BC Municipalities Prepare for Exponential EV Increase

As electric vehicle (EV) purchases continue to increase exponentially in BC, it is important that new building projects include EV charging infrastructure that is required to help reduce GHG emissions.

Known as futureproofing, BC municipalities can take action by amending their zoning bylaws to require energized charging outlets at the time of new construction to avoid more costly electrical retrofits.

The Victoria EV Association has recently reviewed the progress of 45 BC municipalities in future-proofing new construction.

The findings were:

• Ten municipalities in British Columbia with a combined population of more than 2.2 million persons have taken the proactive step of passing amendments to their zoning bylaws to provide for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.
• One municipality has implemented a Best Practices zoning bylaw for electric vehicle charging infrastructure (The District of Saanich)
• Nine municipalities have issued partial requirements for EV infrastructure that include residential parking spaces.
• The remining thirty-five municipalities (80%) have yet to take comprehensive action to provide for electric vehicle infrastructure in new construction.
• Of the 21 municipalities that have declared a climate change emergency,  4 of the 21  (20 %) have implemented adequate EV infrastructure requirements to date.

“Every new building project that should have EV infrastructure and that does not provide for it represents an expensive retrofit in the future” says James Locke, President of the Victoria Electric Vehicle Association”

James Locke’s advice is that “If someone is contemplating moving to a new residence, they should ask about the availability of an EV outlet for their unit. This is particularly important for multiple residential buildings where retro fitting will be most expensive.”

“Regardless of EV ownership, residential units with EV outlets will be more valuable than those without installed and energised EV outlets.” said Locke.

“Some developers are taking the initiative and are already providing some electric vehicle infrastructure, but this is the exception rather than the rule.” adds Locke.

Listing of 45 BC Municipalities regarding requirements for EV Infrastructure in new construction [1]

February 19, 2020

List A

Municipalities that have implemented comprehensive zoning bylaw requirements for all zoning classes (Best Practice).

The District of Saanich*

List B

Municipalities that have implemented a 100 % requirement for residential properties but have limited requirements for other zoning designations.

Township of Langley* City of New Westminster* City of Vancouver*

List C

Municipalities that have implemented a 100% requirement for residential properties but that have over or under specified EV requirements for other zoning designations.

City of Burnaby* City of Coquitlam City of Richmond* City of Surrey

City of North Vancouver* City of Port Moody*

List D

Municipalities that have either no, or exceptionally low EV infrastructure requirements.

Mainland:

City of Abbotsford                                                 City of Chilliwack

The Corporation of Delta                                      City of Kamloops

City of Kelowna                                                     City of Langley

City of Maple Ridge                                              District of Mission

City of Penticton                                                    City of Port Coquitlam

District of Squamish                                              City of Vernon

City of White Rock                                                District of West Kelowna District of West Vancouver*

Vancouver Island:

City of Campbell River                                          City of Courtenay

District of Central Saanich*                                   City of Colwood*

Town of Comox                                                     City of Duncan*

Township of Esquimalt*                                        District of Highlands*

City of Langford*                                                   District of Metchosin

City of Nanaimo*                                                   Municipality of North Cowichan

District of North Saanich*                                     District of Oak Bay*

City of Parksville                                                   Town of Qualicum Beach

Town of Sidney*                                                    District of Sooke*

City of Victoria*                                                     Town of View Royal*

*     Councils which have declared and registered a climate change emergency https://climateemergencydeclaration.org/

[1] Bylaw information is based on the latest consolidated version of the zoning bylaws posted on the respective municipal websites and does not include any actions that may be pending before Council. Please consider reporting any errors or omissions such that we can keep our records as accurate as possible.