SCR 131: Making Way For Electric Vehicles – 2020

Senate Concurrent Resolution 131, introduced by Senate Minority Leader Michelle Stennett (D-Ketchum) and House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel (D-Boise), ensures that Idaho is prepared when more Electric Vehicles (EVs) roll into our state.

Currently, if you rent an apartment or condo and are hoping to purchase an electric vehicle, you are at the mercy of your property manager or parking lot manager for a charging station. SCR 131 encourages the Idaho Building Code Board to consider EV-capable infrastructure in future revisions.

Idaho ends up exporting at least $2.1 billion a year out of state to buy gasoline or diesel for our vehicles. If we were to produce home-grown electricity to fuel our vehicles (with clean carbon-free power), we would keep those dollars circulating in Idaho’s economy. Zero-emissions EVs also have the potential to improve Idaho’s air quality. Finally, maintenance and operation costs of EVs are lower, saving Idahoans even more money.

It’s far cheaper to install EV-capable infrastructure at the time of construction. Studies have estimated EV-capable parking spaces cost an average of $520 at the time of construction, compared to $7,500 for a retrofit.

EVs are the future of automobiles. Auto manufacturers are increasingly focused on new models and the market for EVs is growing fast. Many auto manufacturers have committed to 100% electric fleets in the coming decades.

This resolution smartly encourages Idaho’s planners to think ahead so that Idahoans will be ready for EVs when they arrive.