Electric cars: Apartment buyers are clamoring for charging stations

Building construction developer Windmill development It began constructing buildings sustainably in 2003. Since then, the company has built 12 buildings and 6 more are currently under construction across the country.

Many of their offers to buyers: all of their buildings have the infrastructure to install electric vehicle charging stations.

Demand for charging stations has been around for a few years, but it has been slower. Now, 100% of buyers ask us if there is infrastructure for charging stations and if there is a possibility to install them. the answer is yes, says Karina Weser, director of sales and marketing.

” Having the charging station infrastructure certainly gives us a competitive edge, but we also want to inspire other businesses. »

County regulations

Since 2022, new residential construction in Toronto must have the infrastructure to install charging stations in all owner parking lots, according to the city.

But, according to Signature Electric president Mark Marmer, regulations for new buildings need to be clearer to developers.

” Clarifying building standards for new buildings would cost the government nothing and would facilitate the installation of charging stations. »

I often have to install a charging station in a building that should have the necessary electrical infrastructure, but is not at all ready for installationHe says.

Not all municipalities have changed their bylaws the way Toronto has. And after 11 years of banning the sale of gas-powered vehicles, Ontario building code still does not require that electric vehicle infrastructure be considered when constructing buildings.

Plug’n Drive allows people to learn more about electric cars and all the possibilities of charging stations.

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Photo: Radio-Canada/Anne Marie Tricky

The change in the code could have a significant impact on electric vehicle adoption in the county, but according to the organization’s founder Plug’n DriveKara Klerman.

” As an advocate of electric vehicle adoption, of course, I think things aren’t moving fast enough. »

She says it would take a small change in Ontario building code to get all new construction ready to install charging stations. Many developers already do this, but it would be better if it was mandatory.

She also adds that, in general, Toronto lags behind other Canadian cities when it comes to electric vehicle infrastructure.

Plug’n Drive president Kara Klerman says Toronto is lagging behind when it comes to electric vehicle infrastructure.

Photo: Radio-Canada/Anne Marie Tricky

Vancouver did a much better job of installing infrastructure in multi-unit buildings, while Montreal made sure to install charging stations on the streets. Toronto has not performed well in either area, although it is getting betteras you say.

The City of Vancouver has required since 2019 that all new construction be 100% ready to install charging stations in all parking lots.

Montreal, which favors access to public charging stations, has more than 1,300 stations and wants to add 600 by 2024. The city has also confirmed that it is seeking to improve its regulatory framework in order to encourage the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in multiple new apartment buildings.

Some of the parking spaces in this Windmill Developments building in Toronto have charging stations already installed.

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Photo: Radio-Canada/Deborah St. Victor

Similar to Ontario, BC building code does not require new construction until the infrastructure for charging stations is available. In Quebec, new residential residences of four units or less must have the infrastructure that allows charging stations to be installed.

Constantly evolving technology

While Ontario isn’t a leader when it comes to charging station infrastructure in general, Mark Marmer of Signature Electric has found it to be a very rapidly evolving technology.

Mark Marmer is the president of Signature Electric, a company that installs electric vehicle charging stations in buildings.

Photo: Radio-Canada/Anne Marie Tricky

Believe it or not, but we’re still in the early days of electric vehicle infrastructure and things tend to change over time.he argues.

” The way electric cars are charged may change in the future. Think about the changes that have occurred over the past ten years. »

And according to Mr. Marmer, technology is constantly improving.

I think eventually we will recreate the gas station system we currently have, where it takes 5 minutes to refill. At that time, charging stations inside the building will be optionalHe says.

One strategy among many others

At the moment, Karina Vizer from Windmill development He believes electric vehicle infrastructure is still important and represents one initiative among many towards a larger goal: carbon neutrality.

We specifically choose the location of our buildings so that they are close to public transportation. We also have electric bike charging stations as well as bike parking for each owner.as you say.

This is one of Windmill Development’s green buildings, which includes the infrastructure of installing charging stations at every parking space.

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Photo: Radio-Canada/Deborah St. Victor

Some of their buildings offer collective green spaces and the possibility to do urban farming. There is also natural light throughout the corridors to improve the general quality of life for the residents.

” We have a partnership with Kite, which allows electric vehicle sharing for interested owners, helping to reduce our carbon footprint. »

Karina Wieser says that while electric vehicle infrastructure is an important part of helping the planet, it is just one part of a much larger problem.