ELECTRIC VEHICLES (EV)
Accommodating electric vehicle (EV) charging in the condominium setting often requires a considerable investment of time and fiscal resources. While costs related to installing and using EV charging stations are almost always the responsibility of unit owners, there's a significant amount of work required to understand owner interest, measure the power supply, make available power usable in the right location(s), draft contractual language and (possibly) update governing documents.
If your association is considering infrastructure updates to meet the needs of EV charging, remember that the addition of power and infrastructure are capital improvements. Many states' statutes prohibit CICs from expending reserve funds for capital improvements and/or allow reserve loans requiring time-limited repayment. Your declaration may also impose restrictions requiring that Members (owners) approve capital improvements over a certain threshold.
Do electric vehicles and EV chargers create a greater risk of fire?🔥
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says the risks are different than ICE cars. CWS says no. CleanTechnica says no. Some companies have designed equipment to isolate car fires. You can sign up for free access to NFPA documentation.
N.B. NFPA standards can be adopted in whole, part or not at all by each state and municipality. NFPA standards are not required unless adopted into code!
Are you concerned about e-bikes and scooters? See this NFPA tip sheet. Products that are UL-listed have a reasonable safety record. Others do not.
January 2022: Study: Hybrids, ICE Cars Far More Likely Than EVs To Catch Fire
June 2022: No, Millions of Cars Are Not Catching Fire Every Year
Which states have statutes prohibiting restrictions related to EV charging? 🔌
California: Civil Code § 4745
Colorado: CRS 38-33.3-106.8 (updated by HB23-1233) and CRS 38-12-601 (landlord-tenant provisions)
Florida: 718.113(8)
Hawaii: HRS 196-7.5 (read this from Hawaiian Electric)
New York: RPP Chapter 50, Article 9-B, Section 339-LL (see this article from 2022)
North Dakota: NDCC 47-04.1-16 (read the story about how HB1310 became Law in 2023)
Oregon: ORS 100.627
Washington: Four community association statutes (see below)
N.B. This is not an exhaustive list. Have additional examples? Please send them our way!
Bloomberg: The Biden administration proposed a landmark limit on tailpipe emissions that may compel automakers to ensure two out of every three cars and light trucks sold in 2032 are electric...
EV NEWS
July 27, 2023: 1 in 6 new Washington cars are electric. The state aims for more
April 12, 2023: Biden’s Toughest-Ever Car Pollution Curbs to Drive EV Sales
January 27, 2023: Are EVs more expensive to operate than ICE vehicles? Only in certain circumstances. Read the comments!
August 27, 2022: Electric vehicle charging time could fall to 10 minutes within 5 years
June 20, 2022: Seattle Offers Utility Pole EV Chargers To City Residents
March 25, 2022: Washington passes bill to target all EV sales by 2030 – for real this time
March 21, 2022: Electric vehicles shouldn’t be just for rich folks
March 9, 2022: $7,500 electric vehicle rebates fail in WA Legislature as climate proposals see mixed results
EV READING: SEATTLE, WA
Seattle City Light Public EV Charging Program (over for now)
FAQ | Application, Approval, Installation Timeline | Charger Location Requirements | Request a Charger (within Seattle City Limits)
View the EV Charging Summary (immediately below)
Select the EV Solution Summary (right-most tab) for solution comparisons
View the example EV Charging License Agreement (bottom of this page)
Washington State: CIC-specific EV Charging legislation (HB1793)
Effective June 9, 2022. Read the summary (middle of this page)
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