0.60 / kWh) ≈ $1350 / year

A typical EV, charged off-peak at home using the VCS One, will use about $180 in electricity per year.
(15,000km / year) * (15kWh / 100km) * ($0.08 / kWh) ≈ $180 / year

Individual circumstances will vary, but the VCS One has the potential to save a typical EV driver who cannot otherwise charge at home over $1000 per year - as well as being far more convenient than regularly using public fast chargers.

I don't have an external power point to charge an EV, what can I do?

VCSA can arrange a quote for the installation of a power point or you can engage your own licensed electrical contractor. VCSA recommends a dedicated final subcircuit to supply power to the VCS One.

What type of EV charger is supplied with the installation?

As standard, the VCS One includes a single phase, 10 Amp charging cable, with 15 metre length.  This is known as a ‘Mode 2’ or ‘Level 1’ EV charger, and has a nominal 2.3kW power output.  This type of cable plugs into a standard domestic power outlet.

In a ten hour charging session (for example, 9pm to 7am), this type of cable can deliver about 150km of range top-up to an EV, depending on the vehicle:

(10 hours * 2.3kW) * (100km / 15kWh) = 153km

Most drivers do less than 300km of driving per week, and will be able to charge at home at least twice per week - so this type of EV charger will be sufficient for most VCS One customers, and it helps us keep costs down.

For drivers doing significantly more mileage, who need to be able to fully recharge an EV overnight, the VCS One can be paired with a 7kW or 11kW EV charger instead, at somewhat higher cost.

For drivers thinking about future proofing at time of installation of the VCS One,  we recommend that the supply to the power outlet installed to support the VCS One be sized to support the future installation of a 7kW EV charger.  This essentially means slightly larger gauge wiring to the location, and a higher capacity circuit breaker.  It doesn’t cost much more than standard wiring to a dedicated 10A power outlet, and makes it easier to upsize the EV charger down the track if that proves necessary.

If I’m on a novated lease which incorporates public EV charging costs, what changes for me when I shift to doing most of my EV charging at home?

Shifting to EV charging at home will typically significantly reduce the actual cost of EV charging, but you will no longer have a set of specific transactions to base your cost claim on, because the extra electricity usage will simply turn up on your household electricity bill.

The ATO provides a simple method for calculating the value of energy at home for EV charging when it’s not being separately measured, which is based on 4.2c/km, from an odometer reading – it’s detailed here:

https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/income-deductions-offsets-and-records/deductions-you-can-claim/work-related-deductions/cars-transport-and-travel/motor-vehicle-and-car-expenses/expenses-for-a-car-you-own-or-lease

VCSA encourages drivers in this circumstance to make sure their specific novated lease provider is able to accommodate a shift from using public EV charging, to EV charging at home.

VCSA also encourages drivers to consider available electricity retail offers, particularly the ones designed for EV drivers.  It’s definitely possible to charge an EV at home for much less than 4.2c/km, everywhere the VCS One is being sold.

I'm not certain if your product will suit my property?

The VCSA process is to visit your home and address any overall concerns and provide you with advice and an obligation free quote.

If I move from my property, can I relocate your product to a new property?

Absolutely, it can be relocated to another property providing you own the product. VCSA will be happy to assist with this process.

What happens if I experience vandalism?

Whilst we have engineered our products to minimise this risk, we ensure that our products are fully supported with spare parts and onsite service.

Any particular question that wasn’t in the FAQs?

Contact us via our online enquiry form.