Cars and Parking

Install an Electric Vehicle Charging Station and Dedicated Parking Spaces

What Is It?

Hybrid or electric vehicles (EVs) are vehicles that are powered either by a combination of gasoline and electricity or exclusively by electricity. In addition, hybrids and EVs use efficiency technology to achieve better fuel economy and lower emissions.

Many building owners, parking facilities, and employers—including Google, Bank of America, and Cisco Systems—are installing charging stations in office parking lots to allow employees to charge their cars while at work, thus encouraging adoption of EVs. Even if a charging station is not installed, dedicated parking spaces for EVs can reward employees for using EVs.

Benefits

  • Environmental – The use of EVs as opposed to traditional cars can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles.
  • Financial – EV parking has the potential to attract tenants, employees or customers (depending on the type of business). Additionally, LEED credits may be earned, and a higher property value achieved with the installation of EV parking/charging stations.
  • Social – The more people see others using EVs and being accommodated for it, the more they will be inclined to do the same; EV parking can be proposed as a convenience amenity for employees and tenants. Additionally, an increase in EV usage would lead to a decrease in foreign oil dependence.

Drawbacks

If an EV is charged using electricity generated by fossil fuels, significant greenhouse gases are still being emitted; they’re just displaced to another location. The production of a new car also has a significant environmental impact—and hybrids built in other countries have additional impact from being shipped to the US. However, the efficiency of hybrid technology typically leads to overall lower emissions. When considering hybrids or EVs, the environmental impact of the car over the course of its entire life should be evaluated through a lifecycle assessment.

When it comes to EV charging stations, some employers have noted the issue of employees parking at the charge station and leaving their cars there all day, instead of moving them to a parking spot after charging is complete. Charging companies are addressing this issue by offering employers the ability to set up tiered pricing to incentivize people to move their cars after charging is done - e.g. $1/hr for the first 4 hours (most cars take 3-4 hours to charge) and then $5/hr afterwards. Also, new apps sends continuous reminders that charging is done, to remind drivers to move their cars.

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