In the third article in a series that explores how to make the built environment EV-ready, Brendan McEwen turns to commercial buildings, outlining how building codes and assessing user needs can achieve EV-ready outcomes

Previously in this series we examined “EV-ready” best practices for parking in new and existing multifamily residential buildings. But what about new and existing commercial buildings? How can public policy support access to EV charging where we work, shop, and recreate?

Unlike the scenarios in the first two articles, the solutions here aren’t so much technical as they are policy-based — mandating minimum EV-ready access and then determining the right type of charging depending on a building’s user profiles.

Nor is there a lack of best-practice examples. Many cities around the world have established requirements for new commercial buildings to feature EV charging infrastructure. For example, the cities of Toronto, Surrey and Port Moody in B.C., and multiple cities in California have all adopted requirements that 20 per cent or more of parking spaces in new non-residential developments feature either an EV charging station or an adjacent electrical outlet (i.e. be “EV-ready”).

These innovative policies will make it easier to charge EVs in these buildings in the future, and have informed similar proposals to update both Canada’s Model National Energy Code for Buildings and the International Building Code (referenced in the U.S. and other jurisdictions).

Tailoring EV-ready policies to match user needs

Cities, provinces and states adopting EV-ready requirements for new construction isn’t enough to ensure success, however. Property owners and managers thinking about how to proactively future-proof their own properties also must consider what sort of EV charging infrastructure is best suited to different building types.

Broadly, passenger vehicle charging occurs at home, at work and on-the-go. For some building types (e.g., offices or industrial), most of the parking is used by employees who will typically stay onsite for long periods of time, allowing for a relatively slow rate of charge to provide adequate amounts of power for end users. Conversely, retail parking will often have more turnover and shorter dwell times, necessitating faster charging infrastructure.

Catering to their building’s particular profile with the right charging infrastructure should be every property manager’s goal.

Innovation in EV-ready requirements in B.C.

AES Engineering and Dunsky Energy Consulting recently completed a study to help multiple B.C. local governments consider how best to establish EV-ready requirements for new non-residential buildings. This work started by articulating the values and objectives associated with providing both workplace and “on-the-go” charging. We then considered the implications for what types of EV charging infrastructure can best serve these applications.

The table below summarizes this analysis. Armed with this information, B.C. local governments are now in the process of consulting with stakeholders to introduce new requirements for EV-ready non-residential buildings in their parking requirements.

[table id=7 /]

Other Energy Code leaders following suit

Other jurisdictions and organizations are likewise considering EV charging requirements that better reflect the uses of parking found at different types of buildings. Notably, the New Buildings Institute recently released a Building Decarbonization Code. The Building Decarbonization Code is structured as an overlay to the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), frequently referenced by authorities in the U.S. States or local authorities can adoption the Building Decarbonization Code to support carbon neutral buildings and enable electric transportation.

Requirements for EV charging infrastructure are summarized in the table below (note: EV-load-management systems can be used to comply, limiting electrical demand):

[table id=8 /]

As noted in a previous article, cities are rightfully reducing or eliminating minimum parking requirements for new developments. But if parking is constructed, we need to ensure that EVs can charge. The progress demonstrated here by B.C.’s local governments, the New Buildings Institute and others points the way.

Brendan McEwen is Director of Electric Mobility & Low Carbon Strategies at AES Engineering, where he helps government and utility clients plan for the transition to a zero-emissions, electrified future.