A condominium building developer Windmill development Started constructing stable buildings in 2003. Since then the company has built 12 buildings and currently 6 more buildings are under construction across the country.
A big part of their offer to buyers: All their buildings have the infrastructure to install electric vehicle charging stations.
A few years ago there was a demand for charging stations, but it was slow. Now, 100% of buyers ask us if we have infrastructure for charging stations and possibility to install them. And the answer is yes,
Sales and Marketing Director Karina Weiser said.
” Having the infrastructure for charging stations certainly gives us a competitive advantage, but we also want to inspire other companies. »
Province-specific regulations
Starting in 2022, new residential construction in Toronto must include infrastructure to install charging stations in all owner parking spaces, according to the city.
But, according to Mark Marmer, president of Signature Electric, regulations for new buildings should be clear for developers.
” Clarifying construction standards for new buildings would cost the government nothing and make it easier to install charging stations. »
Very often I need to install a charging station in a building that has the necessary electrical infrastructure, but is not ready for installation.
He says.
Not all municipalities have changed their bylaws as Toronto has. And 11 years after banning the sale of gas-powered vehicles, the Ontario Building Code still doesn’t require infrastructure for electric vehicles to be considered when constructing buildings.
The Plug’n Drive company allows people to learn more about electric vehicles and all the possibilities of charging stations.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Anne-Marie Trickey
According to the founder of the company, the change in the code will have a big impact on the adoption of electric vehicles in the province Plugin driveCara Clairman.
” As an advocate for the adoption of electric vehicles, I believe things are not moving fast enough. »
It would take a small change to Ontario’s building code to make all new construction ready for the installation of charging stations, she said. Many developers are already doing this, but it would be nice if it were mandatory.
In general, she adds, Toronto lags behind other Canadian cities when it comes to infrastructure for electric vehicles.
Cara Clairman, president of Plug’n Drive, says Toronto is lagging behind when it comes to electric vehicle infrastructure.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Anne-Marie Trickey
Vancouver has done a better job of installing infrastructure in multi-unit buildings, while Montreal has made sure to install charging stations on the streets. Although Toronto is growing, it is not doing well in either area
she said.
The City of Vancouver requires all new construction to be 100% ready to install charging stations in all residential parking lots starting in 2019.
Montreal, which favors access to public charging stations, has more than 1,300 stations and wants to add 600 more by 2024. The city confirmed that it is seeking to improve its regulatory framework to encourage the installation of infrastructure for charging electric vehicles. New multi-dwelling buildings.
Charging stations are already installed in some of the parking lots of this Windmill Developments building in Toronto.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Deborah Saint-Victor
Similar to Ontario, British Columbia’s building code does not require new construction to contain infrastructure for charging stations. In Quebec, only new residential buildings of four units or less must have infrastructure that allows the installation of charging stations.
A constantly evolving technology
While Ontario isn’t a leader when it comes to charging station infrastructure in general, Signature Electric’s Mark Marmer finds it’s a fast-growing technology.
Mark Marmer is president of Signature Electric, a company that installs electric vehicle charging stations in buildings.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Anne-Marie Trickey
Believe it or not, we are still in the early days of electric vehicle infrastructure and things will change over time.
He argued.
” The way electric vehicles are charged may change in the future. Think about the changes that have happened in the last 10 years. »
And, Mr. According to Marmer, the technology is constantly improving.
I believe we will recreate the gas station system we have now, where it takes 5 minutes to refill. At that time, charging stations will be optional in the building
He says.
One strategy among many others
For now, from Kareena Weezer Windmill development The infrastructure for electric vehicles is believed to be important and represents one initiative among many to achieve a greater goal: carbon neutrality.
We choose the location of our buildings very specifically so that they are close to public transport. We also have charging stations for electric bicycles as well as bicycle parking for each owner.
she said.
It is one of Windmill Development’s green buildings, which has the infrastructure to install charging stations at every parking spot.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Deborah Saint-Victor
Some of their buildings offer communal green spaces and the possibility of urban farming. All hallways also have natural light to improve the general quality of life for residents.
” We have a partnership with the Kite Company that allows us to share electric vehicles for interested owners, which helps reduce our carbon footprint. »
Karina Wieser says that while electric vehicle infrastructure is a key part of helping the planet, it’s only one part of a much bigger problem.
This article is the second of two on electric vehicle infrastructure in condominium towers. You will find First post here.
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