Maryland Proposes That New Buildings be EV-Ready

Pre-Wiring for Electric Vehicle Charging

Maryland Senate Bill 627 proposes to amend the state building code to require the installation of EV-Capable, EV-Ready, and EVCS-Installed parking spaces. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Jeff Waldstreicher of Montgomery County, would apply to new construction as well as existing buildings that undergo significant renovations.

The terms EV-Capable, EV-Ready and EVCS-Installed are defined in the bill as:

“EV–CAPABLE PARKING SPACE” MEANS A DEDICATED PARKING SPACE PROVIDED WITH ELECTRICAL PANEL CAPACITY AND INSTALLED CONDUIT THAT HAS THE ABILITY TO SUPPORT FUTURE IMPLEMENTATION OF EV CHARGING WITH A MINIMUM 40 AMPERE, 208/240 VOLT CIRCUIT.

“EV–READY PARKING SPACE” MEANS A DEDICATED PARKING SPACE THAT HAS A FULL CIRCUIT INSTALLATION OF A MINIMUM 40 AMPERE, 208/240 VOLT CIRCUIT PANEL CAPACITY, RACEWAY WIRING, RECEPTACLE AND CIRCUIT OVERPROTECTION DEVICES.

“EVCS–INSTALLED PARKING SPACE” MEANS A DEDICATED PARKING SPACE WITH AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION WITH AT LEAST LEVEL 2 CHARGING CAPABILITY THAT IS FULLY INSTALLED FROM THE ELECTRICAL PANEL TO THE PARKING SPACE.

Maryland EV-Ready Building Code

The code will apply to privately owned commercial buildings, multifamily residential buildings, mixed–use buildings consisting of five or more residential dwelling units, single–family homes, and townhouses. Each building will be required to include a minimum percentage of EV–Capable, EV–Ready, and EVCS–Installed parking spaces in the garage or parking area.

FOR A PRIVATELY OWNED COMMERCIAL BUILDING, OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES DEDICATED TO THAT BUILDING:
10% SHALL BE EVCS–INSTALLED PARKING SPACES; AND 
15% SHALL BE EV–READY PARKING SPACES; 

FOR A MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING, OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES DEDICATED TO THAT BUILDING: 
20% SHALL BE EVCS–INSTALLED PARKING SPACES; 
50% SHALL BE EV–READY PARKING SPACES; AND
30% SHALL BE EV–CAPABLE PARKING SPACES; 

Maryland SB627 as introduced

100% of the parking spaces dedicated to a townhouse or single–family unit will have to have EV–Ready parking spaces. If a single residential unit is assigned two adjoining parking spaces, then both spaces may be served by a single EV–Ready connection.

The bill, if passed, would apply to any building construction or renovation for which a building permit is issued starting on July 1, 2023. 

In 2018, Howard County passed legislation to require pre-wiring for EV charging at all new residential construction. Frederick County is presently considering a similar ordinance.

A Public Hearing for SB 627 is scheduled for February 15 at 1:00 p.m. in the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee.

PlugInSites is tracking electric vehicle legislation in Maryland, Virginia and certain EV related bills in other states. Follow the progress of those bills at the 2022 PlugInSites EV Legislation Tracker.