Electric vehicles (EVs) adoption is growing rapidly. Bloomberg New Energy Finance forecasts that within five years, the cost to produce EVs will be equivalent to internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), and lower cost thereafteri. Public policy is likewise driving EV adoption, with the Government of Canada targeting the phase out of new ICEV sales by 2040ii. Achieving local, national and global climate targets will require the near complete electrification of transportation prior to 2050.

In this context, cities are increasingly focused on ensuring that their communities and residents do not fall behind on EV Readiness. Over the last four years, the City of Vancouver and 12 other municipalities in British Columbia have adopted 100% "EV Ready" requirements for parking in new residential developments. These requirements specify that all residential parking spaces in new developments feature an adjacent electrical outlet capable of providing "Level 2" EV charging. This futureproofing allows apartment and townhome residents to then easily install EV Supply Equipment (EVSE - i.e. EV chargers) as EVs are adopted over time, avoiding the significant cost and complications that are associated with EV charging retrofits. New developments can use EV energy management systems (EVEMS) to facilitate load sharing between vehicles, with the provision that they must meet minimum charging performance requirements. Allowing for the use of EVEMS significantly reduces the cost of complying with 100% EV Ready requirements, as documented in an AES Engineering report for the City of Richmond that was key to the initial adoption of 100% EV Ready requirements.

The Clean Air Partnership has partnered with AES Engineering to develop an EV Ready New Residential Construction Costing Study and conduct associated technical and policy analysis with municipal and developer stakeholders to help inform Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA) municipalities' EV Ready requirements. This work is funded by a grant from The Atmospheric Fund.