Clean Energy Canada and Community Energy Association say building infrastructure now into single- and multi-unit residences will save thousands of dollars in retrofit costs down the road

British Columbia needs to adopt a province-wide requirement that all new homes be built ready for EV charging, according to a new report by Clean Energy Canada and Community Energy Association, to avoid higher costs down the road and make EV ownership more accessible. 

The report, Making All New B.C. Homes EV-Ready, was published in January with support from BC Hydro. It outlines a path for implementing an EV-readiness mandate in all new residential construction, from single-family dwellings to larger multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs).

“Across British Columbia, 33 local governments representing about 79 per cent of the population already have some form of EV-readiness requirements, creating a patchwork of regulations that results in uneven access to home charging and higher costs and complexity across regions and housing types,” a summary of the report says.

High cost to retrofit later

It also found that failing to install infrastructure such as electrical panels, conduit and outlets for Level 2 EV chargers at the building stage can lead to costly retrofits later. These costs can be three to four times higher than installing such infrastructure during construction. The report cites an example in which one stall in a MURB would cost around $1,837 to fit with an EV charger during construction, while a retrofit after the build would cost around $6,731.

The report is based on interviews with municipal governments, builders, utilities and EV charging experts across the province. It calls for a phased approach that starts with consultations with stakeholders, followed by a communication of intent, technical guidance, legislation and ongoing project support, which would also include skills training.

Advocates say that ensuring homes are EV-ready not only reduces long-term costs but unlocks the full benefit of charging an EV at home, further broadening their appeal. Home charging is the most affordable way to power electric vehicles, with residential electricity rates in B.C. significantly lower than those for public charging.

‘Condo charging gap’

While the Clean Energy Canada roadmap focuses largely on new construction, another recent resource underscores the challenges facing existing MURBs across Canada. The Make Your Condo EV Ready guide, developed by Plug’n Drive and Clean Energy Canada, highlights a “condo charging gap” in Canada. About one-third of households live in apartment or condo buildings, yet those residents account for only a small percentage of EV owners, in part because home charging is often unavailable.

The condo guide outlines legal requirements and government policies that aid in retrofits and a process for boards, owners and property managers to plan and implement charging infrastructure in existing buildings. The report concludes that harmonizing readiness standards for all housing types — from single-family homes to condos — will be critical to meeting provincial and national EV adoption goals.

Looking forward

Clean Energy Canada officials say the B.C. Homes report is intended to inform policymakers and industry leaders as the province updates building codes and housing policy in the coming years.

Without requirements set in place, the report suggests B.C. risks locking in infrastructure that will not serve tomorrow’s needs and making it more difficult for residents — especially renters and those in multi-unit buildings — to switch to electric vehicles.