Correspondence Re: Opportunity to reduce pollution levels and greenhouse gases by increasing the availability of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure
Joint letter from various electric vehicle associations requesting zoning bylaw amendments to require EV infrastructure in new construction.
The Victoria Electric Vehicle Association The Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association Plug-in Richmond
March 27 2018
Mayor David Screech and Members of Council The Town of View Royal 45 View Royal Ave Victoria BC V9B 1A6
Dear Mayor & Members of Council
Re: Opportunity to reduce pollution levels and greenhouse gases by increasing the availability of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure
Higher electric vehicle ownership is now a foregone conclusion as virtually all automobile manufacturers are now committed to producing a wide range of all-electric or plug-in electric vehicles.
The widespread adoption of electric vehicles provides an opportunity for municipalities to help meet their greenhouse gas emission targets, contribute to improved air quality and public health and reduce noise pollution.
We are asking that your Council join the other municipalities in British Columbia¹ that either have, or are in the process of, amending their zoning bylaws to require Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure in new construction. With retrofits to existing structures being expensive, the most cost-effective way to provide EV infrastructure is at the time of building construction. This approach represents a proactive and effective means of increasing EV charging infrastructure as EV sales approach annual increases of 50 % or more.
We respectfully request that Council forward this correspondence to the appropriate Council Committee² for their consideration in bringing forward recommendations to Council regarding the feasibility of enacting zoning bylaw amendments to provide for future EV infrastructure.
Attached is an information sheet that outlines background information including a methodology for implementing zoning bylaw amendments to require EV infrastructure in new construction.
Yours truly
James Locke, President Victoria Electric Vehicle Club
Bruce Sharpe, President Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association
John Roston Plug-in Richmond
¹ Bylaws in place in Richmond, and Vancouver and currently under consideration or in process by three other municipalities ² Planning and Development, or Sustainability or other committee assigned with the responsibility for proposing emission reductions
Attachment
March 27, 2018
The Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association The Victoria Electric Vehicle Association Plug-in Richmond
Letter to Council
Re: Opportunity to increase the availability of Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure to reduce pollution levels and greenhouse gases
Background
The roadway transportation sector currently accounts for 25% of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in British Columbia³. The increased adoption of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure represents a key strategy in any plan to reduce emissions and improve air quality and health.
Electric vehicle sales continue to increase in BC. To avoid the higher future costs of retrofitting buildings or facilities for electric vehicle charging, municipalities have the opportunity to proactively implement regulations by requiring that new buildings be "EV ready".
Advances in technology such as "shared" or "managed" power circuits now make it possible to have 100% of residential parking spaces with Level 2 (240 volt) EV ready circuits at reasonable cost.
Zoning bylaw provisions can be tailored to take into account local conditions and needs at the municipal level. Some developers have already recognized the need and advantages of providing for electric vehicles and are implementing infrastructure on a voluntary basis. However regulations covering all new construction are in the public interest in terms of keeping pace with EV sales, reducing emissions, reducing pollution and avoiding overbuilding EV infrastructure on non-residential properties that would not benefit from it.
Links to relevant information about EV charging infrastructure:
A Methodology to Revise a Municipal Zoning Bylaw for EV Infrastructure https://tinyurl.com/ModelZoningBylaw This document describes a three step method for implementing EV charging requirements for all buildings and properties using municipal zoning bylaws and includes a model (template) zoning bylaw amendment for EV charging requirements
Richmond EV charging Amendments to Zoning Bylaw 8500 https://tinyurl.com/y88e4fac This document is the Richmond BC amendment to their municipal bylaw that requires that 100% of residential parking spaces to have electric vehicle charging infrastructure for any new residential buildings constructed after April 1, 2018
Richmond Urban Development Institute – EV Charging Infrastructure http://udi.bc.ca/city-richmond-electric-vehicle-ev-charging-infrastructure/ This is a link to the Richmond Urban Development Institute webpage which indicates the UDI position and support for the City of Richmond Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure plan that includes load management
Vancouver EV Charging Amendments Bylaw 6059 (Appendix B) https://www.scribd.com/document/373986982/Vancouver-Bylaw-Amendment-to-Bylaw6059 This document is full report to Vancouver Council that includes Parking Bylaw 6059 (as Appendix B) that requires that 100% of residential parking spaces (except visitor spaces) to have electric vehicle charging infrastructure for any new residential buildings constructed after January 1, 2019.
A Comparison of the Use of Building & Zoning Bylaws to regulate EV infrastructure https://tinyurl.com/y9sbrv5o This document compares the use of municipal building codes and zoning bylaws to regulate electric vehicle charging requirements. The conclusion is that zoning bylaws are the preferred method
³ British Columbia – Greenhouse gas emissions from all sources (2013)
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