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Electrical car charging infrastructure for all new Port Coquitlam homes?

New homes being built in Port Coquitlam may soon be required to have charging infrastructure for electric cars.
Nissan
A Nissan Leaf electric car being charged.

New homes being built in Port Coquitlam may soon be required to have charging infrastructure for electric cars.

That's a proposal being considered by the city as it calls for feedback this and next month on potential bylaw and policy changes to accommodate electric vehicle drivers.

The municipality, which is asking for online comments until April 21 via portcoquitlam.ca/ev, is looking at regulations that — if adopted — would see any new detached houses, duplexes, townhomes and row homes equipped with gear to allow Level 2 EV charging panels in parking areas for future hookups.

As well, new apartment complexes would need to have Level 2 charging infrastructure.

Existing residential buildings would also have to upgrade to a new power supply to support future EV charging when its current electrical supply is changed. And, during rezonings for commercial, industrial and institutional buildings, pre-wirings or rough-ins for Level 2 EV charging would be sought for shared parking, on a case-by-case basis.

The city's smart growth committee will collect the responses before council endorses any amendments.

The move follows Vancouver, the city of North Vancouver and Richmond, which have already sanctioned EV regulations for their buildings.

The move also comes as the city retools its green policies and brings on a new environmental co-ordinator.

• For more details on the city's proposed electric vehicle changes, visit portcoquitlam.ca/ev or call at 604-927-5267 or email maceachernn@portcoquitlam.ca.

jcleugh@tricitynews.com