Requirements for electric vehicle (EV) charging outlets for new residential builds have been given initial consideration by 麻豆精选 council, despite concerns of adding to housing costs.
One EV outlet per dwelling unit would be required for new developments by Apr. 1, 2024. There is an exception for rental-only zones where a minimum of 25 per cent of parking spaces require one outlet.
鈥淲e know that availability of home charging is critical to the transition to EVs,鈥� said Todd Brunner, community energy specialist.
In a report to council Brunner noted that approximately one in five vehicles sold in B.C. are EVs.
The provincial and federal governments have mandated that 100 per cent of new sales must be EVs by 2035.
The cost for an EV-ready stall in new builds ranges between $930 to $1,550, while retrofitting existing buildings is three times more expensive, according to the report.
鈥淓very time we add an additional regulation or cost we add to the unaffordability, it鈥檚 one of the biggest issues in the community,鈥� said Coun. Ron Cannan. 鈥淚 have some trouble with making this mandatory.鈥�
Cannan suggested the issue be forwarded to a public hearing.
Coun. Luke Stack felt staff had come up with a balanced approach.
鈥淚 do concede though that councillor Cannan鈥檚 points are correct. Every time we add another thousand dollars or five thousand dollars to a home we are working against the affordability challenge.鈥�
Stack pointed out though that the city could run into a wall in ten years if no action was taken.
鈥淲here we have everyone needed electric vehicles and nowhere to plug them in,鈥� he said.
Mayor Tom Dyas also had concerns about adding more costs to housing.
鈥淲e know exactly where this cost is going. This cost is going right down to the person who buys a unit.鈥�
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