The LPDD team is proud to announce the release of a new model law, our EV-Ready Commercial Building Code, which complements our previously published EV-Ready building code for one- and two-family homes. Among other contributors who wish to remain anonymous, this new model law received drafting from James Goldberg and peer review from Richard Wallsgrove at the University of Hawaii Law School. It is available here.
Excerpted from the introductory memorandum to the model law:
EV-ready charging infrastructure is significantly less expensive to install during new construction than it is for a building retrofit. One study indicates that for a parking lot with 10 total spaces and two charging stations, the estimated EV infrastructure costs amount to $920 per charger during new construction, versus $3,710 per charger for a retrofit, largely because of trenching, demolition, and additional permitting costs. Therefore, preparing for the electrification of the transportation sector now with building codes that plan for the growth of the EV market will save retrofit costs.
Municipalities should consider the adoption of an EV-ready building code requirement within their jurisdictions. The proposed ordinance would require new or significantly altered commercial, industrial, or multi-family residential buildings to be equipped with the installation of Level 2 electric vehicle supply equipment in proximity to parking spaces.