Town Council approves YTCC Electric Vehicle Charging Station Text Amendment

Town Council approves Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities LDR Electric Vehicle Charging Station Text Amendment 

Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities applied for an amendment to the Land Development Regulations to require specific percentages of electric vehicle charging station(s) and electric vehicle charging station ready spaces be installed at time of new building construction.

Contacts:

Alicia Cox, Executive Director

Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities

alicia@ytcleancities.org

810-955-5811

Jackson, WY | January 19th — After the third and final reading at the January 17th Town Council meeting, the Town Council approved the electric vehicle charging station (EVSE) Land Development Regulation (LDR) amendment, establishing ordinance 1339, which became effective January 18th. 

The EVSE LDR amendment, proposed by Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities (YTCC), provides the guidance to require charging infrastructure and electric vehicle charging station “ready” spaces to support electric vehicle charging stations at newly constructed workplaces, multi-unit dwellings (MUDs) and residential locations. The intent is to install charging infrastructure at the time of construction, when it is least expensive to do so, and to allow future MUD homeowners or renters access to charging at home. Studies have found 80% of charging occurs at home. YTCC worked with Alex Norton of OPS Strategies, to develop the amendment language to best align with the LDRs.

Currently, there are 22 Level 2 and DC fast charging station locations with 49 ports available to the public. Only a handful are considered “workplace charging” where an employee can charge during their working hours. In addition, there are no level 2 charging stations currently available at MUDs. Those living in MUDs may not have a dedicated garage or even parking space and if they rent, the ability to charge an electric vehicle at home is even more complex and potentially cost prohibitive to install. 

The number of registered electric vehicles in the Town of Jackson has outpaced adoption at the national level. Lower Valley Energy, the utility serving the Town of Jackson, provides some of the cleanest and cheapest electricity in the nation, providing Town of Jackson residents, businesses, and government entities the opportunity to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also saving on fuel costs. 

“We are so pleased and fortunate to have town staff and elected officials who support and understand the importance of providing this guidance. This ordinance is a significant step towards the Town reducing greenhouse gas emissions, providing equitable access to charging infrastructure and ensuring fiscal responsibility by installing or preparing sites for charging infrastructure at the time of least cost. We are very thankful to the Town Council for approving this measure.” Alicia Cox, Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities Executive Director.

This amendment aligns well with the Town of Jackson’s NetZero 2030 goal. As the availability of charging infrastructure grows, the ability for all income levels of Town of Jackson residents to purchase an electric vehicle increases as well. In addition, the cost to install a station during construction is four times less than installing post construction.

“The Town of Jackson is extremely excited for this amendment because it addresses the future of EV charging in our community.” Johnny Ziem, Assistant Public Works Director, Town of Jackson. 

“Not only do electric vehicles produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than internal combustion engine vehicles, they also contribute less to air and water pollution. This ordinance will make it easier for the Town of Jackson to meet both our sustainability goals and the growing demand for electric vehicle charging while providing more residents with the freedom to drive the vehicle that is right for them.” Tanya Anderson, Ecosystem Stewardship Administrator, Town of Jackson.

The early models of electric vehicles were often considered luxury vehicles, but with all major car manufacturers having made commitments to electric vehicles, the number of base models available have grown to 40 with many at competitive sticker prices. Some new electric cars starting MSRP are around $28,000 and adding the $7,500 tax credit brings the price close to $20,000 for a new car.  In addition, as electric vehicles are into their second decade of availability, used electric vehicles are more available. Finally, the inflation reduction act provided for the expansion of the electric vehicle tax credit to last until 2032 and used vehicles, at least 2 years old, can qualify for up to a $4,000 tax credit.

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Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities is the sole regional designee of the Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program. YTCC works to advance alternative fuels, vehicles and infrastructure and sustainable transportation options to increase energy security and sustainability in the Greater Yellowstone region.