Regulation Insights
Chicago: EV Readiness Requirements
In 2023, the City of Chicago updated its zoning ordinance to require certain new off-street parking spaces to be equipped for electric vehicle (EV) charging, aiming to enhance the city’s EV infrastructure in line with growing EV adoption rates.
This ordinance is specific to properties located in the City of Chicago and only applies to projects where the first building permit application is started on or after November 1, 2023. It is not to be confused with the statewide Illinois Electric Vehicle Charging Act.
The regulation specifies that all new buildings and major renovations include a specified number of EVSE-ready parking spaces, with varying requirements based on the size and type of structure. The mandate signifies a major shift towards greener building practices.
For developers, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Meeting these requirements can be incredibly expensive. But when implemented effectively, charging programs can become cost-effective while also attracting and retaining high-value residents—electric vehicle owners—to your property.
The regulation can be found in section 17-10-1011 of the Chicago Zoning Ordinance. See link below:
Chicago Zoning Ordinance 17-10-1011
Requirements Summary:
EVSE-Ready: Indicates that the parking space has the necessary infrastructure (e.g., wiring) to support EV chargers.
EVSE-Installed: Indicates that the parking space already has functioning EV chargers installed.
Electrical Capacity Requirements
The regulation states that an EV-ready location has infrastructure to support a level 2 charger with a 40A circuit at 208V / 240V. Considering a 250 unit building, this could result in 10,000A of capacity required! Of course, this amount of infrastructure will be incredibly expensive to design and install, but thankfully the regulation also specifies the ability to utilize an EVSE Energy Management System.
The regulation states that an Energy Management System can be used as long as "each parking space can receive on average 1.5kW of power". So what does this mean? Generally speaking, for a 250-unit apartment example, the total capacity required with an Energy Management System could be less than 2,000A (an 80% reduction in capacity).
An EVSE Energy Management System is the most critical technology to reduce costs for implementing large scale charging programs.
What is an EVSE Energy Management System?
Energy management systems for charging stations operated by allowing multiple chargers to share power from a single circuit. For example, four charging stations could be installed on a single 60A circuit. PlugOp is an advanced energy management software that will actively control the delivery of power to several charging stations based on the number of EVs plugged in and each driver's specific needs.
Utilizing an energy management system such as PlugOp can significantly reduce the cost to meet your EV charging requirements. We encourage developers to reach out to us earlier in the design phase such that we can support their electrical engineering team with designing a cost-effective solution.
Considerations for Charging Programs with Energy Management
Although energy management can be an effective tool for reducing project costs; without the proper management platform, your residents may be disappointed with their charging experience as a result of reduced power. Here are the three biggest considerations to ensure residents love using your charging program although it is configured with energy management:
Convenience: EV owners want to be able to come home every night, plug in, and forget about it. We call this an assigned charging experience, and with the EV being plugged in every night, there is more than enough power even with energy management to replenish daily driving needs.
Transparency: In most energy management-based charging systems, it can be difficult for users to understand how long it will take to fully charge their vehicles, especially as other users plugging in can significantly reduce power delivery. Consider an energy management software that focuses on informing users of expected charge times when power delivery changes.
Flexibility: Charge speed flexibility can enhance the user experience. This flexibility primarily comes from allowing users to request additional energy when needed. For example, a system that enables users to ‘skip the line’ for faster charging when they need it most ensures user satisfaction.
At PlugOp, we have features built into our platform, to ensure all three of these points are taken care of. Reach out below to learn more about how we can help you meet the Chicago EV Parking Regulation for a significant cost reduction while maintaining a fantastic user experience!
