Construction and technology have always been deeply
connected, and as the “internet of things” grows, there’s a new element to be
considered in this partnership: personal vehicles. Never has technology been so ingrained in our
daily lives, and the construction industry is in a special place to feel the
effects of this shift. The influence of tech and green building trends leads
one to ask how electric vehicles will be a factor in construction in the coming
years.
Changes will most likely have their roots in legislation, as
evidenced by the addition to this
year’s green building code of certain mandatory considerations for electric
vehicle charging facilities. Government policy decisions are the single largest
factor in the scope and timing of electric vehicle accommodations in
California. Having said that, a mix of
policymaking, administrative, environmental and even cultural forces will
determine the outcome of electric vehicle facility implementation.
In the last week , Governor Brown signed
an expansive energy plan for the state which aims to increase renewable
energy sources and decrease emissions. As part of this plan, in an effort to
reduce reliance on gas, there is a stimulus program for utilities to build more
EV charging stations. Utilities have already begun work on overhauling the
foundation for EV charging, but regulators are quick to put up roadblocks in
order to force proper assessment and planning of any such projects. Recently a
proposal by PG&E to hike electricity rates in order to fund an EV
infrastructure project was found to be overly ambitious and rejected in its
current form by the California Public Utilities Commission. This slows things
down, but it ultimately won’t stop the project from progressing.
Meanwhile, businesses like this luxury hotel chain
are installing EV charging stations in an attempt to be more competitive in
the market, a sign that maybe EVs are becoming an important part of our
country’s transportation system and not just a novelty.
As the state implements the governor’s energy policy and the
public utilities expand EV infrastructure, it stands to reason that electric
vehicle ownership could increase in response. As it is there are more EVs on
the road than public charging stations, and this is causing
problems among California drivers.
In the coming years, we could see a jump in electrical contractors in
the State of California obtaining certifications to install EV chargers, as
well as hose facilities becoming more
the norm in new construction projects.
