Preface
As EVs proliferate, local governments are creating policies to account for all drivers equitably. One such policy, an EV-ready ordinance, sets requirements for the expansion of charging access to more residents and building tenants. Requirements vary depending on government and context but typically include:
- EV charging stations must be installed at a certain percentage of parking spots; the percentage varies depending on building type (e.g., multi-family, commercial, government-owned, and single-family properties).
- Stations must include a dedicated electrical circuit with sufficient capacity for each charging spot and the conduit and wiring required to run electricity to the EV charging spots.
- Electrical panels must be labeled with “EV-Ready” signage positioned near where people will park.
EV-Ready ordinances fast-track city climate goals, provide accessible charging for residents, and establish future-proofing charging infrastructure for all. This case study highlights cities that implemented EV-Ready ordinances during the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge.
Defining EV Readiness
Access to charging infrastructure remains a barrier to EV adoption in the U.S., largely because it’s challenging to encourage the installation of charging infrastructure while overall EV usage remains lower than that of gas-powered vehicles. EV readiness policies address this dichotomy while providing a long-term solution to charging infrastructure access.
EV-Readiness refers to a collection of actions that prepare for the future of EVs, often including building, zoning, and parking ordinance amendments. In our experience, much of what cities are doing to prepare for EVs is amending their building and zoning codes. By reconsidering municipal codes, especially those for new development, properties can quickly and cost-effectively prepare for charging infrastructure and the EV transition.
When a municipal code is amended to consider EVs and charging infrastructure, most policymakers modify specific percentages of required parking spaces to be EV-ready or EV-capable (indicating that the parking spots have adequate electrical capacity, make-ready EV conduits, and the proper wiring to install charging infrastructure later). By preparing these parking spaces now, developers and owners avoid the extensive costs of traditional trenching and boring methods for installing infrastructure. The following chart demonstrates what is meant by EV-ready, EV-capable, and EV-installed:
Criteria | EV-Installed | EV-Ready | EV-Capable |
Reserved capacity at the electrical panel |
|
| X |
Conduit/raceway installed (e.g., pre-wiring or pull-through tab requirement) |
| X | X |
EV charging infrastructure installed | X | X | X |
The percentage of parking spaces pursued often varies between 2% and 20%. The goal of these ordinances is to allow for the expansion of charging to meet the future growth of EV adoption in the most timely, cost-effective manner possible.
EV-readiness ordinances can also be crafted to focus on various building types and use cases such as multi-unit dwellings, single-family homes, commercial venues, workplaces, and other specialty-consideration classifications.
Case Studies
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina, was one of the first cities the EC partnered with to pass an EV readiness policy. The city government wanted to improve access to charging infrastructure, enhance air quality, and achieve climate goals through EV adoption. These goals were also part of a broader project to amend and update the city’s building code. Amending building codes is rare but crucial to foster growth and status as a large urban area. The amendments created a unique window for the EC to work with city partners to incorporate EV readiness considerations. The EC also worked with city staff on a related EV-first procurement policy for fleet purchasing, offering a proactive approach to electrifying fleet purchases on a total cost of ownership basis. This coordination with city leadership fostered cohesion, allowing for effective tailoring with EV readiness ordinance language.
Coming into effect in June 2023, the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) demonstrated Charlotte’s commitment to EV readiness. UDO involved significantly revising the existing development ordinance and introducing new EV readiness frameworks.
- If the entity has 0-9 parking spaces, there are no EV-capable nor EVSE-installed requirements.
- If the entity has 10-25 parking spaces, 20% must be EV-capable, while no spaces need EVSE installed.
- If the entity has 25-50 parking spaces, 20% must be EV-capable, and one space must have EVSE installed.
- If the entity has 50 parking spaces, 20% must be EV-capable, and 2% of spaces must have EVSE installed.
This combined development ordinance is a progressive step that reflects the city’s proactive approach toward sustainable transportation and signifies its recognition of the importance of preparing for the growing adoption of EVs. By incorporating EV readiness frameworks into the UDO, Charlotte aims to streamline the integration of EV infrastructure and support the transition to cleaner mobility options for its residents and businesses.
Columbus, Ohio
Before the policy development, Columbus, Ohio, had already conducted aligned stakeholder engagement and ordinance work to create a new building energy benchmark requirement. This allowed an active group of local advocates to contribute to developing an EV readiness policy. Given this firm basis, the EC and the City were able to use a similar, proven approach while identifying other high-priority areas of focus for EV readiness.
The City of Columbus and EC began work by hosting a series of Equity EV Charging Roundtables, with an open invitation for feedback from community members. Thanks to several equity-focused partners, City-hosted sessions brought thoughtful feedback, especially around the need to include multi-unit dwellings in the final ordinance. While not a requirement for stakeholder engagement, the Equity EV Charging Roundtables were partly convened by a partner organization specializing in bias study, allowing for a more dynamic and nuanced process. After over 85 internal, stakeholder, and one-on-one meetings, in August 2022, Columbus passed an innovative Equitable EV-Ready Parking Ordinance, integrating all three categories: EV-installed, EV-ready, and EV-capable.
Building Type | EV-Installed | EV-Ready | EV-Capable |
Multifamily home properties | 10% | 20% | 20% |
Affordable multifamily | 5% | 10% | 20% |
Commercial properties | 5% | 15% | 15% |
The City of Columbus properties | 15% | 20% | 55% |
Including the three categories allowed the ordinance to have tailored considerations for affordable housing to expand charging infrastructure in disadvantaged communities.
Orlando, Florida
The EC worked with Orlando, Florida, on a comparable EV-Readiness ordinance approach, allowing for the expansion of charging in new build constructions and addressing charging for hotels and tourism. With the city’s rapid development, increasing population, and high numbers of tourists, the government knew that EVs and accompanying infrastructure were crucial to its continued success and alignment with climate action goals.
The EC was heavily involved in crafting Orlando’s EV Readiness Ordinance, which passed in August 2021. The ordinance requires 2% of new parking spaces to be equipped with EV charging stations for a diverse variety of building types. In addition, 10% to 20% of parking spaces must be EV-capable with dedicated capacity in the electrical panel and conduit for future EV charging spaces. The City of Orlando released an EV Readiness Guide and one-pager to increase awareness.
Building Type | EV-Capable | EV-Installed |
Certified affordable multi-family housing | 20% | N/A |
Multifamily, hotel, all parking structures | 20% | 2% (Requirement begins at 50 spaces) |
Non-residential (offices, retail, public, recreational, and institutional uses) | 10% | 2% (Requirement begins at 250 spaces) |
Industrial (employee parking only) | 10% | 2% (Requirement begins at 250 spaces) |
Overall, this ordinance accounted for a variety of building types in a city with a high tourism rate while considering the interests of long-term residents.
Conclusion
This case study highlights the progressive efforts of Charlotte, Columbus, and Orlando in recognizing the importance of preparing for the increasing adoption of EVs and taking significant steps to facilitate the integration of EV charging infrastructure. They represent a handful of the numerous cities and other localities in the U.S. that the EC has tracked with EV-ready or EV-capable requirements.
By revising development ordinances, creating equitable frameworks, and mandating EV-ready and EVSE-installed parking spaces, these cities have demonstrated their commitment to sustainability, accessibility, and the promotion of clean transportation options. The implementation of these ordinances serves as a model for other cities looking to enhance their EV readiness and build a foundation for a more sustainable future. As more cities follow suit, the widespread adoption of EVs is poised to accelerate, driving us closer to achieving our environmental goals while improving the accessibility and convenience of EV charging for all.