Raleigh rolls out speedy permits for electric car recharging

Raleigh is preparing for the arrival of plug-in electric cars by creating a streamlined permitting system for household battery rechargers.

Recharging an electric car puts a heavy demand on a home's electrical wiring and could require modifications and upgrades to accommodate a 220-volt outlet.

Getting a city permit for the recharger would have taken a homeowner at least three days, so the city has created a streamlined procedure that will take just one hour, said Frank Olafson, Permits Office Administrator for Raleigh.

The Wall Street Journal reported today that Nissan, which is introducing the all-electric Leaf automobile this year, lobbied Raleigh officials to make the change. Nissan's goal to to become the first mass-marketer of electric cars, but that goal depends on hassle-free permits for recharging stations, the Journal says.

Using a 220-volt outlet reduces recharging time from 20 hours to 8 hours. But the more powerful outlets -- used by electric dryers and other heavy-duty appliances -- raise a host of safety concerns.

Raleigh will require the outlets to be placed at least 4 feet off the ground, to prevent a car from sideswiping the mechanism and exposing lethal wiring. For ground-mounted charging units, Raleigh will require a protective barrier.

Olafson said some older homes may need upgrades to the electrical service panel to handle the amount of power needed to recharge from a 220-volt outlet.

Raleigh has been upgrading its permitting process for the past six months. The effort was prompted by a request from Nissan.

"The question was asked: Is there a way to make it simpler and easier?" Olafson said. "There are a lot of different codes involved."

In addition to the Nissan Leaf, the Chevy Volt plug-in electric hybrid is also due out later this year.

Olafson said that residents of small towns and rural areas, where code enforcement officials are unfamiliar with electric recharging stations, may spend days getting the recharging dock approved.

Nissan estimates that it will cost $2,200 to install a recharging station, according to the Journal. The cost of the dock, and the car itself, can be partially offset with federal tax credits.

An electrical permit in Raleigh costs $74.