Putting electric vehicles on the map: A policy agenda for residential charging infrastructure in Canada

Electric vehicles (EVs), when powered with sustainable sources of electricity, can contribute to the mitigation of climate change through reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The Canadian province of British Columbia (BC) is an attractive location for EV deployment because similar to 85% of its electricity is sourced from large hydropower. The driving ranges of EVs and their potential to reduce local emissions mean they are well suited to urban contexts, where most residential buildings in BC are located. The challenges associated with installing new charging stations, particularly in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings (MURBs), can become barriers to uptake of EVs. In this study, we develop a conceptual framework to identify the challenges, potential barriers and stakeholders involved in the process of charging infrastructure installation in MURBs. We establish four main domains to this problem, each of which involves specific stakeholders: charging infrastructure installation, building limitations, governance issues and parking availability. Mapping out these problem domains using decision-making flow diagrams allows us to characterize their internal dynamics and the relationships between stakeholders. As EV markets continue to grow both in Canada and across the world, a better understanding of barriers to stakeholders in these residential settings is essential for informing policy interventions.