Electric Vehicle-Ready Parking 101

Electric vehicle-ready building codes and ordinances help expand charging infrastructure

Minimum electric vehicle-ready requirements in building codes and ordinances increase electric vehicle (EV) adoption and access by ensuring that buildings have EV charging infrastructure that meets community needs. EV-ready building codes and ordinances also reduce the need for costly retrofits, as they tend to focus on future-proofing buildings and preparing for expected trends in the transportation sector.

Examples of cost savings from new construction vs. retrofits

Numerous studies have explored the cost difference between new construction and retrofits regarding EV infrastructure.

In Florida, the City of Orlando highlighted a local EV-ready building cost example before the passage of the city’s EV-ready ordinance in 2021. The city found that for a 116-unit affordable multifamily dwelling project, providing 20 percent of parking spots as EV charger-capable and 2 percent as EV charger-installed added just 0.0009 percent to the total construction costs.

The city estimated that efforts to include EV infrastructure in new construction could save 75 percent in construction costs compared to retrofitting.

Studies showing the cost difference between new construction and retrofits for EV charger installation

Sources:

City of Orlando, “EV Ready Code” (presentation, March 17, 2021), 26, https://www.orlando.gov/files/sharedassets/public/departments/edv/accc-ev-ready-commissioner-briefings_updated.pdf

Electric Power Research Institute, “Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Installed Cost Analysis,” (technical report, December 2013), B-9, https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002000577

Tim Minezaki, Cassidee Kido, and Ed Pike, Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Cost Analysis Report for Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) & Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE), Energy Solutions, November 20, 2019, https://bayareareachcodes.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/PCE_SCVE-EV-Infrastructure-Report-2019.11.05.pdf.

State government roles

The Construction Codes and Licensing Division of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) administers the building code in partnership with local governments. While the department regularly updates the code, the legislature can also amend it by creating new regulations or changing how the existing codes apply within Minnesota.

In 2023, a law was enacted mandating DLI to establish EV-ready standards for new commercial buildings and multifamily buildings with four or more units. While DLI will implement this legislation through an administrative rulemaking process beginning in 2025, the Construction Codes Advisory Council at DLI also approved a code change proposal, effectively expanding the requirements to all residential buildings. The proposal establishes rules for new single- and two-family homes and townhouses to provide an “EV-ready” or “EV-capable” space.

In addition to these measures, states can enact right-to-charge laws, which ensure that residents of multi-unit dwellings have the legal right to install EV charging stations. These laws can help overcome barriers to EV adoption in areas with multifamily dwellings.

Furthermore, states can encourage utilities to invest in EV charging infrastructure at multi-unit dwellings, providing incentives and support for the installation of charging stations. This dual approach not only promotes equitable access to EV charging but also supports the broader transition to EVs.

Local government roles

Local governments can encourage EV adoption and boost local economies by strategically placing chargers at accessible locations. These locations include public parking lots, shopping centers, and residential areas where potential EV owners may not have access to charging at home.

Cities can also leverage their unique position to accelerate EV infrastructure build-out and ensure long-term savings by optimizing commercial parking requirements and parking area designs through zoning ordinances. While local zoning ordinances can influence development in many ways, including determining permitted land uses, setting minimum requirements for construction, and setting safety and signage requirements, they cannot supersede the Minnesota building code.

While the DLI rulemaking is taking place, local governments can accelerate EV readiness and remove barriers to electrification by participating in Charging Smart, a designation program led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council. The Great Plains Institute is a lead partner in the program and provides free one-on-one technical assistance to communities.

Additionally, local governments can refer to a Summary of Best Practices in Electric Vehicle Ordinances, created by the Great Plains Institute. The summary aggregates inventoried municipal EV ordinances by best practice category and provides ideas on creating a successful EV ordinance.

Property owner roles

Property owners play a pivotal role in fostering EV adoption because they are the primary decision makers in providing accessible EV charging to tenants.

According to the National Multifamily Housing Council, about one-third of US households live in multi-unit dwellings, such as apartments and condos, and almost 75 percent of multi-unit dwellings have at least one vehicle.

Property owners are responsible for keeping up with local EV-ready building codes and working with local governments to secure permits or schedule inspections to install EV charging infrastructure.

Accessibility considerations

The Americans with Disability Act requires that site developers installing EV charging stations follow special design guidelines to accommodate people with disabilities. The US Access Board and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency have issued guidance on the minimum standards that should be kept in mind when installing infrastructure to avoid expensive retrofits later.

Tesla, ChargePoint, and the California Electric Transportation Coalition conducted a study that found that retrofitting for accessibility requirements added between $11,500 and $32,500 in demolition and repair costs to remove and repair 100 to 300 linear feet of surface parking.

Benefits of expanding access to EV charging

Incorporating EV infrastructure benefits many different users, such as residents, employees, and tourists.

Many EV drivers can easily charge at home on a Level 1 or Level 2 charger. For those without access to home charging, such as multi-dwelling residents, deploying EV-ready solutions will speed up EV adoption and remove barriers to charging access.

In the meantime, adding chargers at workplaces and public spaces will enable residents without access to at-home charging to pursue EV adoption. Further, publicly accessible EV charging at city centers, shopping plazas, and parking ramps can provide tourists and residents with convenient vehicle charging locations in these high-traffic areas. This can elevate cities and towns to EV road trip destinations.

Downloadable fact sheets

Download our fact sheets tailored to different audiences below!

• EV-Ready Parking 101 for Local Governments
• EV-Ready Parking 101 for Policy Makers
• EV-Ready Parking 101 for Property Owners