Port Moody council will hold a public hearing Feb. 12 to receive input on its proposed bylaw amendment to require the installation of outlets for electric vehicle charging stations in parking stalls of new developments.
The proposal would require infrastructure like plugs, wiring and electrical panels to accommodate stations that can charge an electric vehicle in two to six hours be installed in every parking stall of new residential developments and at least 20% of commercial parking stalls. Owners would still have to install the actual charging stations at their parking stalls, at a cost that can range from $500 to $1,500 each.
In a staff report presented to council in January, Port Moody’s sustainability and energy coordinator, Laura Sampliner said the installation of the infrastructure would cost developers anywhere from $200 for a single outlet in a parking stall in a ground-oriented building to up to $5,000 per stall in multi-unit buildings. She said some of that money could be recouped by a rebate program offered by BC Hydro.
The report said ownership of electric vehicles is growing and other municipalities around Metro Vancouver have begun enacting similar bylaws. In New Westminster, 100% of parking spaces in new residential buildings approved after April 1 will have to have Level 2 outlets.
Currently Port Moody negotiates the provision of charging infrastructure on a project-by-project basis with every developer.
Next Tuesday's public hearing begins at 7 p.m. in council chambers at Port Moody city hall.
