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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):

  1. Adequate capacity at the building’s electrical panel for EV charging;

  2. Electrical raceway and conduit from the electrical panel to each parking stall;

  3. An energized outlet at each parking stall, labelled for its intended use of electric vehicle charging;

  4. 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,

  5. 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.

  • PUBLIC EV CHARGING STATION FEES

    The City charges a fee for the use of its public electric vehicle charging stations. This fee allows the City to recover its costs for the operation, maintenance, and expansion of its charging infrastructure. Payments can be made through the station network providers, Flo and SemaConnect, using an RFID card or the provider’s app. Please note that charging fees are additional to applicable parking fees at each location.

    Fees at each of the stations vary depending on site characteristics and are as follows:

    Level 2 Chargers – Charged per hour

    • Dedicated Charging: $2/hr (Note: Anvil Centre Level 2 chargers offer dedicated charging at $1/hr)
    • Load Shared Charging: $1/hr
       

    Level 3 Fast Chargers – Charged per minute

    • Dedicated Circuit:  $12.6/hr equivalent ($0.21/minute)

  • EV Charging Readiness for New Residential Buildings

    Starting April 1, 2019, all new buildings containing at least one residential unit will be required to install a Level 2 (208 to 240 volt) energized outlet to the residential parking spaces.

    Access to charging at home is a key factor in the decision to purchase an electric vehicle (EV). The City recognizes that over time the majority of electric vehicle charging will mainly occur at home, rather than ‘at work’ or ‘on the go’. As such, equipping new residential buildings with the capacity for electric vehicle charging at a level where a full charge can easily occur during the evening and overnight hours is prioritized and is key in supporting the transition to zero-emission vehicles in New Westminster.

    It is also much more cost-effective to provide EV charging infrastructure when a building is constructed, rather than retrofitting a building afterward to the same level of EV service capacity. Given that new buildings have a lifespan of several decades or more, it is prudent to put in place electrical infrastructure that will enable an expected shift to zero-emission vehicles over time.

    Starting April 1, 2019, all new buildings that contain at least one residential unit will be required to install a Level 2 (208 to 240 volt) energized outlet to the residential parking spaces.

    Note that the addition of a new secondary suite within an existing single detached home does not require the addition of an energized outlet.

    While visitor parking stalls are also excluded from this requirement, the City’s updated Development Permit Area (DPA) guidelines recommend that provision of EV charging infrastructure also be considered for visitor spaces in multi-unit developments.

    These requirements were adopted by City Council on October 1, 2018, and are now part of Section 100 of the Zoning Bylaw. 

  • EV Charging Readiness for New Commercial, Institutional and Industrial Buildings

    Providing spaces for students, customers, and employees to charge vehicles during the day is encouraged in new commercial and institutional buildings.

    The demand for charging facilities at new commercial and institutional locations, including schools, is much lower than residential uses. However, some provision for EV charging 'at work' is important for broadening the range of charging options within the community. This provides an opportunity for an employee, customer or student to charge their electric vehicle on-site.

    Please view the City's updated Development Permit Area (DPA) guidelines to learn more about the recommended EV charging infrastructure. 

  • Resources & Background Material

    Resources

    Adding Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to Existing Residential Buildings

    For apartment, condo, and townhome dwellers, strata councils, and property managers looking to install EV charging stations, visit EVCondo.ca

    Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Requirements

    The guide for Electrical Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Requirements in New Westminster provides an overview of the City's electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure requirements. The guide provides information for owners, applicants, designers and builders and outlines requirements for residential parking spaces to feature electrical outlets capable of providing Level 2 electric vehicle charging. For larger buildings, this bulletin also provides guidance on EV energy management systems for managing the electrical load associated with EVs, as well as indicating a minimum performance level to ensure an adequate overnight recharging rate of vehicles. 

    New Electric Vehicle Charging Guide for Local Governments

    This guide provides guidance on improving access to EV charging in new and existing residential buildings.
     
    New Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Guide for Shared Parking Areas
     

    This guide provides resources to support implementation of EV charging infrastructure in new and existing buildings, with a full review of electrical infrastructure configurations applicable for EV charging, such as dedicated circuits, circuit sharing strategies, as well as load management options in buildings.

     

    Background Material