Electric Vehicle Policies.
Electric vehicle policies can benefit the continued and increasing adoption of electric vehicles in BC and across Canada. Below is a list of policies that various levels of government (municipal, regional, provincial, and federal) have taken to support EVs. This is not to be confused with EV incentives such as point-of-sale vehicle incentives. This list is not exhaustive.
Federal
Canadian Tax Code Capital Cost Allowance Classes.
EV charging stations can be classified at a higher rate than previous allowances. The new rates are:
- Class 43.1 with a CCA rate of 30% electrical vehicle charging stations (EVCSs) set up to supply more than 10 kilowatts but less than 90 kilowatts of continuous power. This is for property acquired for use after March 21, 2016, that has not been used or acquired for use before March 22, 2016.
- Class 43.2 with a CCA rate of 50% electrical vehicle charging stations (EVCSs) set up to supply 90 kilowatts and more of continuous power. This is for property acquired for use after March 21, 2016, that has not been used or acquired for use before March 22, 2016.
This is useful for businesses that wish to claim depreciation expenses for Federal income taxes.
British Columbia
Zero-Emission Vehicles Act
This act requires automakers to meet an escalating annual percentage of new light-duty ZEV sales and leases.
In November 2023, as part of the commitments within the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 (PDF 9.4 MB), the ZEV Act’s provincial ZEV sales targets were accelerated reaching:
- 26% of light-duty and Class 2B (*) vehicle sales by 2026
- 90% by 2030 and
- 100% by 2035
(*) New vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less are part of this sales requirement.
Ministerial Order M104
This order allows persons who are not otherwise public utilities, as well as landlords and strata corporations, to provide EV charging services for compensation. Please note that payment for electricity by kWh still requires a device approved by Measurement Canada some providers may still charge based on time instead of energy depending on the capabilities of their charging stations.
HOV Lane Access
This policy allowing EVs access to high occupancy vehcile lanes regardless of the number of passengers. See more details and order the required HOV lane decal on the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure site.
Provincial Building Act
The building act was revised in 2016 to define EV chargers as matters ‘out of scope’ under the Building Act. ‘Out of scope’ is defined as “matters… local government can regulate… if they have authority to do so in other statutes.” This gives local governments greater flexibility in making decisions regarding the use of EV charging in new developments.
BC Strata Property Act
Bill 22 amended the Strata Property Act and received royal assent of May 11, 2023. These amendments improve access to EV charging in residential strata buildings by:
- Lowering the voting threshold from 75% to 50% approval for expenditures and changes to common and personal property that are needed to install EV charging stations.
- Requiring strata corporations to obtain an electrical planning report to help understand the building’s electrical capacity and plan for the expansion of EV charging stations.
- Requiring strata corporations to approve owners’ requests to install EV charging stations, at the owner’s expense, if reasonable criteria are met.
- View the press release here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HOUS0019-000465
- Vancouver Island Strata Owners Association article: Changes to the Strata Property Act re Electric Vehicle Charging – Vancouver Island Strata Owners Association (visoa.bc.ca)
Previously, the act was revised in March 2017 under regulation 6.9 to clarify that variable user fees are permitted for the use of strata common property. A consumption based rate may be charged to users to recover expenses as long as it is reasonable and in a bylaw or rule. Examples include electricity usage for those charging electric vehicles.
Municipal
Over 20% of municipalities in B.C. have EV parking bylaws already in effect for new buildings, and the combined population of these municipalities collectively represents more than 70% of the provincial population. This trend has encouraged other municipalities to review their zoning bylaws to require EV charging infrastructure in parking spaces for new buildings. Of the EV parking bylaws that have been implemented, some municipalities require only residential EV parking, while others also include commercial and institutional EV parking. These parking requirements generally achieve either EV-Ready Parking or EV-Capable Parking.
EV Ready Parking
- A designated parking space which is provided with a dedicated branch circuit that is assigned for electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) terminating in a receptacle or junction box located in close proximity to the proposed location of the EV parking space.
- For two adjacent EV-Ready spaces, a single branch circuit is permitted.
EV Capable Parking
- A dedicated parking space with electrical panel capacity and space for a branch circuit dedicated to the EV parking space that is equipped with raceways, both underground and surface mounted, to enable future EVSE installation.
- For two adjacent EV-Capable spaces, a single branch circuit is permitted.
Note that many municipalities with EV-Ready bylaws have also adopted industry best practices for minimum charging performance requirements in new construction. These requirements are intended to encourage electrical designs that can support circuit sharing with multiple EV chargers per circuit. These types of designs are beneficial because they allow for improved electrical load management, and they can help avoid costly electrical service upgrades.
Abbotsford
Bylaw No. 3249-2022, “Abbotsford Zoning Bylaw, 2014, Amendment Bylaw No. 432” contains EV Ready requirements that will come into effect on Dec 17, 2022.
For residential Principal Uses with common parking areas:
- a) all required Parking Spaces for Dwelling Units are required to have raceways or conduit, with drawstrings, capable of providing Level 2 Charging or higher, including all electrical equipment; and
- b) all required Parking Spaces or 1 per Dwelling Unit, whichever is less, are required to have an adjacent Energized Outlet, capable of providing Level 2 Charging or higher.
Burnaby
City of Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 13903, Amendment Bylaw No. 24, 2018 includes provisions for electric vehicle charging requirements for new residential developments.
- All parking spaces for dwelling units shall include an energized outlet capable of providing Level 2 charging or higher
- Includes single-family homes and multi-family buildings of all sizes
- Exceptions include visitor and secondary suite parking, and parking for existing units
- Bylaw is in effect starting September 1 2018.
Central Saanich (District)
See the District of Central Saanich’s land use bylaws for EV ready parking in new residential, institutional, commercial and industrial buildings (September 1, 2020).
- See Table 2: Number of Required Parking Spaces Based on Land Use (p.140) for reference. Residential apartments require 1.5 parking spaces per dwelling unit and the minimum of energized spaces is 100% for Level 2 charging.
Additionally, see the District’s EV and E-Bike Strategy.
Chilliwack
As per City of Chilliwack zoning bylaw 202o, 5000, electric vehicle infrastructure must be provided in new buildings:
- Apartments: A minimum of 1 Level-2 energized outlet, including all electrical equipment, for 25% of all off-street parking spaces, excluding visitor spaces. Raceways/conduit, including drawstrings, capable of providing future Level 2 energized outlets must be installed for the remaining 75% of all off-street parking spaces, excluding visitor spaces.
- Townhouses: A minimum of 1 Level-2 energized outlet, including all electrical equipment, per dwelling unit.
Coquitlam
The City of Coquitlam zoning bylaw has been amended to include EV parking spaces. See Part 714 of the bylaw.
- July 30th 2018. See the requirements guide.
- All new constructions must have one energized outlet capable of L2 charging for every dwelling unit (includes single family and MURBs).
- If the number of parking spaces is less than the number of dwelling units, all residential parking spots must have an energized outlet with Level 2 or higher charging capabilities.
Delta
As per Delta zoning bylaw No. 7600, 2017:
- A minimum of one Level 2 outlet per principal unit for single detached and duplex dwellings. Secondary suites and coach houses are exempt from this requirement.
- 100% of resident parking spaces in multi‐unit developments to be provided with either a dedicated outlet or charging capacity through load sharing.
- A minimum of one Level 2 outlet per unit in townhouse developments with individual garages.
- 100% of resident parking spaces provided with either a dedicated outlet or charging capacity through load sharing in townhouse developments with shared parking garages.
Duncan
Multi-unit residential, commercial, or community uses must install one (1) electric vehicle charging station, minimum Level-2, for every 20 required off-street parking spaces. Adopted August 17, 2020. See Duncan zoning bylaw.
Esquimalt
Each Parking Area shall be designed and constructed to include electric vehicle charging infrastructure in accordance with the provisions of bylaw 3014.
- All Energized Electric Vehicle Outlets shall provide, at a minimum, a Level 2 electric charging level as defined by SAE International’s J1772 standard.
- The minimum number of Energized Electric Vehicle Outlets required for residential use shall be calculated in accordance with Table 1, which is 1 per parking space in MURBs
Kamloops
The city of Kamloops adopted a revised zoning bylaw in September 2022 to mandate EV charging requirements in all new residential developments. As of Jan. 1, 2023, all new residential buildings in the city must have electrical infrastructure to support Level 2 EV charging for a minimum of one parking space per unit. Additionally, for buildings that are over three storeys in height, developers must complete an “EV-capable plan.” This is a strategy that outlines the electrical capacity of a building, prior to construction.
The City of Kamloops council authorized the adoption of the Electric Vehicle (EV) and Electric Bike (E-Bike) Strategy on August 25, 2020. See the strategy here.
Targets include:
- By 2023, all newly constructed off-street residential parking will be EV-ready.
- By 2030, all residential parking in existing apartments will be EV-ready.
- By 2030, most households without access to on-site parking for “at-home” charging will have access to EV charging, through a mix of workplace, on-street, and other forms of public charging (to be measured via surveys and/or other analysis).
Kelowna
As per City of Kelowna zoning bylaw 12375: Any development with residential dwelling units that provides an on-site parking spaces for that dwelling unit must be an electric vehicle energized outlet capable of providing level 2 charging. The rate shall be one energized space per dwelling unit that is provided a parking stall.
The City of Kelowna provides a parking Eco Pass for electric vehicles. Electric vehicles, including plug-in hybrids, can receive a one year eco pass which allows two hours of free parking a day in paid parking areas.
Langford
The City of Langford’s master zoning bylaw amended effective June 20, 2022. All parking spaces, excluding visitor parking spaces, shall include conduits capable of providing wiring for Level 2 Electric Vehicle charging in the future.
Langley (Township)
In the Township of Langley’s Zoning Bylaw, all new residential construction, including single-home dwellings, townhouses and apartments, required one space per dwelling unit to have EV charging requirements, starting from Nov. 4, 2019.
Maple Ridge
The City of Maple Ridge’s Bylaw No. 4350-1990 – Schedule F requires that:
- Single Detached Residential, Two-Unit Residential, triplex residential, fourplex residential, courtyard residential, Townhouse and Street Townhouse residential use, a minimum of one parking space per dwelling unit shall be provided with roughed-in infrastructure capable of providing Level 2 charging;
- Apartment use, not including Townhouse, in all CD zones as well as in the RM-2, RM-3, RM-4, RM-5, RM-6, C-1, C-2, C-3, C-5, CS-1, H-1, H-2, and CRM zones, each parking space provided for residential use, excluding visitor parking spaces, shall be provided with roughed-in infrastructure capable of providing Level 2 charging;
- Apartment and Townhouse use in all CD zones as well as in the RM-1, RM-2, RM-3, RM-4, RM-5, RM-6, C-1, C-2, C-3, C-5, CS-1, H-1, H-2, and CRM zones, a minimum of 50% of required visitor parking spaces shall be provided with roughed-in infrastructure capable of providing Level 2 charging;
- Commercial uses with 10 or more required off-street parking spaces, a minimum of 10% of the parking spaces shall each be provided with roughed-in infrastructure capable of providing Level 2 charging.
Mission
See City of Mission zoning bylaw 5459-2020.
All Off Street Motor Vehicle Parking spaces required for Apartments and Townhouses shall meet the following requirement for the provision of Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure:
- Apartment and townhouse: 100% of all required Off Street Motor Vehicle parking spaces shall be Level 2 roughed-in.
- Commercial, Industrial, Institutional: 20% of all required Off Street Motor Vehicle parking spaces shall be Level 2 roughed-in; 1% of all required Off Street Motor Vehicle parking spaces shall have an Electric Vehicle Charging Station installed.
Apartment, Townhouse, Commercial, Industrial and Institutional Developments that are required to have 15 or less Off Street Motor Vehicle Parking spaces are not required to have EV Charging infrastructure.
An Electric Vehicle energy management system shall be installed in Apartment, Townhouse, Commercial and Industrial Buildings that control electrical loads for the electrical vehicle supply equipment with a minimum performance standard to ensure a sufficient rate of Electric Vehicle charging.
Nanaimo
According to the City of Nanaimo’s Off-Street Parking Regulations Bylaw No. 7266 – Section 7.7, a minimum of 25 per cent of all off-street parking spots in any common parking area for multifamily residential housing must have shared access to a Level 2 EV charging, and have an electrical outlet box wired with a separate branch circuit capable of supplying electricity to support both Level 1 and Level 2 charging.
Nelson
The City of Nelson has amended its zoning bylaw:
- One stall per dwelling unit is required to be EV ready in new single family and multi-unit residential.
- Two stalls per 10 required stalls of new commercial builds are required to be EV ready.
New Westminster
- 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. See details here.
- Please view the City of New Westminster’s updated Development Permit Area (DPA) guidelines to learn more about the recommended EV charging infrastructure for new commercial, institutional and industrial buildings.
North Vancouver
The City of North Vancouver’s zoning bylaw has been amended to include 100% EV ready parking in multi-unit residential buildings:
- This applies to development or building permit applications accepted for review on or after June 1, 2019.
- All parking spaces in new residential buildings must have a labelled, energized outlet capable of providing Level 2 charging for an electric vehicle.
- This includes all new single family, coach houses, duplexes, triplexes and apartments, as well as parking spaces for shared vehicles.
- Secondary suites are not included.
- EV energy management systems or “load sharing” can be used to meet the requirements
Effective January 1, 2022, 10% of residential visitor parking spaces must include Level 2 EV charging infrastructure. Requirements can be meet in 2 ways:
- 1. Dedicated circuits
- 2. EVEMS with min. performance level of 12kWh average per EVSE, over and 8 hour period, assuming that all parking stalls have an EV charging.
North Vancouver (District)
The Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Policy, updated in March, 2021, covers multi-family, commercial, and industrial developments, as well as bicycle storage.
- Multi-family in District of North Vancouver:
- All parking stalls (not including visitor parking) must feature energized outlets* capable of providing Level 2 charging or higher.
- Commercial/Industrial in District of North Vancouver:
- At least 20% of parking stalls (not including accessible parking) must feature energized outlets* capable of providing Level 2 charging or higher,
- All accessible parking stalls must feature energized outlets capable of providing Level 2 charging or higher.
- Bike storage:
- In addition to these vehicle requirements, all secure bicycle storage must include Level 1 (110v) electric outlets for electric bicycle charging, as stipulated in the Bicycle Parking Policy and End-of-Trip Facilities Policy.
Penticton
The City of Penticton incorporated EV Ready requirements as part of a larger Zoning Bylaw No. 2023-08 update in April 2023.
- Minimum number of Energized Outlets for Level 2 Charging: 1 per dwelling unit.
- Where one or more accessible parking spaces are required by the Zoning Bylaw, a minimum 50% of the accessible parking spaces shall be EV ready.
Port Coquitlam
The City of Port Coquitlam’s Zoning Amendment Bylaw 4035 requires EV charging in new builds (residential and mixed use):
- In effect Jan 23 2018
- For a residential building other than a building with a common parking area, one parking space per dwelling unit shall be provided with roughed-in electric vehicle charging infrastructure including an electrical outlet box located within 3 metres of the unit’s required parking space.
- For a residential building with a common parking area, a separate single utility electrical meter and disconnect shall be provided in line with the electrical panel(s) intended to provide for charging of electric vehicles located within 3 metres of the unit’s required parking space.
- In a mixed-use building including residential uses and a common parking area, a separate single utility electrical meter and disconnect shall be provided in line with the electrical panel(s) intended to provide for charging of electric vehicles located within 3 metres of the unit’s required parking space.
Port Moody
The City of Port Moody’s EV ready requirements appear in bylaw 2937 Section 6.11 March 1, 2019.
- See the technical bulletin here.
- All spaces in new residential constructions require an energized outlet capable of L2 charging.
- 20% of spaces in new commercial constructions require an energized outlet capable of L2 charging.
Revelstoke
As per Zoning Bylaw No.2299, parking requirements can be waived where cash in lieu of parking is paid to a Municipal Reserve Fund, where the following is achieved:
(a) Minimum 30% of parking must be provided on site; and
(b) At least 1 EV electric vehicle charging station is installed for every 20 spaces required.
Richmond
The City of Richmond’s Zoning Bylaw 8500 requires EV charging in new builds (residential only), revising bylaw 9756.
- October 15, 2017.
- 100% of new residential parking spaces, excluding those provided for visitors use, shall have access to an adjacent energized outlet capable of providing Level 2 charging.
- Updated. September 5, 2023. 100% new residential parking spaces, excluding visitor parking spaces, shall feature an energized outlet capable of providing Level 2 charging or higher to the parking space. (Energized outlet means a connected point in an electrical wiring installation at which current is taken and a source of voltage is connected to supply utilization equipment. )
Saanich (District)
In the District of Saanich, Development and Building Permit applications for new buildings applied for on or after September 1, 2020 will need to demonstrate compliance with the following Bylaws related to Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure requirements:
- Zoning Bylaw [PDF – 17 MB] 8200, section 7: Off-Street Parking, which establishes electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure requirements for parking in new residential, institutional, commercial and industrial buildings.
- Electric Vehicle Off-Street Parking Bylaw [PDF – 24 KB], 2020, No. 9644, which establishes requirements for performance of Electric Vehicle Energy Management Systems and building and occupancy permit requirements.
- EV Infrastructure Requirements Technical Bulletin. [PDF – 276 KB]
See more on District of Saanich’s EV Infrastructure Requirements page.
Sidney
As per Township of Sidney bylaw 2140:
- In all buildings that contain Apartment and Townhouse Dwellings, Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure shall be provided to all parking spaces and terminate in an Energized Outlet capable of providing a minimum of Level 2 Charging.
- Details of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure shall be provided as part of all building permit applications, where required.
Squamish (District)
Zoning bylaw 2200, 2011, has been amended to require:
- 30% of the required off-street parking spaces for apartment dwelling units
shall have shared access to an energized outlet capable of providing level 2
charge that delivers a minimum of 1.7kW of power. Energized outlets
provided at visitor parking spaces will not contribute towards this
requirement. 100% of the required off-street parking spaces for apartment
dwelling units shall be roughed in for electrification, with conduit terminating
at a junction box at each location. - For two unit dwellings, triplexes, townhomes, or cottage clusters: A minimum
of 1 required off-street parking space per dwelling unit shall have access to an
energized outlet capable of providing level 2 that can deliver a minimum of
3.3kW of power. - At least 1 required off-street parking space per single unit shall have access to
an energized outlet capable of providing level 2 charge that can deliver a
minimum of 3.3kW of power. - 10% of the required off-street parking spaces in new commercial or industrial
developments shall be provided with access to an energized outlet capable of
providing level 2 charge that can deliver a minimum of 3.3kW of power. - Amended to require that 100% of the required off-street parking stalls in any shared parking
areas for multiple unit residential use shall be provided with electric vehicle
charging infrastructure.
Summerland (District)
The Building Bylaw include provisions for new single family homes to include level 2 EV charging stations, as well as multi-unit dwellings with requirements for EV charging provisions. See Section 24.8 here.
Section 24.8 states that: “Where parking spaces are provided for Part 9 residential buildings, an energized outlet capable of providing Level 2 Electrical Vehicle (EV) charging or higher must be installed for a minimum of one parking space per dwelling unit”
Surrey
The City of Surrey’s zoning bylaw was amended on February 25, 2019 to require Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in ALL new residential and commercial developments.
- February 25, 2019. See the technical bulletin here.
- 100% of residential parking spaces in new residential developments must each have an installed energized electrical outlet capable of providing Level 2 charging for an electric vehicle. This requirement applies to both single-family and multiple unit residential dwellings.
- 50% of visitor parking spaces in multiple unit residential developments must each have an installed energized electrical outlet capable of providing Level 2 charging for an electric vehicle.
- 20% of parking spaces in new commercial developments must each have an installed energized electrical outlet capable of providing Level 2 charging for an electric vehicle.
Vancouver
The City of Vancouver’s Building Code Bylaw 10908 requiring EV charging in new builds (commercial and residential), revised bylaw Electric Vehicle Charging s 10.2.3.
- This bylaw was updated on March 14, 2018 to increase the percentage of EV-ready stalls in multi-unit residential buildings from 20% to 100%
- For new buildings current bylaw requires:
- 1 EV-ready stall in single-family homes with garages
- 10% of stalls be EV-ready in commercial buildings
- 100% of stalls be EV-ready in multi-unit residential buildings
- Updated. March 31, 2020. Updating the EV-readiness requirements for new one- and two- family dwellings to align with those of multi-family dwellings. Removing the exemption for calculated loads over 200A to omit an energized outlet in one- and two- family homes. Effective January 1, 2021.
Victoria
In effect since October 1, 2020, the Zoning Bylaw No. 80-159 – Schedule C Section 2.4 (Page 19) stipulates that all residential parking spaces in new residential developments must have an energized electrical outlet installed that can provide Level 2 charging for an electric vehicle. This requirement applies to both single-family and multi-unit residential dwellings but not visitor parking spaces.
View Royal
As per the Town of View Royal’s Zoning Bylaw No. 900 – Section 5.13, every commercial or multi-unit residential construction with more than 100 parking spots must provide an accessible electric vehicle charging station on the premises for patrons or residents. This bylaw was adopted in February 2021.
West Vancouver (District)
The District of West Vancouver Zoning bylaw parking regulations require that:
- Parking spaces required for single family homes, duplexes, secondary or detached secondary suites shall include an energized outlet that is capable of providing level 2 charging for an electric vehicle and labelled for the use of electric vehicle charging.
- Multi-unit residential buildings: for new dwelling units, all parking spaces for residential use, except visitor parking, shall include an energized outlet that is: (a) capable of providing Level 2 charging for an electric vehicle; (b) labelled for the use of electric vehicle charging.
White Rock
The City of White Rock has proposed changes to its Zoning Bylaw, 2012, No. 2000. On March 18, 2021, the Environmental Advisory Committee presented recommendations that would require all resident parking stalls to be Level 2 EV-ready in new multi-unit residential buildings and 50 per cent of visitor parking stalls to be Level 2 EV-ready in new multi-unit residential buildings.