Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles are an environmentally-friendly mode of transportation. As zero-emission vehicles gain momentum across BC, the City of New Westminster is incorporating electric vehicles into its automotive fleet, installing public electric vehicle charging stations in the community, and requiring new buildings to have the required electrical infrastructure to allow for Level 2 electric vehicle charging. Transportation accounts for approximately 50% of community greenhouse gas emissions in New Westminster. As such, low-carbon and zero-emission vehicles have a vital role to play in achieving our GHG emission reduction targets.
Public Charging Stations
For a list of EV charging stations, visit www.plugshare.com
City-managed public charging stations within New Westminster are located at:
- City Hall parking lot
- Queens Park Arena parking lot
- Colborne Street at Eighth Avenue
- Carnarvon Street at Sixth Street
- Tenth Street at Agnes Street
- Third Avenue at Sixth Street
- Front Street Parkade
- Anvil Centre Parkade
Charging Infrastructure on Private Property
There are five components necessary for charging electric vehicles (EV):
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Adequate capacity at the building’s electrical panel for EV charging;
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Electrical raceway and conduit from the electrical panel to each parking stall;
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An energized outlet at each parking stall, labelled for its intended use of electric vehicle charging;
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Energy (load) management and load sharing systems are control technologies in EV service equipment that reduces peak power demand and improves the use of charging systems, reducing electrical infrastructure costs; and,
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EV charging unit with a cable to reach of the plug-in socket of the vehicle.
Components 1 to 3 (electric vehicle infrastructure) can be cost-effectively designed and installed at the time of construction. Component 4 (smart charging/load management systems) can be implemented at the time of construction or following building completion. Component 5 (actual charging unit) would typically be selected by the owner, builder, or developer following building completion.
For additional information, review Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Requirements in New Westminster.