EV-ready building bye-laws
Global Lessons for Making Kerala’s Building Bye-laws EV-Ready
Author: Arunima KT, Editor: Pradeep Karuturi
The demand for healthier, more sustainable living spaces has shaped urban design and development for decades. Initially, building bye-laws emerged to address challenges like poor ventilation, cramped housing, and inadequate sanitation. These early regulations ensured a dignified quality of life, evolving over time to accommodate expanding cities, advancing technology, and the need for identity and sustainability in urban spaces.
Today, building bye-laws face a new challenge: supporting the transition to greener mobility through electric vehicle (EV)-friendly regulations. As cities worldwide embrace the EV revolution, EV-ready guidelines have become critical for fostering a robust ecosystem. Recognising this, the Kerala High Court directed the state government to draft guidelines for installing EV charging points in residential complexes. This move aims to bridge the gap in regulations, balancing individual rights and community interests while advancing Kerala’s commitment to green energy and mobility.
Kerala’s Electric Vehicle Policy, 2019, underscores the state’s proactive stance on EV adoption, emphasising charging infrastructure, local manufacturing, and public awareness. However, the absence of mandatory EV charging provisions in building bye-laws creates hurdles like retrofitting challenges, inconsistent enforcement, and limited residential charging options. Aligning these laws with national guidelines, such as reserving parking for EVs and pre-wiring buildings, is vital to overcoming these barriers.
The push for electric mobility is not unique to Kerala. According to the Vahan dashboard, as of 2024, the state had recorded 2.14 lakh EV sales, reflecting growing acceptance of sustainable transport solutions. Nationwide, over 55 lakh EVs are already on the road, signalling exponential growth in adoption. As society accelerates this transition, EV-friendly building bye-laws are essential to support infrastructure needs and ensure seamless integration of electric mobility into daily life. Kerala’s progress highlights the need for proactive policies that combine vision with action, paving the way for a sustainable urban future.
How EV-Ready Building Codes Drive EV Adoption: Key Takeaways from Vancouver and California
Building codes that mandate EV-ready infrastructure play a pivotal role in accelerating electric vehicle (EV) adoption by addressing the key barrier of limited charging stations. By integrating essential features such as wiring, electrical capacity, and charging readiness during construction, cities like Vancouver and California have reduced retrofitting costs, which can be up to six times higher than upfront installation costs.
Vancouver, a leader in integrating EV infrastructure, introduced a requirement in 2013 that 20% of parking stalls in new multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) be equipped with charging circuits. By 2019, this was increased to 100% of parking stalls in new residential buildings. A University of British Columbia survey found that these building codes significantly boosted the availability of home charging options, which encouraged residents to adopt EVs due to the convenience of charging at home. Key findings indicate a growing emphasis on EV-friendly urban planning, with 44% of respondents incorporating EV provisions in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings (MURBs). Over 60% of municipalities now mandate EV-ready parking in new developments, and 50% require at least one EV-ready parking space per unit in residential buildings. Despite challenges like installation costs, with 62% of respondents identifying cost as the biggest barrier, 31% found these costs acceptable when integrated into new projects. Furthermore, 46% of users in regions with EV-ready infrastructure indicated they were more likely to purchase an EV due to the convenience of home charging. These findings underscore the growing impact of EV-ready building codes on boosting EV adoption and supporting sustainable urban development.
Recommendations for Kerala: Building an EV-Ready Future
To build EV-ready byelaws in Kerala, the government can start with a comprehensive review and update of the existing building regulations to incorporate provisions for EV infrastructure. This could involve mandating the installation of electrical capacity, charging provisions, and EV-ready wiring in new buildings. In addition, implementing pilot projects will be crucial to understand the challenges and practicalities of integrating EV-aligned codes into building regulations. These pilot projects will provide valuable insights into overcoming technical, logistical, and financial hurdles, and help fine-tune the implementation strategy. Furthermore, raising awareness among residential welfare associations is essential to build community support for EV infrastructure. Engaging residents will foster greater acceptance of EV-ready provisions and encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, as they will see the long-term benefits of having convenient, home-based charging options. Lastly, it is important to mandate reserved parking spaces for EVs in new residential and commercial buildings, ensuring these spaces are equipped with the necessary wiring to facilitate future charging. By taking these steps, including the implementation of pilot projects, Kerala can create a sustainable and EV-ready infrastructure that supports the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future for the state.
