Vancouver approves plans for mandatory plugs in new parking lots
We told you a few days ago that the city of Vancouver, British Columbia was considering mandating the installation of electrical vehicle charging ports in new parking garages. The city council has now voted unanimously to approve the plan. Going forward, any property developers building parking facilities for apartments or condominiums will have to install charging ports in at least 20 percent of the stalls. Charging ports will also be installed in city-owned parking lots. This will certainly help address the needs of future electric car owners who don't live in a house with a garage. The 20 percent plan was double the original proposal's 10 percent installation rate. Developers will have 18 months before they have to start installing the charging stations, which cost $500-$2,000 each. The problem of charging still persists for those living in existing buildings. Those people may decide they're better off moving to a new place, and if the trend becomes big enough, it may prompt management companies to retrofit existing facilities.
[Source: CBC]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Thunderbuck 3:32PM (7/10/2009)
Just got back from a weekend in Vancouver, coincidentally enough...
Developers are complaining, claiming there are only a few full-EVs in the city, though I managed to see a Tesla AND a RAV4-EV in my few days there. I also saw a bazillion Priuses, suggesting to me that when EVs become widely available that the locals will embrace them enthusiastically.
Speaking of those Priuses, it's worth noting that the Prius is a VERY common taxi in Vancouver now.
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Herm 4:19PM (7/10/2009)
It is a good move... people will start stealing the charging cords for the copper so I hope the budget for the replacements and the maintenance people to replace them.
Perhaps a tax on BEV to pay for it?
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locoyocal 6:19PM (7/10/2009)
I bet the city gets a % cut of electricity sold.
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Robert 3:44AM (7/11/2009)
What about BYOC - Bring Your Own Cord, or Cords Not Included (a take on Batteries not Included), in other words - the city makes the power avialble to a plug - with or without metering and billing interfaces, and - defines the plug you need to plug in to their charger unit - you buy the interface to match! (with as long a cord as is practical for the power you need or reach you need to plug in).
As for my EV - It plugs in at any standard Duplex Home style 120V Plug with Ground, and - I have charged it up twice at Gas Stations! Remember - they have power outside to run things like Shop Vacs to clean up spills and also to power the Ice Freezer! http://www.myelectricfly.com - see the blog for updates!
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vpsoccer 5:53PM (11/16/2009)
And, all these separate spaces will have to have their own electric meters, or be wired into the meters for the units--otherwise all owners have to cover the cost of power for those few who have electric vehicles. This may make it extremely expensive in older buildings.
Real value to the economy would come from a meter that incorporated timers to allow full-flow charging during off-peak periods, with a higher price for vehicle charging during peak electricity periods.
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