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Electric Vehicles

Requirements for EV Readiness in new non-residential buildings came into effect January 1, 2025. To see EV Ready requirements for both residential and non-residential buildings, read below.

Transportation accounts for approximately 50% of community greenhouse gas emissions in New Westminster. The City aims to reduce these emissions and improve quality of life with its two transportation-related Bold Steps:

Car Light Community

60% of all trips within the City will be by sustainable modes of transportation by 2030.

Pollution free vehicles

By 2030, 50% of kilometers driven by New Westminster registered vehicles will be by zero emission vehicles.

Interested in seeing New Westminster’s progress on reaching its climate goals and Bold Steps? Check out our Seven Bold Steps Dashboard.

The City of New Westminster is committed to accelerating electric mobility (e-mobility) adoption in our community, including electric vehicles. The use of EVs instead of conventional internal combustion engine vehicles helps:

  • improve air quality,
  • combat climate change,
  • reduce noise, and
  • foster green economic development, among other benefits.

The availability of EV charging infrastructure at home and on the go is one of the most important factors in an individual’s decision to purchase an EV.

The City has developed an e-Mobility Strategy which supports the installation of electric vehicle charging stations across our community. 

The City requires new residential, commercial, industrial and institutional buildings to be equipped with energized outlets that allow for Level 2 EV charging. Please read the below sections to learn about EV charging and EV Ready requirements in New Westminster.

  • Public Charging Stations

    Please visit www.plugshare.com for a list of EV charging stations.

    City-managed public charging stations in New Westminster are located at:

    • City Hall parking lot
    • Queen's 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
    • təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre

  • Public EV Charging Station Fees and How to Pay

    The City charges a fee for the use of its public EV charging stations; this allows the City to recover its costs for operation, maintenance, and expansions of the EV charging network.

    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 to $0.21 per minute)

    How to pay for EV Charging

    The City's EV chargers are run by FLO, a Canadian EV charging network operator and manufacturer.

     

    To start and pay for your FLO EV charging session, please follow these steps:

    1. Download the FLO app from your phone’s app store (for example, Google Play or Apple App Store).    
    2. Create a free FLO account.
    3. Add money to your FLO wallet using your preferred payment method.
    4. Use the FLO app map to start your charging session. Your vehicle should start charging in 5 to 10 seconds.
    5. When you’re done charging, unplug the EV charger from your car and return it to the station. The EV charging cost will withdraw automatically from your FLO wallet.

     

    Alternatively, you may call the number on the front of the FLO EV charging station and they will guide you through the payment process (extra fees may apply).

    Note: Some EV chargers use different companies (like Chargepoint, SWTCH, Hypercharge, or others). To use those chargers, you will need to download their app.

  • EV Charging Readiness Requirement for New Residential Buildings

    As of April 1, 2019, all new buildings containing at least one residential unit are required to install a Level 2 (208-240V) energized outlet to each residential parking space.

    The City recognizes that over time, the majority of EV charging will occur at home. As such, equipping new residential buildings with the capacity for EV charging at a level where a full charge can easily occur during the evening and overnight 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 at the time of construction, rather than retrofitting afterwards.

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

    Visitor parking stalls are excluded from this requirement, although the City’s Development Permit Area (DPA) guidelines recommend that providing EV charging infrastructure should 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 Requirement for New Commercial, Institutional and Industrial Buildings

    As of January 1, 2025, for new buildings (except hotels) that contain at least 100 square meters of non-residential floor area (such as commercial, institutional, and industrial uses) 50% of provided off-street parking spaces must be EV Ready. EV Ready means providing an electrical outlet at the parking space capable of providing Level 2 EV Charging. Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), also known as EV chargers, are not required to be installed, however, they are encouraged.

    For hotels, 100% of provided off-street parking spaces must be EV Ready as their use is considered more residential in nature.

    EV Charging at non-residential buildings helps those who cannot charge at home. Level 2 chargers that allow for load-sharing between vehicles are suitable for workers who will be parked at a building for a longer duration, while dedicated, non-load shared Level 2 chargers are envisioned for visitors who spend less time at a building.

    EV-Ready construction futureproofs parking lots by installing electrical infrastructure at the most cost-effective point in a building’s life cycle, avoiding expensive retrofits in the future, and allowing employers and building managers to install EV chargers as demand from workers grows.

    These requirements were adopted by City Council on November 18, 2024. Please view the City’s updated Zoning Bylaw, Section 100 to learn more about the EV Ready requirements for new, non-residential buildings in New Westminster. 

    November 4 2024 Report to Council on the EV Ready requirement for new, non-residential buildings

  • 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

    Make Your Condo EV Ready Guide

    Make Your Condo EV Ready is a comprehensive guide designed to support owners and residents, strata councils, building management teams, and developers who wish to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in existing multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs).

    The guide details legal requirements, best practices, available government and non-governmental resources, and a step-by-step implementation process. It also has tailored advice for British Columbia strata buildings.

    Access the guide here.

    New Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Guide for Shared Parking Areas

    This guide provides resources to support the implementation of EV charging infrastructure in new and existing buildings, with a full review of electrical infrastructure configurations applicable for EV charging.