Owning an electric vehicle may not be a feasible option for those with street parking
With the rise of electric vehicles, and countries even pledging to ban new gas/diesel vehicles in the future, you would think that it would be getting easier to make the transition to more eco-friendly forms of transportation. Unfortunately, for those in the city who utilize street parking, that just is not the case.
Toronto resident James Scarrow has decided to make the switch to an electric vehicle, and even put a down payment on a Tesla Model S, only to find out that he will not be able to charge his car. Scarrow is one of 53,000 Toronto drivers who rely on street parking for their vehicles and according to city bylaws power cords can not be run out to the curb, nor can charging stations be installed.
"This would constitute a violation of city bylaws and provincial electrical code regulation, and would be a serious safety hazard," the city's Cheryl San Juan said in an email.
Scarrow is frustrated as it looks like his chances of being able to own a Model S, or any other electric vehicle are slim.
"Without a method of home-charging in street parking zones at least on the table … I don't see how I can continue with the purchase of an EV. I imagine many others on permit parking feel the same way."
Toronto City Councilor Jaye Robinson is sympathetic to Scarrow's frustration, but stresses that the city needs to figure out how much installing and operating the charging stations will cost the city, and how to go about making it a reality.
"I don't think we're doing enough. I think we get a bit of a failing grade on this," Robinson said, regarding making Toronto an electric vehicle friendly city. "This is going to continue to be something that people want to own ... We have to make sure we have the infrastructure to support it."