electrify vehicles & bikes. |
: electrifying mobility and adding EV charging to buildings - from residences to commercial spaces
EV's + E-Bikes. They are here. More are coming fast
Although the focus of Electrify Missoula is the built environment, there's not doubt we need to electrify everything, including how we move around. For folks that want to get on the Electrify bandwagon but are limited in what they can do to their home or business, electrifying transportation may be a great option. When we get around by biking, walking, car-pooling or taking the bus, we're actively cutting down on the climate impacts from transportation. Did you know that the transportation sector makes up ~40% of U.S. annual emissions, and ~35% here in Missoula?
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We have more about each of these and how they are a significant part of our climate solutions on Climate Smart's webpage. Head HERE.
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Transportation is a big part of the electrify puzzle. As we build new or retrofit buildings, how do we add EV charging stations onsite or make buildings EV-ready?
A note: "EVSE" is a common term - it stands for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment
A note: "EVSE" is a common term - it stands for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment
EV charging capable - aka "EV Ready" - what to know
First. If you have or plan to get an E-Bike, you don't need to do anything! The battery packs plug into the wall. You are good to go. You should feel good. Yippee!
Second. If you're a homeowner considering purchasing an EV, you may need to upgrade your electrical system to accommodate at-home charging. What you do depends on whether you are okay with
Third. if you are planning, building or retrofitting a housing complex or commercial building, here are recommendations:
Second. If you're a homeowner considering purchasing an EV, you may need to upgrade your electrical system to accommodate at-home charging. What you do depends on whether you are okay with
- A Level 1 slow charge. These use a standard wall outlet (120V) so no electricians are needed. They are slow, often taking 10+ hours to recharge the typical car battery. But if you're mostly using during the day and can charge at night, these work just fine!
- A Level 2 faster charge. These usually require adjustments to your home's electrical system, such as installing dedicated circuits and outlets, and they charge in 4-6 hours.
- Montana DEQ has some basic information here - scroll down to transportation and click on EV in the accordion.
- PC mag: What to Expect When You Have an EV Charger Installed in Your Home
- Washington Post: Considering an electric vehicle? Here’s how to prep your home for one.
Third. if you are planning, building or retrofitting a housing complex or commercial building, here are recommendations:
- EVSE Capable – A parking spaces is EVSE Capable if it is provided with conduit sized for a minimum 40-amp, 208/240-volt dedicated branch circuit from an electrical panelboard with sufficient physical space to accommodate a minimum 40-amp, dual-pol circuit breaker.
- The conduit is a PVC pipe that is the right size to allow for the proper wires to be run through from the electrical panel, in the building or outdoor box, that can connect to the charging station and provide it the power it needs to function.
- Without a town or county regulation, the amount you want to have "capable" or "ready" depends on what your parking lot is used for. You can see based on this table, the percentage of capable and ready spaces really depends on the community. They range from 5% of spaces to 40% and are likely based on EVSE deployment, NetZero, EV registration, and equity goals. So the amount you prepare for depends on a few things, number of spaces, use of the lot and organizational goals. A lot to consider!
- The Department of Energy has great information about charging infrastructure in general and provides more detailed info based on the user needs here.
Another cool thing that is coming - V2G:
Vehicle-to-grid technology, known as V2G, would allow cars charging during the day to take on surplus power from renewable energy sources. During peak demand times, electric vehicles would return some of that stored energy to the grid. As demand tapers off in the evening, the cars would be able to recharge.
V2G could be especially beneficial if used by heavy-duty fleets, such as school buses or utility vehicles. Those fleets would have substantial battery storage and long periods where they’re idle, such as evenings and weekends — and even longer periods like summer and the holiday season when school is out. The batteries on a bus could store as much as 10 times the electricity needed to power a home for a day.
Vehicle-to-grid technology, known as V2G, would allow cars charging during the day to take on surplus power from renewable energy sources. During peak demand times, electric vehicles would return some of that stored energy to the grid. As demand tapers off in the evening, the cars would be able to recharge.
V2G could be especially beneficial if used by heavy-duty fleets, such as school buses or utility vehicles. Those fleets would have substantial battery storage and long periods where they’re idle, such as evenings and weekends — and even longer periods like summer and the holiday season when school is out. The batteries on a bus could store as much as 10 times the electricity needed to power a home for a day.
