10-a 20-1008 Proposed Amendments to Chapter 55 - Unified Development Code to Amend the Parking Standards (Section 5.19) to require electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure for new development projects that require a Site Plan for City Council. Amendments would require installation of EV systems and infrastructure as a percentage of the overall parking requirement. The requirements will include three different types of EV charging station infrastructure: 1) EV Capable (capacity to install future EV systems), 2) EV Ready (partially installed system), and 3) EV Installed (fully installed system). Land uses affected by these proposed amendments include residential, commercial, office and research, transportation, industrial, and accessory uses. Staff Recommendation: Approval
This is a very good ordinance. I have just one suggestion. The ordinance recommends, but doesn't require, that EV chargers be powered by renewable energy. To ensure as much clean electricity as possible for these EVs, we should go further. Require solar for commercial and multifamily residential installed EV charging stations. (Not all single family dwellings are suitable for solar.) For these open parking lots, require that every EV-installed space be coupled to photovoltaic cells with a minimum power of 2.6 kW. That’s roughly the photovoltaics that would fit on a carport roof above a typical parking space. (A freestanding solar installation nearby would also be OK.) Given that the average EV goes 3 miles for every KWh of energy its battery takes in, charging an EV at such a solar station for 5 hours would add 40 miles to that car’s range, enough extra mileage for most commuters. These solar-powered stations can also be connected to the grid to ensure sufficient power on cloudy days.
This is a very good ordinance. I have just one suggestion. The ordinance recommends, but doesn't require, that EV chargers be powered by renewable energy. To ensure as much clean electricity as possible for these EVs, we should go further. Require solar for commercial and multifamily residential installed EV charging stations. (Not all single family dwellings are suitable for solar.) For these open parking lots, require that every EV-installed space be coupled to photovoltaic cells with a minimum power of 2.6 kW. That’s roughly the photovoltaics that would fit on a carport roof above a typical parking space. (A freestanding solar installation nearby would also be OK.) Given that the average EV goes 3 miles for every KWh of energy its battery takes in, charging an EV at such a solar station for 5 hours would add 40 miles to that car’s range, enough extra mileage for most commuters. These solar-powered stations can also be connected to the grid to ensure sufficient power on cloudy days.