What is EV Charging and Why is it Important to Building Owners?

Electric Vehicle (EV) charging refers to the process of replenishing the battery of an electric vehicle using an external source of electrical power. As the global push towards reducing carbon emissions intensifies, EVs are emerging as a pivotal component in the transition to greener transportation methods for both personal and commercial applications. To support the continued increase of EVs in Ontario, electric vehicle charging infrastructure must grow as well.

This, of course, applies to the development of a provincial network of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, but that is not the focus of this article. Rather, we will focus on existing buildings and the infrastructure changes required to accommodate the growing use of EVs by tenants in multi-unit residential buildings and customers of large commercial properties.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the global EV stock is estimated to reach 250 million vehicles in 2030, a 455% increase over 2023. In 2023, global sales of electric cars neared 14 million, reaching 18% of all cars sold. In Canada, the number of EVs registered has risen to 184,578 vehicles [2023] of a total 1.7 million registered vehicles [10.9%]. This increase in EVs, despite diminishing government incentives, underscores the urgent need for building owners to provide reliable charging options to support this growing fleet of EV owners. Moreover, the IEA predicts that the number of EVs on the road could reach 245 million by 2030 if governments implement strong policies to accelerate growth such as monetary incentives for EV ownership or disincentives for fossil fuel use.

If you would like to review these facts yourself, here’s a link to IEA’s 2024 report.

Challenges for Building Owners Installing EV Chargers

1.   Condos and Apartment Buildings: Installing electric vehicle chargers in condos and apartment buildings presents several challenges.

• Limited electrical power capacity from the utility company and within the building’s existing electrical distribution system.
• The need for additional equipment and extensive wiring from the power source to the chargers.
• Difficulty installing chargers downstream of tenants’ own electrical meters when their suite’s electrical panels are no where near their parking spot.
• Coordination among property managers, residents, and utility companies, particularly regarding installation costs and billing.
• Residents not having assigned parking where they can install EV chargers.

2.  Commercial Buildings: Commercial Buildings present their own unique challenges.

• Ensuring sufficient electrical power from the utility company and within the building’s existing electrical distribution system.
• Providing fair and easy access to chargers for employees, customers, and fleet vehicles as the number of EVs increases.
• Creating a billing system that allows each user to pay for their own electricity use.
• Navigating complex permitting processes required by municipalities and utility companies.
• Managing the construction process and monitoring installation and maintenance costs.

3.  Existing Infrastructure Limitations: Upgrading older buildings to support EV chargers can involve significant changes.

• Enhancing the electrical infrastructure from both the utility supply and the building’s electrical system.
• Adding new electrical panels to increase circuit capacity.
• Installing new conduits and wiring.
• Ensuring compliance with safety and building codes.

The Role of an Electrical Engineer in Electric Vehicle Charging Projects

Electrical engineers play a crucial role in the successful deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Ontario. Their expertise is essential in addressing the regulatory, technical and logistical challenges associated with the design and installation. Here are some of the key responsibilities of an electrical engineer in an electric vehicle charging project:

1.  Site Assessment and Planning: Electrical engineers conduct thorough site assessments to determine the feasibility of installing EV chargers. This includes confirming the available utility power supply to the site, evaluating the existing electrical service usage and available spare capacity to support increased power demand, identifying optimal locations for chargers, and planning the necessary upgrades to support additional loads. This information allows the engineer to develop initial construction opinions of cost.
2.  Coordination with the Building Owner: Beyond the technical aspects of powering EV chargers, the engineer will work closely with the building owner to understand key details of the EV chargers locations on the site and how users will access them. This includes reviewing traffic and parking habits, proximity to source power and impact to existing finishes such as concrete side walks, asphalt, etc. Furthermore, the engineer will help the building owner understand options for private vs public use of charges, logging users electrical use and payment systems.
3.  Design and Engineering: They design the electrical distribution systems needed to support EV chargers, including sizing wiring and conduit, specifying sufficient electrical panels, and confirming protective devices are adequate to handle the increases to the electrical distribution system. This design must comply with local electrical codes and electrical utility standards to ensure safety and reliability.
4.  Permitting and Compliance: Electrical engineers navigate the complex permitting process, ensuring that all installations meet regulatory requirements. They work closely with the municipal planning and building departments to obtain the necessary approvals and coordinate with the Electrical Safety Association for their plans review process and inspections during construction.
5.  Project Management: Electrical engineers can support the installation process, coordinating with the general contractor and its trades and subtrades, utility companies, the property owner and other stakeholders to ensure the project stays on schedule and within budget. They may also troubleshoot any technical issues that arise during the construction phase.

Current Trends in Electric Vehicle Charging Technology

1.  Fast Charging: One of the prominent trends is the development of fast-charging technologies. Direct Current [DC] fast chargers can charge a typical passenger vehicle up to 80% charge in as little as 20-30 minutes, addressing the need for quick turnaround times, especially on major highways and within busy urban areas.
2.  Wireless Charging: Emerging wireless charging technology allows for convenient, contactless charging. This technology eliminates the need for physical connectors, simplifying the charging process for users.
3.  Smart Charging: Smart charging systems optimize charging times based on grid demand and energy prices, enhancing power generation efficiency and reducing vehicle operating costs. These systems can dynamically adjust the charging rate to balance the electrical demand load on the power distribution grid, integrate renewable energy sources that may be available at the charge station location, and provide cost savings to end-users.
4.  Billing and Payment Systems: The evolution of billing and payment systems for electric vehicle charging has made the process more user-friendly. Many charging stations now support multiple payment methods, including mobile apps, contactless payments, and subscription-based models. This flexibility ensures that users can easily access and pay for charging services.

Conclusion

In summary, the role of an electrical engineer is indispensable in overcoming the technical and logistical challenges of installing EV chargers in Ontario buildings. Their expertise ensures that building owners are meeting the needs of their tenants / customers. Their support during the construction phase helps the installation be safe, reliable, and capable of meeting the growing demand for electric vehicle charging.

As the adoption of EVs as a reliable and convenient method of transportation continues to accelerate, the importance of electric vehicle charging infrastructure growth and skilled electrical engineers to facilitate the infrastructure growth will increase.