LEEDuser’s viewpoint
Frank advice from LEED experts
LEED is changing all the time, and every project is unique. Even seasoned professionals can miss a critical detail and lose a credit or even a prerequisite at the last minute. Our expert advice guides our LEEDuser Premium members and saves you valuable time.
Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
Pilot Credit Closed
This pilot credit is closed to new registrations
To reduce pollution by promoting alternatives to conventionally fueled automobiles.
Requirements
* This credit language is drawn from the LEED v4 draft. Where other point totals are noted, this pilot credit is worth 1 point in total. *Designate 5% of all parking spaces used by the project as preferred parking for green vehicles. Clearly identify and enforce for sole use by green vehicles. Distribute preferred parking spaces proportionally among various parking sections (e.g. between short-term and long-term spaces). Green vehicles must achieve a minimum green score of 45 on the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) annual vehicle rating guide (or local equivalent for projects outside the U.S.) [Europe ACP: Green Vehicles] [South America ACP: Green Vehicles]. A discounted parking rate of at least 20% for green vehicles is an acceptable substitute for preferred parking spaces. The discounted rate must be publicly posted at the entrance of the parking area and permanently available to every qualifying vehicle. In addition to preferred parking for green vehicles, meet one of the following two options for alternative-fuel fueling stations:
Option 1. Electric vehicle charging
Install electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) in 2% of all parking spaces used by the project. Clearly identify and reserve these spaces for the sole use by plug-in electric vehicles. Parking spaces that include EVSE must be provided separate from and in addition to preferred parking spaces for green vehicles. The EVSE must:- Provide a Level 2 charging capacity (208 – 240 volts) or greater.
- Comply with the relevant regional or local standard for electrical connectors, such as SAE Surface Vehicle Recommended Practice J1772, SAE Electric Vehicle Conductive Charge Coupler or IEC 62196 of the International Electrotechnical Commission for projects outside the U.S.
- Be networked or internet addressable and be capable of participating in a demand-response program or time-of-use pricing to encourage off-peak charging.
OR
Option 2. Liquid, gas, or battery facilities
Install liquid or gas alternative fuel fueling facilities or a battery switching station capable of refueling a number of vehicles per day equal to at least 2% of all parking spaces. For New Construction projects self-identifying as warehouses only:Option 1. Alternative-Fuel Vehicles (1 point)
Provide an on-site fleet with at least one yard tractor that is powered by electricity, propane, or natural gas. Provide on-site charging or refueling stations for the vehicles. Liquid or gas refueling stations must be separately ventilated or located outdoors.OR
Option 2. Reduced Truck Idling (1 point)
Provide an electrical connection for at least 50% of all dock door locations to limit truck idling at the dock.General Pilot Documentation Requirements
Register for the pilot credit- Participate in the LEEDuser pilot credit forum
- Complete the feedback survey:
Documentation requirements
|
NC, CS, Retail, Healthcare |
Schools |
|
---|---|---|---|
Option 1 |
Option 2 |
||
Parking plan / site plan indicating main building entrance, preferred parking spaces, and alternative-fuel fueling stations |
x |
x |
|
Photographs of the method used to identify preferred parking spaces (and – if applicable – plug-in electric vehicle spaces) as being reserved solely for the intended vehicles |
x |
x |
|
For projects providing discounted parking rate, excerpt of the communication indicating the discounted parking and photos of signage |
x |
x |
|
Product specifications from manufacturer indicating compliance with a referenced regional standard such as SAE J1772 |
x |
x |
|
For projects using electrical connectors for alternative-fuel fueling stations, a narrative describing the strategies used to encourage off-peak charging |
x |
x |
|
For liquid or gaseous fueling stations located indoors, a copy of the mechanical ductwork plan indicating a dedicated exhaust system. |
x |
x |
|
Copy of the bus and nonbus vehicle fleets emissions reduction implementation plan |
|
|
x |
A signed letter demonstrating the commitment of the school (or other entity with control over the bus fleet) to the implementation of the plan |
|
|
x |
Option 1 |
Option 2 |
|
---|---|---|
Specification on the yard jockey model and fuel type |
x |
|
Site plan indicating alternative-fuel fueling stations |
x |
|
For liquid or gaseous fueling stations located indoors, a copy of the mechanical ductwork plan indicating a dedicated exhaust system |
x |
|
Site plan showing electrical connector locations at loading dock doors |
|
x |
Manufacturer documentation for the electrical connectors installed |
|
x |
Additional Questions
- Were other alternative fuel types considered for installation on the project site? If so, which fuel types and why were they not selected?
- Has the project team explored future opportunities to link EVSE to the building’s utility grid (for demand response and time-of-use pricing)? Please expand upon conversations with the building’s utility provider and describe any obstacles you have encountered in this process.
- Schools Only: Did you encounter difficulties in developing or exploring a phase-in plan for green bus and fleet vehicles? What particular requirement was most difficult?
- Warehouses Only: Do you feel that both options of this credit sufficiently address the intent of the credit – to reduce pollution from conventionally-powered vehicles – for your space type? Why or why not?
Changes:
- 3/15/2013: Lowered preferred parking space requirement from 7% to 5% Lowered charging station requirement from 3% to 2%. Removed international metric (fuel efficiency) to be replaced with ‘or equivalent for projects outside the US’.
South America ACP: Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
Vehicles in South America may qualify as low-emitting and fuel-efficient by meeting both of the following conditions:- A score of Four Stars or above from IBAMA (Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis - Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) Nota Verde Program.
- An A from INMETRO (Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia - National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology) Brazilian Labeling Program for Vehicles.
South America ACP: Green Vehicles
Vehicles in South America may qualify as green vehicles by meeting both of the following conditions:- A score of Four Stars or above from IBAMA (Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis - Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) Nota Verde Program.
- An A from INMETRO (Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia - National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology) Brazilian Labeling Program for Vehicles.
What does it cost?
Cost estimates for this credit
On each BD+C v4 credit, LEEDuser offers the wisdom of a team of architects, engineers, cost estimators, and LEED experts with hundreds of LEED projects between then. They analyzed the sustainable design strategies associated with each LEED credit, but also to assign actual costs to those strategies.
Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.
This information is also available in a full PDF download in The Cost of LEED v4 report.
Learn more about The Cost of LEED v4 »Frequently asked questions
See all forum discussions about this credit »Documentation toolkit
The motherlode of cheat sheets
LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit is loaded with calculators to help assess credit compliance, tracking spreadsheets for materials, sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions, and examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects for you to check your work against. To get your plaque, start with the right toolkit.
Get the inside scoop
Our editors have written a detailed analysis of nearly every LEED credit, and LEEDuser premium members get full access. We’ll tell you whether the credit is easy to accomplish or better left alone, and we provide insider tips on how to document it successfully.
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
Pilot Credit Closed
This pilot credit is closed to new registrations
To reduce pollution by promoting alternatives to conventionally fueled automobiles.
Requirements
* This credit language is drawn from the LEED v4 draft. Where other point totals are noted, this pilot credit is worth 1 point in total. *Designate 5% of all parking spaces used by the project as preferred parking for green vehicles. Clearly identify and enforce for sole use by green vehicles. Distribute preferred parking spaces proportionally among various parking sections (e.g. between short-term and long-term spaces). Green vehicles must achieve a minimum green score of 45 on the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) annual vehicle rating guide (or local equivalent for projects outside the U.S.) [Europe ACP: Green Vehicles] [South America ACP: Green Vehicles]. A discounted parking rate of at least 20% for green vehicles is an acceptable substitute for preferred parking spaces. The discounted rate must be publicly posted at the entrance of the parking area and permanently available to every qualifying vehicle. In addition to preferred parking for green vehicles, meet one of the following two options for alternative-fuel fueling stations:
Option 1. Electric vehicle charging
Install electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) in 2% of all parking spaces used by the project. Clearly identify and reserve these spaces for the sole use by plug-in electric vehicles. Parking spaces that include EVSE must be provided separate from and in addition to preferred parking spaces for green vehicles. The EVSE must:- Provide a Level 2 charging capacity (208 – 240 volts) or greater.
- Comply with the relevant regional or local standard for electrical connectors, such as SAE Surface Vehicle Recommended Practice J1772, SAE Electric Vehicle Conductive Charge Coupler or IEC 62196 of the International Electrotechnical Commission for projects outside the U.S.
- Be networked or internet addressable and be capable of participating in a demand-response program or time-of-use pricing to encourage off-peak charging.
OR
Option 2. Liquid, gas, or battery facilities
Install liquid or gas alternative fuel fueling facilities or a battery switching station capable of refueling a number of vehicles per day equal to at least 2% of all parking spaces. For New Construction projects self-identifying as warehouses only:Option 1. Alternative-Fuel Vehicles (1 point)
Provide an on-site fleet with at least one yard tractor that is powered by electricity, propane, or natural gas. Provide on-site charging or refueling stations for the vehicles. Liquid or gas refueling stations must be separately ventilated or located outdoors.OR
Option 2. Reduced Truck Idling (1 point)
Provide an electrical connection for at least 50% of all dock door locations to limit truck idling at the dock.General Pilot Documentation Requirements
Register for the pilot credit- Participate in the LEEDuser pilot credit forum
- Complete the feedback survey:
Documentation requirements
|
NC, CS, Retail, Healthcare |
Schools |
|
---|---|---|---|
Option 1 |
Option 2 |
||
Parking plan / site plan indicating main building entrance, preferred parking spaces, and alternative-fuel fueling stations |
x |
x |
|
Photographs of the method used to identify preferred parking spaces (and – if applicable – plug-in electric vehicle spaces) as being reserved solely for the intended vehicles |
x |
x |
|
For projects providing discounted parking rate, excerpt of the communication indicating the discounted parking and photos of signage |
x |
x |
|
Product specifications from manufacturer indicating compliance with a referenced regional standard such as SAE J1772 |
x |
x |
|
For projects using electrical connectors for alternative-fuel fueling stations, a narrative describing the strategies used to encourage off-peak charging |
x |
x |
|
For liquid or gaseous fueling stations located indoors, a copy of the mechanical ductwork plan indicating a dedicated exhaust system. |
x |
x |
|
Copy of the bus and nonbus vehicle fleets emissions reduction implementation plan |
|
|
x |
A signed letter demonstrating the commitment of the school (or other entity with control over the bus fleet) to the implementation of the plan |
|
|
x |
Option 1 |
Option 2 |
|
---|---|---|
Specification on the yard jockey model and fuel type |
x |
|
Site plan indicating alternative-fuel fueling stations |
x |
|
For liquid or gaseous fueling stations located indoors, a copy of the mechanical ductwork plan indicating a dedicated exhaust system |
x |
|
Site plan showing electrical connector locations at loading dock doors |
|
x |
Manufacturer documentation for the electrical connectors installed |
|
x |
Additional Questions
- Were other alternative fuel types considered for installation on the project site? If so, which fuel types and why were they not selected?
- Has the project team explored future opportunities to link EVSE to the building’s utility grid (for demand response and time-of-use pricing)? Please expand upon conversations with the building’s utility provider and describe any obstacles you have encountered in this process.
- Schools Only: Did you encounter difficulties in developing or exploring a phase-in plan for green bus and fleet vehicles? What particular requirement was most difficult?
- Warehouses Only: Do you feel that both options of this credit sufficiently address the intent of the credit – to reduce pollution from conventionally-powered vehicles – for your space type? Why or why not?
Changes:
- 3/15/2013: Lowered preferred parking space requirement from 7% to 5% Lowered charging station requirement from 3% to 2%. Removed international metric (fuel efficiency) to be replaced with ‘or equivalent for projects outside the US’.
South America ACP: Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
Vehicles in South America may qualify as low-emitting and fuel-efficient by meeting both of the following conditions:- A score of Four Stars or above from IBAMA (Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis - Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) Nota Verde Program.
- An A from INMETRO (Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia - National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology) Brazilian Labeling Program for Vehicles.
South America ACP: Green Vehicles
Vehicles in South America may qualify as green vehicles by meeting both of the following conditions:- A score of Four Stars or above from IBAMA (Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis - Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) Nota Verde Program.
- An A from INMETRO (Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia - National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology) Brazilian Labeling Program for Vehicles.