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A resident has indicated a plan to buy an electric car
The resident would like the convenience of an outlet in his assigned parking space (indoors).
For reference, we have a two level (both indoor) parking garage, really enclosed, so it is not an open deck. We can accommodate about 300 vehicles per level.
Can we provide an outlet? Sure, but as there are no outlets now in the garage, an electrician would need to run conduits from our electrical switch room, about 250 feet. Then we would need to install a circuit breaker panel and branch circuits. Yes, I believe we need to plan for more than one outlet as no doubt the usage will grow.
In my view, this is not an inexpensive provisioning activity. And, yes, I’ll be pricing the feeder circuit with our electrician, just to have a ballpark number.
But here’s another question. How do we charge the resident for the electricity used? The electrical utility does not wish to install individual meters, which of course would solve our problem. On the other hand, installing individual meters certainly would be a complex undertaking.
Yes, if we proceed, we would need to relocate the parking areas assigned to the vehicles of some residents, as it would be costly and impractical to “wire” a checkerboard pattern of parking spaces.
We certainly do not wish to incur a huge administrative burden and basically, we would not know where to begin. While it may be possible to “meter” the one branch circuit, the next challenge is equitable apportionment of the charges.
Most importantly, residents without the need for electrical outlets must not be taxed with the costs attendant to a few. On the other hand, the first resident should not be saddled with the full cost, but this could be a daunting hurdle.
And of course if we proceed, there will need to be house rules, waivers (safety regulations), etc.
And what about visitors, do they avail themselves of the power outlet assigned to a resident?
There’s more, but you no doubt have a soupçon herein.
Hey "RLM", good points as always
Resident meters are at quite a distance and it is not convenient to run new branch circuits, e.g.: 22 stories.
Resident contacted utility directly and that is response he received as to sub-metering.
Two reasons, that I don't want to attach convenience outlets from lighting circuits: (1) don't want to overload branch circuits as this universe of electric cars grow, (2) our lights are on generator and I don't need to overload generator.
As for funding, I'm thinking that the first user puts up a bond for the installation and as others avail themselves, they pay into the "bond fund" and the users receive a distribution as the universe grows. But, I need to think this through.
Electric cars have been around for years, and they remain about as popular as botulism. Despite considerable research, the battery problems have never been solved, meaning that both speed and miles-between-charges are severely limited. On top of that, the battle against the entrenched corporate interests in oil will be a difficult one even if electric cars manage to overcome their present limitations.
In short, if someone wants equipment for electric car recharging, that shareholder should be prepared to pay every dime of the cost. As you suggest, you might want to set things up so that the person will be partially reimbursed as other shareholders sign up, but the shareholder needs to understand that the reimbursement may be zero.
"As popular as botulism"? The only thing toxic here is your comment.
Major changes in technology typically take time, and a lot of people, in fact, are anxious for electric cars. Already, manufacturers can't keep up with the demand for gas/electric hybrids.
Using politically charged, right-wing-radio-style insult terms as if that makes your argument for you is just appalling. Please make constructive suggestions without the snide asides.
"A lot of people, in fact, are anxious for electric cars." Of course they are, in the same sense they're anxious for a cure for cancer. The problem is that after decades of intensive research, we have neither a cure for cancer nor an electric car that's viable for mass-market use. This is not for lack of effort or lack of a market: both are laudable goals that would simultaneously improve people's lives and earn many millions of dollars.
Progress has been made in both areas, but believing that either problem is on the brink of a general solution is not realistic. For this reason, I suggested to the original poster -- and reiterate now -- that any investment in electric-car infrastructure be solely at the shareholder's expense.
This is a technological opinion, not a political one. (I'm certainly no fan of "right-wing radio"!) I'd *love* to see a mass-market electric car that was functionally equivalent to a gasoline-powered car. In the meantime, there will be a niche market for hybrids -- but again, I would recommend that the extra expenses be paid solely by the (relatively few) shareholders involved.
Do we wish to become an electric car service supply station?
1. Electric automobiles as the world goes “green”
As you are aware, a resident raised the specter that with the advent of battery operated automobiles there is a need for a power outlet (receptacle) to recharge the batteries of such vehicles. Thus the co-op may be asked to develop a program to supply outlets in our garages and perhaps outdoor parking areas for residents to “refill” their batteries. In one’s private home, this is not a challenge.
2. The co-op challenges
A quick summary of challenges includes:
• There is a need to create rules changes that govern the use of such power receptacles.
• A methodology needs to be implemented to sub-meter and charge-back for the power usage.
• Target areas in the garages must be identified for such installations with the forethought that residents may be displaced from one parking spot to another within the same parking level.
• A feeder conduit and cable of suitable power carrying size connecting the electrical switch room in the south wing (fire pump room) to the target areas in the upper and lower garages must be designed and constructed.
• A branch distribution system (circuit breakers, conduits and receptacles) must be installed above a section of parking spaces with the idea that there may be growth in the years ahead.
• The receptacles need to have locking covers or some other encumbrance such that one resident does not inadvertently use the receptacle assigned to another resident.
• A sub-metering system must be installed for each “activated” receptacle to properly chargeback the power usage to the resident. The utility has indicated to the resident raising the question that it does not wish to provide the sub-metering service.
• Suitable sub-metering capture software and billing facilities integration must occur.
• A pricing model needs to be constructed such that co-op recovers the costs of monthly billing, e.g.: 5% to 10% surcharge on any computed bill or statement.
• Co-op also needs to recover any annual or recurring “maintenance” charges, as yet undetermined.
• Start up costs must be assembled upon completion of design.
• A funding model needs to be constructed.
• A “hold harmless” agreement between co-op and the resident needs to be written.
3. Premise for co-op
Co-op needs to be pro active “green”, but given the small or unknown population that may avail themselves of the service, co-op need not underwrite the installation and operating costs, unless the board so decides.
However, co-op may need to support those that wish to acquire vehicles that are dependent upon electricity.
Certainly, co-op will not have all residents absorb the transportation costs, e.g.: electrical usage, of a few.
4. Start-up costs
As noted there is a modicum of design and construction work to be accomplished among other tasks. This narrative is a quick estimate of cost types associated with initiating the service.
• Feeder conduit and cable from electrical switch room to lower garage.
• Tie cable to upper garage from lower garage, including drilling through the deck
• Circuit breaker panels and branch distribution system with locking receptacles to each parking location (e.g.: twelve) per garage level and twelve car parking area
• Sub-metering software. The premise is that co-op will not absorb the usage costs on the co-op building account.
• Sub-metering device, one per receptacle
• Sub-metering data capture cabling and integration
• Legal fees, e.g.: contracts, rules changes, etc.
• Filing and construction fees
• Insurance
• Estimated start-up costs (one vehicle to twenty-four vehicles)
• Sub-metering device, each additional vehicle and installation of same
5. Funding model
As the usage cannot be forecast, a funding model needs to be constructed such that residents availing themselves of the charging facilities effective liquidate the start-up and any expansion costs as well as the ongoing maintenance costs.
6. Buy-in, operating and departure rules
There will be a need to update the co-op rules to accommodate a resident’s buy-in, operation and departure. For instance, if a resident departs before recovering all buy-in costs, the resident abandons the “buy-in”.
Likewise parking space reallocation needs to be included in the new rules.
Interesting conversation. We'd like to do an article on this, even though it may not be a practical problem right now. Frank, could you email publisher@habitatmag.com with your contact info and we'll give you a call?
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So basically, you're contemplating opening a service station for this one consumer...
I have some questions:
Why wouldn't the user pay for the installation? It's entirely for his/her convenience, yes?
And shouldn't the resident be billed for the work? He/she would be the only one using it, no? Future users could buy in, I suppose, but if you have only one person requesting it, and thus only one person using it...
Can you run the conduit from this resident's branch line so that his/her meter covers electrical use? That would solve the immediate problem... of course, if/when the resident sells out, the new owner might not want/need the electrical outlet...
Why is the electric company refusing to submeter?
There really are NO outlets in the garage at all?
Are there lights in the garage?
Seems likely there are; wouldn't running a line from them be less expensive? And wouldn't there be an easy way to figure additional electrical use from past bills? Couldn't you just charge the resident the difference?
Just thinkin' off the top of my head -- don't envy you the problem.
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