Go Electric Kamloops: EV-Ready Homes

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Consultation has concluded

On September 20, 2022, Council adopted revised zoning bylaw amendments regarding electric vehicle charging infrastructure requirements for all new residential development at time of construction (effective January 1, 2023). Consultation on this project has concluded.

The City of Kamloops is considering amending its zoning bylaw to require new residential developments to have EV-ready parking. To be EV ready, an energized 240-volt electrical outlet (like those used for an electric stove or dryer) would need to be installed near the parking stall at time of construction.

Requiring parking to be EV ready at time of construction will make it easier for occupants to install an EV charger of their choice in the future and avoid the cost and complexity of retrofitting an electrical service to the parking stall.

Requiring a 240-volt electrical outlet (rather than a standard household 120-volt outlet) is considered best practice as it can power a Level 2 EV charger, which provides between 20-100 kilometres of driving range for every hour the vehicle is charged (i.e., most battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles would be fully charged within a few hours or overnight).

Supporting access to EV charging at home is a priority action in the City's EV & E-Bike Strategy and Community Climate Action Plan. It is also intended to future-proof new residential developments for the shift to electric transportation, which is being driven by provincial and federal sales targets regulations that require all new passenger vehicles sold in BC to be zero emissions by 2035.

On September 20, 2022, Council adopted revised zoning bylaw amendments regarding electric vehicle charging infrastructure requirements for all new residential development at time of construction (effective January 1, 2023). Consultation on this project has concluded.

The City of Kamloops is considering amending its zoning bylaw to require new residential developments to have EV-ready parking. To be EV ready, an energized 240-volt electrical outlet (like those used for an electric stove or dryer) would need to be installed near the parking stall at time of construction.

Requiring parking to be EV ready at time of construction will make it easier for occupants to install an EV charger of their choice in the future and avoid the cost and complexity of retrofitting an electrical service to the parking stall.

Requiring a 240-volt electrical outlet (rather than a standard household 120-volt outlet) is considered best practice as it can power a Level 2 EV charger, which provides between 20-100 kilometres of driving range for every hour the vehicle is charged (i.e., most battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles would be fully charged within a few hours or overnight).

Supporting access to EV charging at home is a priority action in the City's EV & E-Bike Strategy and Community Climate Action Plan. It is also intended to future-proof new residential developments for the shift to electric transportation, which is being driven by provincial and federal sales targets regulations that require all new passenger vehicles sold in BC to be zero emissions by 2035.

Consultation has concluded

  • City Council Adopts Revised Zoning Bylaw Amendments Regarding EV Charging Infrastructure Requirements

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    September 20, 2022 - City Council has adopted revised zoning bylaw amendments regarding electric vehicle charging infrastructure requirements for all new residential development at time of construction, effective January 1, 2023.

    At the July 19 Public Hearing, Council considered an amendment that would have required new residential developments to pre-wire an energized electrical outlet capable of providing Level 2 EV charging for a minimum of one parking space per dwelling unit.

    Following the public hearing, Council authorized the bylaw but directed staff to revise the amendment such that new residential developments are required to “rough-in” specified electrical infrastructure at time of construction to enable a future owner/occupant to complete the necessary connection.

    City staff met with the Canadian Home Builders Association-Central Interior to discuss options to address Council’s direction.

    The resulting revised Zoning Amendment, Bylaw No. 55-9, 2022 (Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Requirements) outlines three distinct definitions to guide developers and builders at time of construction: EV Capable Parking, EV Ready Parking, and EV Installed Parking, as highlighted in the illustrations.

    As adopted, new residential development under Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 55-9, 2022 will provide ‘EV Capable Parking’ which means constructed to include the following: electrical panel capacity, wiring and/or continuous conduit or raceway (as applicable) from the panel and terminating at a junction box near the designated EV parking space(s), including allocating space for all additional electrical and EV charging infrastructure required to energize the circuit and supply power to future Level 2 EV chargers.

    Next steps include ensuring project milestones are met to enable the requirements to come into effect January 1, 2023, including working with industry partners to support training and communication efforts to help local industry prepare for the requirements.

  • New Residential Developments in Kamloops to be EV-Ready Starting 2023

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    February 15, 2022 - City Council has authorized staff to bring forward zoning bylaw changes for the implementation of EV-ready parking requirements for all new residential developments starting next year.

    Beginning January 1, 2023, one parking stall per dwelling unit must be EV-ready at time of construction for all new single-family, single-family with a secondary suite, two-family, and multi-family residential developments.

    “To be considered EV-ready, a parking space must be constructed in proximity to a pre-wired electrical circuit that is capable of supplying power to a Level 2 EV charger,” said Glen Cheetham, the City’s Sustainability Supervisor.

    “By being EV-ready, a homeowner or property manager can install a Level 2 EV charger of their choice in the future without having to retrofit or upgrade the electrical service, which can be a barrier due to its cost and complexity.”

    A Level 2 EV charger is powered by a 208/240-volt circuit typically used in households to supply electricity to a clothes dryer or hot tub. With its increased volt and amperage, a Level 2 charger is considered an ideal level of charging for at home as it supports a greater driving range per hour of charge time relative to Level 1 charging.

    The decision follows comprehensive research and community engagement efforts over the past two years. In August 2020, City Council adopted the EV and E-Bike Strategy, which establishes a roadmap for the community’s transition to electric-powered transportation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

    In 2021, an analysis was conducted to examine the costs of different types of EV-ready charging infrastructure configurations for multi-unit residential developments, both at time of construction and future retrofit. In a fall 2021 public survey, 82% of respondents supported requiring new residential developments to include some level of EV-readiness at the time of construction.

    Meanwhile, industry stakeholder feedback has helped to further guide the development of the EV-ready parking requirements authorized by Council today.

    Supporting access to home EV charging is a priority action in the City's Community Climate Action Plan, which was adopted by Council in June 2021. This initiative also supports City Council’s strategic priorities under the pillar of Environmental Leadership.