Mayor Durkan Approves Electronic Vehicle Readiness Legislation

On May 8, Mayor Durkan signed Electric Vehicle Readiness legislation into law. The new rules went into effect on June 7. The legislation will require all new buildings with off-street parking to include electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The goals are to save substantial costs on future charging station installation; reduce barriers to owning electric vehicles; and help reshape the city’s transportation systems for a fossil fuel-free future.

The city has indicated that it is studying possible changes to the Land Use Code to require new development in Seattle that includes off-street parking to provide power outlets for EV charging. This ordinance is part of the city’s Drive Clean Seattle initiative and was included in the mayor’s 2018 Climate Action Strategy as one of her 12 priority climate actions.

June 2019