The project in question is a warehouse/retail outlet for a chain of construction supply stores. The total parking capacity is 436 stalls. We would like to provide recharge stations for electrical vehicles but presently there are no electrical cars on the market yet in this area. As a result we would only be guessing at the requirements for recharging. We propose to provide rough-ins for 120/208V up to 60A between two designated stalls in addition to regular 120V outlets, which can be used for hybrid car block heaters until such time when electrical cars will be available. We would provide 7 rough-ins, servicing 14 stalls, which is 3% of the total capacity. These stalls will be in a preferred location and will be reserved for hybrid cars in the meantime. Will this approach meet the intent of credit SS 4.3?
Typically, projects cannot earn this credit by installing conventional (or upgradable) 120V outlets for charging Level 1 EVs or by installing rough-ins for 120/208V or 240V outlets without also installing charging stations specifically manufactured for street legal, long range Level II commuter EVs. The installation of conventional outlets for charging Level I EVs (including low-speed and/or neighborhood EVs such as GEMs or Think cars) can achieve this credit only under the following circumstances: 1. Campus settings and project types where project teams can demonstrate that street legal low speed Level I EVs are appropriate for the particular building use or functions AND that the EVs provided are capable of displacing conventional automobile use by 3% of peak shift, full-time equivalent workers (or equivalent usage) AND proof of ownership (by the building owner or institution in question) of the Level I EVs described above is provided. 2. Urban residential projects as described in SSc4.3 CIR Ruling dated 2/2/04. The above ruling supersedes SSc4.3 CIR Ruling dated 10/27/03. Also, the inquiry\'s mention of the use of outlets for hybrid car block heaters is addressed by SSc4.3 CIR Ruling dated 2/25/03: "simple electrical outlets do not constitute vehicle charging stations. This interpretation prevents outlets provided for electric block heaters in cold climates from masquerading as alternative vehicle refueling stations." Lastly, SSc4.3 CIR ruling dated 1/09/02 pertains to preferred parking for hybrid vehicles: "Preferred parking does not result in the technology being implemented on site . . . No credit will be given for the preferred parking approach for this credit." Applicable internationally.