Take action to help improve California’s multifamily residents' access to EV charging! Make a public comment on the CALGreen Code to the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Every three years, the building code is updated to set requirements for new and existing buildings. Right now, the public comment window is open for a 45-day period (May 17-July 1, 2024).

The 2025 Code is slated to take big steps to increase access to charging for multifamily residents. Thanks to many years of advocacy by EVCAC and its allies, we are thrilled that in the new code, every new multifamily unit with parking (with a key exception) will get an EV Ready receptacle! However, our work is not done and some key changes would ensure both more clarity and equity. Urge the HCD to improve the building code to expand access to the environmental, health, and financial benefits of EVs. Send our pre-written email by clicking “start writing.”

The EV Charging for All Coalition (EVCAC) recommends these changes for this code cycle (read our full recommendation letter here):

1. Protect existing Level 1 EV charging when building parking facilities are being upgraded.

Why: Level 1 charging is sufficient for many EV drivers’ needs and we want to ensure that this low-cost, highly accessible option continues to be available to building owners.

2. Remove the exception to the EV charging requirement for spaces served by parking lifts.

Why: Parking lift vendors have sided with EVCAC in stating that parking lift technology is fully capable of accommodating EV charging, and that the exception for parking lifts is unnecessary and unfair.

3. Clarify wording regarding mixed assigned and unassigned parking in multifamily buildings.

You are welcome to customize your comment with your own lived experience, or send our pre-written email — simply click “start writing.”.

Thank you for supporting equitable access to EVs!