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Philadelphia Council Mandates EV Charging Infrastructure in City Parking Spots Starting Immediately

Official:Amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Zoning and Planning” by revising provisions for electric vehicle parking and electrical supply requirements and making technical changes, all under certain terms and conditions.

Sponsor: Councilmember Ahmad

Introduced: November 14, 2024

: Committee on Rules

electric vehiclesenvironment zoning

Plain-Language Summary

This bill updates Philadelphia's zoning and planning laws to accommodate electric vehicles by requiring buildings with parking spaces to install EV charging infrastructure, including specific electrical supply requirements.

What This Bill Does

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Buildings with parking spaces must install EV charging infrastructure, specifically Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), to accommodate electric vehicle parking.
Electric Vehicle Parking Spaces must be equipped with at least a Level 2 installed EVSE, regardless of whether vehicles are parked or charged for a fee.
Electric Vehicle Parking Spaces must be equipped with a dedicated branch circuit with a minimum of 40-ampere and 208/240-volt assigned for EVSE.
The bill makes technical changes to the electrical supply requirements for EV charging infrastructure, including specifications for charging levels (e.g. Level 1, Level 2).

Both Sides

AI-written arguments. Every figure is checked against the bill text.

The case for

This bill requires new and existing buildings with parking spaces to install EV charging infrastructure, including a dedicated branch circuit and at least a Level 2 EVSE, to accommodate electric vehicle parking. This benefits building owners, managers, and residents, as it encourages the adoption of electric vehicles, reduces carbon emissions, and increases the value of their properties. It also supports the city's goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable transportation, while ensuring safe and efficient EV charging.

The case against

This bill imposes a significant financial burden on property owners, particularly small businesses and residents, who must install and maintain expensive EV charging infrastructure, including dedicated branch circuits and high-ampere electrical supplies. This requirement is likely to increase the cost of parking spaces, potentially making them unaffordable for many building owners and tenants, and could lead to increased rents and property taxes. Additionally, the bill gives the city's electrical department new enforcement powers, potentially allowing for fines and penalties for non-compliance, which could be a strain on local resources and create a new layer of bureaucracy.

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