Make it mandatory to have 220V plugs installed at every new condo parking spot.
.. in preparation for electric cars.
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apayette commented
That is true. I believe parking spots at condo buildings should be optional, not bundled in with the condo. However, for those who would decide to opt for the parking spot, its important for them to have the plug if they want to be able to buy an electric car.
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Janna L. Sylvest commented
I'd rather see the City relax its parking-spot-per-unit rules to allow for buildings without parking! The presumption in building planing is that people must and will have cars. If a developer could build without the parking space and contribute a portion of the building cost savings to a transit fund, we could be building an investment fund toward inner City pedestrian, bike, and trolley transit and out 'burb light rail.
In supporting a move from petroleum fueled cars to electric-fueled cars, I hope that people keep in mind that the lesser foot print is to reduce overall car ownership and use. The carbon footprint of producing a new car, whatever its fuel base, is enormous. Rapid, accessible, transit and pedestrian infrastructure is a better outcome than a change in the way cars are fueled. 78% of Manhattan residents do not own cars. Car co-ops, less cars per household, and less use of existing cars ... that's a worthwhile goal. The other thing to keep in mind is that electricity is only as "green" as the source used to generate the electricity. Most places in the world generate electricity from coal or nuclear sources. And even in BC, BC Hydro purchases a significant amount of power generated from natural gas burning generation plants. Additionally, hydro generation from water has enviromental impacts. The flooding of plains and wet lands, the disruption of fish habitat, etc. This is not to say that electric cars are "evil", it's to say that transit and pedestrian-friendly corridors to and from transit, are better. And that we really need to get over the idea that the production (and resource consumption) of a thing that we own individually and use entirely for personal use, keeping it all to ourselves, is a path to green.