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Evolution of low-emitting vehicles credit
This pilot credit represents the draft language for a new Green Vehicles credit in LEED v4. The credit requirements represent an evolution of the longstanding low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehiclesFuel-efficient vehicles have achieved a minimum green score of 40 according to the annual vehicle-rating guide of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. credits from earlier versions of LEED. See the credit language for full requirements.
USGBC
Excerpted from LEED 2009 for Schools New Construction and Major Renovations
COPYRIGHT © 2009 BY THE U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDLT Pilot Credit 70: Green vehicles
Intent
This is a pilot credit. To use any pilot credit on your LEED project, be sure to register here. Documentation requirements and additional questions are listed below.To reduce pollution by promoting alternatives to conventionally fueled automobiles.
Requirements
* This credit language is drawn from the LEED v4 draft. Where other point totals are noted, this pilot credit is worth 1 point in total. *
Convert 7% of all parking spaces used by the project to preferred parkingPreferred parking, available to particular users, includes designated spaces close to the building (aside from designated handicapped spots), designated covered spaces, discounted parking passes, and guaranteed passes in a lottery system. for green vehicles. These spaces must be clearly identified and enforced for sole use by these vehicles. If the parking is sectioned according to use (e.g. between short-term and long-term spaces), the preferred parking spaces must be proportionally distributed among the spaces.
Green vehicles must achieve a minimum green score of 45 on the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) annual vehicle rating guide. For projects outside the U.S., vehicles must achieve an average fuel efficiency (45% highway, 55% city) of 6.5 liters or less per 100 km.
A discounted parking rate of at least 20% for green vehicles is an acceptable substitute for preferred parking. The discounted rate must be publicly posted at the entrance of the parking area and permanently available to every qualifying vehicle.
Option 1. Electric vehicle recharging
Install electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) in 3% of all parking spaces used by the project. Clearly identify and reserve these spaces for the sole use by plug-in electric vehicles.
The EVSE must:
- Provide a Level 2 charging capacity (208 – 240 volts) or greater.
- Comply with the relevant regional standard for electrical connectors, such as SAE Surface Vehicle Recommended Practice J1772, SAE Electric Vehicle Conductive Charge Coupler.
- Be networked or internet addressable and be capable of participating in a demand-response program or time-of-use pricing to encourage off-peak charging.
OR
Option 2. Liquid, gas, or battery facilities
Install liquid or gas fueling facilities or a battery switching station capable of refueling a number of vehicles per day equal to at least 3% of all parking spaces.
For New Construction projects self-identifying as warehouses only:
Option 1. Alternative-Fuel Vehicles (1 point)
Provide an on-site fleet with at least one yard tractors that is powered by electricity, propane, or natural gas. Provide on-site charging or refueling stations for the vehicles. Liquid or gaseous refueling stations must be separately ventilated or located outdoors.
OR
Option 2. Reduced Truck Idling (1 point)
Provide an electrical connection for at least 50% of all dock door locations to limit truck idling at the dock.
Documentation requirements
NC, CS, Retail, Healthcare Schools Option 1 Option 2 Parking plan / site plan indicating main building entrance, preferred parking spaces, and alternative-fuel fueling stations x x Photographs of the method used to identify preferred parking spaces (and – if applicable – plug-in electric vehicle spaces) as being reserved solely for the intended vehicles x x For projects providing discounted parking rate, excerpt of the communication indicating the discounted parking and photos of signage x x Product specifications from manufacturer indicating compliance with a referenced regional standard such as SAE J1772 x x For projects using electrical connectors for alternative-fuel fueling stations, a narrative describing the strategies used to encourage off-peak charging x x For liquid or gaseous fueling stations located indoors, a copy of the mechanical ductwork plan indicating a dedicated exhaust system. x x Copy of the bus and nonbus vehicle fleets emissions reduction implementation plan x A signed letter demonstrating the commitment of the school (or other entity with control over the bus fleet) to the implementation of the plan x For New Construction projects self-identifying as warehouses only:
Option 1 Option 2 Specification on the yard jockey model and fuel type x Site plan indicating alternative-fuel fueling stations x For liquid or gaseous fueling stations located indoors, a copy of the mechanical ductwork plan indicating a dedicated exhaust system x Site plan showing electrical connector locations at loading dock doors x Manufacturer documentation for the electrical connectors installed x Additional Questions
- Were other alternative fuel types considered for installation on the project site? If so, which fuel types and why were they not selected?
- Has the project team explored future opportunities to link EVSE to the building’s utility grid (for demand response and time-of-use pricing)? Please expand upon conversations with the building’s utility provider and describe any obstacles you have encountered in this process.
- Schools Only: Did you encounter difficulties in developing or exploring a phase-in plan for green bus and fleet vehicles? What particular requirement was most difficult?
- Warehouses Only: Do you feel that both options of this credit sufficiently address the intent of the credit – to reduce pollution from conventionally-powered vehicles – for your space type? Why or why not?
Potential Technologies & Strategies
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4 Comments
Credit SSc4.3 and LTpc70
Can a project pursue LTpc70 as an Innovation in Design Credit if SSc4.3 has been awarded? In addition to the dedicated LEFE vehicle parking, the project also includes a CNG fueling station and electrical connections at more than 50% of the dock doors.
low emittig count for green vehicles?
Hi, we are trying to achieve this pilot credit, and we doubt if the prefered spaces already reserved for credit SS4.3 for low emitting and fuel efficient vehicles could be counted also for the compliance of this pilot credit.
thanks
Shared parking facilities
Im not sure if in this pilot credit applies that the parking facility is not part of the LEED project construction scope. We are aiming to obtain the credit SSc4.3 with the parking facility of the building besides our site. These parking spots are for electrical cars and already have the electrical car chargers. Would it be possible to apply for this pilot credit with all this info?
Thanks a lot!
Hi Maria - The pilot credit would use the same qualification requirements as SSc4.3, so if you are receiving credit under SSc4.3, you could probably qualify for the pilot credit as well. In terms of receiving credit for parking outside of the LEED project scope, if you are pooling parking with the other building, the point would probably be awarded as long as the project uses reserved spaces for the project as the project’s parking capacity OR uses the entire parking garage as the capacity if spaces are not reserved.
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