| Gathering information | Gathering information | <div class="ExternalClass06F8559473854975B05E70A05BEA0A0A"><div class="ExternalClass1BE72CB209BC451D87A4B65442A3006A"><p>The first step that is required to install EV charging in your building is to gather information about the situation. It will be important to engage the strata council and owners throughout the process. The following checklists are useful tools to ensure all requirements are covered before making a formal request to the strata council:</p><ul><li>
<a href="/services/air-quality-climate-action/Documents/home-owner-tenant-checklist.pdf" target="_blank" title="Homeowner and tenant checklist">Homeowner and tenant checklist</a></li><li>
<a href="/services/air-quality-climate-action/Documents/strata-council-property-manager-checklist.pdf" target="_blank" title="Strata and property manager checklist">Strata and property manager checklist</a></li></ul><h3>Researching strata plans and legal designations</h3><p>It is important to first refer back to any strata plans, bylaws, amendments, or rules laid out by the strata council to understand if an electric vehicle charging policy is already in place. Legal parking designations will also be laid out in these documents, and are necessary to consult before moving forward with any EV charging infrastructure. There are three main parking stall designations: common property, limited common property, and strata lot. The legal designation of a parking stall will determine what action is needed, such as a swap or change of ownership. Your strata bylaws and rules will dictate if these changes are possible. It is recommended to contact legal counsel for any questions relating to parking designations. </p><h3>Assessing charging needs</h3><p>As outlined above, there are two types of home charging available for EVs. Based on driving and parking habits, you can determine whether Level 1 or Level 2 charging will meet charging needs. For those who don’t drive far distances or very often, Level 1 can sometimes fulfill their charging needs. </p><p>It is best to reach out to all residents in the building to survey their desire to install charging, as well as understand what level charging would work best for everyone. This can be done by simple and anonymous surveys created online. It can also be helpful to identify if there’s an “EV champion” you can work with on the strata council. Here are some sample survey questions to understand residents’ EV charging attitudes and requirements:</p><ul><li>
<a href="https://pluginbc.ca/ev-advisor-service/" target="_blank" title="Plug in BC MURB Survey Template">Plug In BC MURB Survey Template</a></li><li>
<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSca_TQsAASQwOEBK2fosTkyfP5PL85qus5ddVFw4tSSNTQ1ag/viewform" target="_blank" title="Vancouver Island Strata Owners Association sample EV survey">Vancouver Island Strata Owners Association (VISOA) sample EV survey</a></li></ul><h3>EV ready plan vs. standalone EV charger rebate</h3><p>You will need to understand what route your strata prefers to take when installing EV charging. Under CleanBC’s Go Electric Program, there are two options for condos and apartments to receive rebates for installing EV charging:</p><ul><li>
<a href="https://electricvehicles.bchydro.com/incentives/charger-rebates/apartment" target="_blank" title="Creating an EV Ready Plan">Creating an EV Ready Plan or installing standalone EV charging</a></li></ul><p>An
<strong>EV Ready Plan</strong> helps to futureproof a building, by creating an “EV ready building” that provides energized outlets at parking spaces that make for easy installation of Level 2 charging. In order to complete an EV Ready Plan, you would need to hire a licensed electrical contractor or engineer to assess your building situation and put together the comprehensive plan. Through the CleanBC program, you are eligible to receive 75% of the costs to create this plan. Note that an EV Ready Plan is required to receive EV Ready infrastructure rebates.</p><p>Once your EV Ready Plan has been completed and approved, you may move forward with infrastructure installation. Each parking stall that installs EV Ready infrastructure is eligible for up to 50% of the installation costs, see below table for a breakdown of rebate amounts. For those who install an
<a href="https://electricvehicles.bchydro.com/incentives/ev-chargers-eligible-for-rebates#apartments-workplaces" target="_blank" title="BC Hydro Eligible chargers">eligible charger</a> in the EV Ready stall, there is a rebate of up to 50% of the charger cost. Final applications must be submitted within four months of initial approval. </p><p>The
<strong>standalone EV charger rebate</strong> is most commonly used when there is little interest from residents to install chargers, or no chance to invest significant funds into charging infrastructure. In some cases, installing charging stations in common or shared parking spaces may be a sufficient short-term solution. Strata councils, building owners, or residents that install eligible EV chargers could receive a rebate up to 50% of the purchase and installation costs, up to $2,000 per charger and $14,000 per building. The following items are required to receive the charger-only rebate: a copy of the quote of work, proof of approval from the strata council, and a
<a href="https://www.bchydro.com/content/dam/BCHydro/customer-portal/documents/power-smart/electric-vehicles/EV-contractor-consultation-form-MURB-workplace.pdf?_ga=2.46700199.1231559712.1643136408-1637600441.1627592813" target="_blank" title="BC Hydro contractor consultation form">contractor consultation form</a>.</p><table class="uk-table uk-table-small uk-table-divider mv-border-cobalt mv-table-heading-teal mv-table-border uk-table-striped"><thead><tr><th width="50%">EV Ready Rebates</th><th width="50%">Standalone EV Charger Rebate</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li>Up to $3,000 for EV Ready plan</li><li>Up to $80,000 for EV Ready infrastructure</li><li>Up to $14,000 for chargers</li></ul></td><td><ul><li>Up to $14,000 for chargers per apartment/condo complex</li></ul></td></tr><tr class="mv-table-footer"><td>TOTAL: $97,000 per apartment/condo complex</td><td>TOTAL: $14,000 per apartment/condo complex</td></tr></tbody></table><p>
<a href="https://electricvehicles.bchydro.com/incentives/charger-rebates/apartment" target="_blank" title="EV charging rebates for apartment and condo buildings">Source</a></p><h3>Assessing electrical needs</h3><p>Before undertaking any retrofits or installations you must understand the electrical capacity of your building, and if electrical upgrades must be completed.
<a href="https://electricvehicles.bchydro.com/ev-electrician-referral-request-form" target="_blank" title="EV Electrician Referral Request Form">Alliance certified electricians</a> can help assess your building situation, and provide a quote if electrical upgrades must be made to install EV charging. They can also provide a quote to prepare an EV Ready Plan. These contractors can often also provide recommendations for chargers, and help with the overall process of installing charging.</p><p>To assess the building’s electrical situation, you will require the maximum monthly building electrical demand in kW. This maximum demand will help determine the spare power your building has, and how many chargers you can install. You or your contractor can request the last 12 months of
<a href="https://www.bchydro.com/content/dam/BCHydro/customer-portal/documents/power-smart/electric-vehicles/EV-MURB-load-data-request.pdf?_ga=2.39059107.1231559712.1643136408-1637600441.1627592813" target="_blank" title="Request for Customer Load Data">data from BC Hydro</a>.</p><h3>Understanding operating costs</h3><p>Before purchasing and installing a charger, there is the consideration of ongoing costs of charging. When plugged in, EVs draw electricity from the grid just like any other appliance. The cost of charging depends on the type of electric vehicle as well as driving habits. For example, driving a smaller EV 20,000km per year would cost around $400/year in electricity, or about $33/month. This annual electricity cost is less than a typical residential water heater.</p><br></div></div> |
| Making a formal request | Making a formal request | <div class="ExternalClass1505B3D6FA184CE7BC39D551476A33A0"><p>Requests to install charging infrastructure must be made to the strata council, and approved by owners in an AGM or SGM. This request should be made in writing, and if possible, you should attend one or more council meetings to explain the details of the request. As some people may have little knowledge about EV charging, it is helpful to provide as much detail as possible in your request.</p><p>Your request should include the following details:</p><ul><li>
<strong>Information about charging options:</strong> Level 1 vs. Level 2 charging, which you’re requesting for the building, and any electrical upgrades that will need to be completed.</li><li>
<strong>Overview of quotes and details from electrical contractor(s):</strong> provide the details of the quotes, suggested location for charging infrastructure, and cost to create an EV Ready Plan. Be sure to include information about recommended charging equipment.</li><li>
<strong>Recommended cost recovery mechanism:</strong> the suggested method to recover electricity costs from EV charging. You can find more information about cost recovery on the
<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><a href="https://pluginbc.ca/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Strata-User-Fee-Structures-Explained-Dec-2021.pdf" target="_blank" title="Ways to Monitor and Pay for EV Charging at Your Building"><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span>Plug In BC website</a>, or your contractor can provide guidance on your options.</li><li>
<strong>Address any questions or concerns raised by strata council:</strong> this may require follow up reports or meetings to provide additional information, or bring in an outside expert to answer their questions.</li></ul><br></div> |
| Gaining approval from strata council | Gaining approval from strata council | <div class="ExternalClass054C897CCE8E415998A4A0FF871D338B"><p>*Always refer back to the
<a href="https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/98043_00" target="_blank" title="BC Strata Property Act">BC Strata Property Act</a> to understand what type of approvals are necessary.</p><p>After the strata council has reviewed the request, they will vote to approve or reject it. They will also inform you if your strata bylaws or rules require approval from homeowners at an Annual General Meeting (AGM) or Special General Meeting (SGM). If this approval is required, it is important to share the details of your request with the homeowners, highlighting how EV charging could benefit them.</p><p>*Before moving forward with installation of charging infrastructure, be sure to apply for
<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><a href="https://electricvehicles.bchydro.com/incentives/charger-rebates/apartment" target="_blank" title="EV charging rebates for apartment and condo buildings"><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span>BC Hydro pre-approval</a> for the rebate.</p><br></div> |