Charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings: Mapping feedbacks and policy recommendations

Abstract

Achieving meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from the global transportation sector will rely on a large-scale transition to electric vehicles (EVs). Many governments aim to encourage the uptake of EVs in cities, because urban areas are well suited to EV driving ranges and stand to benefit hugely from reduced local emissions. In the Canadian province of British Columbia (BC), where clean renewable electricity sourcing makes EV deployment an attractive proposition, over a quarter of residents live in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings (MURBs), most of which are not equipped with EV charging infrastructure. In a related study, Lopez-Behar et al. (accepted) explored the challenges and decision-making processes involved in the installation of EV charging infrastructure in MURBs in BC, from the perspective of different stakeholders. Here, we build on those findings to map out and analyze feedback loops within this system using a Causal Loop Diagram (CLD). We then present potential demand-focused policy interventions to address the issues raised by our modelling results, grouped into three categories: financial/fiscal, regulatory and information/awareness measures. Financial/fiscal policy measures include creating incentives for EV owners and extending them to the building owners, and programs to incentivize and provide financial aid for building owners to develop building retrofit plans. Regulatory policy measures include addressing the rights and obligations of the stakeholders and making mandatory the installation of charging stations in new MURBs. Information/awareness policy measures include expanding the existing guidelines and informing the development of a long-term EV charging infrastructure plan. Our policy recommendations are designed to inform the interventions of municipal and provincial governments in BC, but could also be relevant to many urban EV markets worldwide.