Accommodation for electric cars ranks among the top emerging parking trends for 2011, according to a survey of parking professionals conducted by the International Parking Institute (IPI), the largest parking industry trade association.
Responding to President Barack Obama’s call for 1 million electric cars on the road by 2015, the IPI says expanding recharging spots is critical to achieving this goal. Communities will need to adapt existing parking garages and add electric charging stations in both public and private parking.
Electric cars spend about 90% of their time parked, like their gasoline-powered counterparts, but must charge while they sit. Offering easy access to charging stations extends the range of electric vehicles, which can drive 100-200 miles at a time when fully charged. Vehicle charging should be available at around 1 million charge points in the U.S. by 2015, according to a 2010 study by Pike Research.
