Parking lots are becoming as important as cars in climate change efforts
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It’s not just cars that will be going through energy transition in the years ahead. The parking lots where EVs recharge are a growing focus of construction efforts linked to climate change and carbon reduction.
A law approved in France last month requires that parking lots with 80 or more spaces be covered by solar panels within the next five years. For the biggest parking lots, those with more than 400 spaces, three years has been granted to have at least half of the parking lot’s surface area covered by solar.
Similar renewable energy design ideas are expected to gain more market share in the U.S. if not necessarily through a federal mandate.
“You’ll see a lot of the same stuff that you’re seeing in France and other countries, but it probably won’t necessarily play out the same way, in terms of federal action versus state action,” said Bill Abolt, vice president and lead of energy business for infrastructure consulting firm AECOM.
As local and state governments create mandates for renewable energy deployment, and the federal government takes an incentive-based approach to encourage climate technology through measures like the Inflation Reduction Act, major corporations are making their own commitments to solar power.
Target, Home Depot, Walmart and renewable energy
Target revamped one of its California stores with solar panel carports this spring. Home Depot is making efforts to have all of its stores use only renewable energy by 2030, while Walmart hopes to achieve this by 2040. These efforts won’t only come through producing renewable power on-site — procurement of renewable energy from utility-scale projects is among strategic options to meet these goals — but investing in solar power for store locations will become more prevalent.
“You have a lot of significant companies that have stepped up and made commitments to renewable energy and similar things with local governments and institutions. So, there’s no doubt that that level of investment has accelerated the development of technology, the deployment of more cost effective solar,” Abolt said.
The cost to install solar has dropped by more than 60% over the past decade, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.
“There’s no doubt that the cost curve of solar gets better and better all the time and will continue to do so. Private business has done a lot, and we’re seeing even more private investment likely to happen as a result,” Abolt said.
Global commercial real estate company CBRE is partnering with renewable energy company Altus Power to work with clients including many Fortune 500 companies on solar projects.
“The topics that are top of mind for these corporations right now are decarbonization and energy efficiency and energy resiliency,” said Lars Norell, co-founder and co-CEO of Altus Power. “The No. 1 answer is building-sited clean energy,” he said.
Norell said it has now become possible for businesses of all sizes to consider renewable energy projects.
“Something that Walmart or IKEA or Amazon does, smaller family-owned businesses come to us and say ‘Should we do the same thing? Could our roof hold solar?’ The answer in almost all those cases is absolutely yes,” he said.
Public expectations and pressure from boards are key factors in why major corporations tend to act quicker than smaller companies when it comes to renewable energy. “In many cases, smaller companies don’t have quite such an audience that is expecting them to act, but many of them are acting sort of out of self-interest or because they would like to save money,” Norell said.
Solar power and commercial real estate
Solar carports and rooftop solar are the primary solar designs being adopted in the world of commercial real estate.
“We find that there is almost no debate around the wisdom of putting solar in a parking lot,” Norell said. “We believe that rooftop solar and carport solar are going to be easier for most communities to not only accept but embrace as a way to make clean energy.”
In recent years, an increasing number of solar projects have been built over commercial parking lots, and state governments have created incentives specifically for solar carports, including the 2018 Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target, and the Maryland Energy Administration Solar Canopy Grant Program, which provides funding to incentivize the use of solar carports and parking garages, with EV chargers included on site. It has provided up to $250,000 per solar carport project, creating an incentive for commercial businesses to invest in the projects.
“Increasing power prices and more government support, like in France where they mandated it, we think will mean that more parking lots are going to have carports,” Norell said.
Commercial retail centers and logistics buildings are prime targets for solar. Commercial retail centers, like grocery stores, consume higher levels of energy and often feature big parking lots. Logistics buildings like warehouses feature large rooftops that are optimal places to implement rooftop solar energy.
Altus Power forecasts that most buildings will have a solar power system over the next decade.
With the growing production and consumption of EVs — the International Energy Agency reported that U.S. electric car sales doubled in market share to 4.5% in 2021, reaching 630,000 EVs sold — solar-powered commercial businesses become more beneficial to consumers requiring EV chargers in parking lots.
The same will be the case for warehouses and distribution centers.
“Once we start getting good at having electrical-powered van fleets and trucks, all those trucks come to those logistical buildings, and that’s an excellent spot to put up fleet chargers, so that when the truck is busy … we take the opportunity to charge its electrical battery as well,” Norell said. “We can charge it with clean electricity because we’re making solar power on the roof, and that’s then going into the truck.”
A couple years ago, my wife started a new job as an elementary school principal. It was an exciting milestone, but it also came with a stressful commute. The school isn’t far – just a few kilometers across the city – but during rush hour, taking the bus often meant sitting in gridlock for 45 minutes. Not exactly the best way to start or end a workday.
So we got her an electric bike.
Not just any e-bike, either. She picked out a sleek little folding model called the Rayvolt Exxite XS. It’s light, stylish, easy to ride, and best of all, it doesn’t take up much space at home or at school.
But here’s the kicker: it only goes 25 km/h (15.5 mph). It doesn’t even have a throttle. You have to pedal it, you know, like a neanderthal.
And yet… it’s faster than cars. A lot faster.
Her commute now takes about 10 minutes. Maybe 12 minutes if she catches a few red lights. She zips past long lines of idling cars, breezes down bike lanes, and parks right at the school entrance. No searching for a parking space. No waiting for late buses. No moving so slow that you can clearly see a piece of gum stuck on the road. Just hop on and go.
In raw numbers, her commute time has been cut by more than 75%. Now she’s easily traveling 3-4x faster than a car or bus.
And the only thing that changed was swapping four wheels for two – and ditching the idea that the “faster” vehicle is always the one with more horsepower and an extra few thousand kilos to lug around.
She went with something of a sleek-looking e-bike, but anyone could get the same or better performance from a simple, mass-market e-bike like a $999 Lectric XP4, all for a few months of car payments or nearly a year of bus riding. This isn’t expensive stuff. In fact, it’s cheaper, it saves time, and it’s more fun.
In cities choked with traffic, a modest Class 1 e-bike like hers can be 3–4 times faster than driving. Not because it’s a speed machine (it’s not), but because cars are stuck. Stuck behind other cars. Stuck behind buses. Stuck behind the myth that they’re the only real way to get around.
The bike’s other benefits aren’t lost on her either. She gets a bit of exercise every day to help keep her in shape. She gets fresh air. She gets to actually experience our amazing city instead of watching it go by through a window. And she arrives at school with a smile instead of a headache.
At school, she parks in a guarded area. Back home, she can easily take her bike right up to our apartment in the elevator. It’s no muss, no fuss, easy breezy beautiful e-bike girl.
So yeah, I got my wife an e-bike that’s faster than cars. It didn’t take 1,000 watts or some monster battery pack. It just took rethinking what speed really means in a city.
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The best-selling Mercedes-Benz SUV is going electric, and it’s bringing a new style with it. Mercedes promises the new GLC EV “redefines” the face of the luxury brand. Here’s our first look.
Mercedes previews flashy new face with the GLC EV
We will get our first look at the new electric SUV in a little over a month at the Munich Motor Show. Ahead of its official debut, Mercedes has been hyping the GLC EV up as what could be one of its most important vehicles (EV or gas) to date.
The GLC is already the best-selling Mercedes SUV globally and in the US, but the luxury automaker is promising the electric version will take it to the next level.
“Our new iconic grille is not just a new front for the GLC, it redefines the face of our brand,” according to Gorden Wagener, Mercedes’ chief design boss. Wagener says the new look is “the perfect fusion” of lasting design (and more LED lights) that will be used on upcoming vehicles.
The new electric GLC will be the first to showcase the new face. Mercedes gave us a sneak peek of it on Monday, revealing the revamped grille design.
When you pass by the iconic three-point star, you know it’s a Mercedes-Benz vehicle. For over 100 years, the chrome grille has been the face of nearly every model.
Although it’s been updated and evolved, this is its most extreme redesign yet. The new grille is bold and wide. Again, you won’t be missing this one when it drives by.
After adopting a more “EV-look” with the closed-off grille in its first-gen electric vehicles, Mercedes is reverting to a more traditional luxury design, similar to that of Cadillac or BMW, with a chunky, wide chrome grille. An illuminated version will also be available, featuring 942 backlit dots.
Mercedes says the optional high-tech pixel design can even be animated to bring the electric GLC to life.” The iconic star and border of the panel are also illuminated.
The GLC EV is the first of a new family of vehicles that will feature its advanced new MB.OS supercomputer alongside the updated design.
Mercedes is also promising an optional new MBUX HYPERSCREEN, “elevates the interior of the new GLC in a way never seen before.” We will get our first official look at the new Mercedes GLC EV on September 7 at the Munich Motor Show.
The luxury automaker says the event will mark the beginning of a new era with its largest product launch yet. In addition to the electric GLC debut, Mercedes will hold the world premiere for the new CLA EV, CLA Shooting Brake, and Concept AMG GT XX. Check back soon for more updates leading up to the event.
What do you think of the new face of Mercedes? Are you a fan? Or should the luxury brand go back to the chalkboard again? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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Costco’s EV Marketplace hopes to guide its members through every step of their electrification journey with helpful articles, insights, and resources. The online resource gas just hit its six-month milestone, and to celebrate, they’re rolling out fresh deals on three new Volvo EVs.
SKIP THE STORY: take me to the deals.
“It’s normal to have questions when you’re considering an EV,” reads Costco’s Marketplace copy. “Are EVs safe? How long will my EV last? Can EVs handle harsh weather? We’ve answered these questions and more so you can have peace of mind about living the EV life.”
That’s how it starts, and the Marketplace, true to its word, continues with informational articles about EV incentives (Money Matters), charging FAQs (All About Charging), the differences between hybrids, PHEVS, and EREVs (Hybrids and PHEVs), and Expert Perspectives on topics like autonomous driving and buying usd EVs.
It’s pretty basic stuff, and you’d probably get a lot more nuanced and useful real-world takes on the hows and whys of fitting an EV into your everyday life by reading the comments on Electrek, but the Costco site passes the Jo Borrás Father-In-Law Test™: it’s easy, accessible, and does everything it can to avoid taking any sort of environmental or political stand.
And, best of all, it neatly organizes all the different GM EVs eligible for Costco member discounts. And, now through September, that list includes a (returning) trio of all-electric Volvo models: the EX90, EX40, and Electrek EV of the year for 2024, the Volvo EX30.
Check out the deals, below, and click on the Make/Model names to find more discounts and deals on new EVs in inventory near you.
Costco members only Volvo deals
- Volvo EX90
$ 1,500 incentive for Gold Star & Business members
$ 2,000 incentive for Executive members - Volvo EX40
$ 1,000 incentive for Gold Star & Business members
$ 1,250 incentive for Executive members - Volvo EX30
$ 1,000 incentive for Gold Star & Business members
$ 1,250 incentive for Executive members
Costco members only GM deals
- Chevrolet Blazer EV
$ 1,000 incentive for Gold Star & Business members
$ 1,250 incentive for Executive members - Chevrolet Equinox EV
$ 1,000 incentive for Gold Star & Business members
$ 1,250 incentive for Executive members - Chevrolet Silverado EV
$ 1,000 incentive for Gold Star & Business members
$ 1,250 incentive for Executive members - GMC Sierra EV
$ 1,000 incentive for Gold Star & Business members
$ 1,250 incentive for Executive members - GMC Hummer EV
$ 1,000 incentive for Gold Star & Business members
$ 1,250 incentive for Executive members - Cadillac OPTIQ
$ 1,000 incentive for Gold Star & Business members
$ 1,250 incentive for Executive members - Cadillac VISTIQ
$ 1,000 incentive for Gold Star & Business members
$ 1,250 incentive for Executive members - Cadillac ESCALADE IQ
$ 1,000 incentive for Gold Star & Business members
$ 1,250 incentive for Executive members
Brightdrop Costco member deal
Finally, I absolutely must stop and highlight what might be the absolute best deals going. With 272 miles of range and more room inside its walls than your college dorm, GM’s Chevy Brightdrop electric van is one of the best commercial EVs you can buy. As a Costco Executive member, you can get one for yourself or your business with an absolutely incredible $31,500 discount. (!)
You can check out Costco’s EV Marketplace for yourself at this link, then let us know what you think of it as a resource – and if you’d recommend it to your in-laws – in the comments.
SOURCE: Costco; images via Volvo, GM.
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