Unless you plan to install an EV charging station in a remote wilderness, code requirements will emerge as one of your earliest considerations as you plan your build. Even in the unlikely case that your area has few or no code requirements, your EV charging station should meet stringent industry standards for your customers’ safety and health.
Furthermore, if you plan to apply for federal, state, or local grants or other assistance, you’ll need to research what protocols you must follow to qualify for each resource. Here are some of the most critical code requirements you need to meet for a successful launch.
Zoning Ordinances
Like most buildings in urban, suburban, or even rural areas, your EV charging station must fit within specific categories similar to other buildings in that area. If you plan a commercial charging station, for example, you must build your station on a plot of land zoned for commercial use.
On the other hand, if you plan to install EV charging stations – or EV-capable parking spaces – in residential multi-family buildings or single-family housing, you need to choose a location zoned for residential use, as an Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) article notes. Work with a real estate agent with expertise in meeting zoning requirements, and you’ll save time and hassle.
In addition, be sure to familiarize zoning officials with the unique needs of EV charging stations, as a Greenlancer post advises. Since EV charging infrastructure is a relatively new industry, many officials unfamiliar with the EV industry might misclassify your project, resulting in delays.
Parking Ordinances
Many municipalities have specific ordinances that regulate where a facility may install parking spaces, what kinds of vehicles can park there, and what other types of buildings and other facilities can occupy adjacent properties. EV charging station owners who want to place EV chargers in existing parking lots or construct new parking spaces should research the parking statutes in communities where they want to locate their charging equipment.
On the other hand, some communities have mandated that parking garage and lot owners install EV charging stations in a specific percentage of their parking spots, as an Electrification Coalition case study points out. Parking facility owners who might not have intended to install EV chargers might find themselves scrambling to meet these requirements if they don’t keep up with local and state government EV readiness plans.
Other requirements that many EV readiness plans mandate include the following:
- Charging stations must have dedicated electrical circuits with enough capacity to handle the current for each charging point.
- Electrical panels must bear labels with the words “EV-Ready” that are easily visible from where customers will park.
Some communities, too, might welcome on-street (curbside) charging points. Since curbside charging stations usually take up space that other vehicles might park in, you’ll need to work closely with your municipality’s parking authority to ensure your stations don’t crowd out people who only want to park their cars.
Most states and major urban centers plan to accommodate the growing number of EV drivers, so it pays for parking facility owners to keep up with developments in the EV space. Attending trade shows and other EV industry events can provide parking lot owners and managers with up-to-date information about the latest regulatory developments.
If you’re a parking facility owner or manager, it’s well worth the time and money to keep up with any electrification plans your state or municipality has in the works. Avoiding nasty surprises with proactive planning almost always saves you time and money in the long run.
Building Codes
As the Alternative Fuels Data Center article cited earlier points out, building codes cover a broad range of construction issues, including electrical and plumbing installation, as well as safety and health guidelines. Although most communities’ codes use federal or international standards to model their building codes after, they do vary in some of their finer points.
For that reason, you should consult the local authority that handles the inspection and permitting processes to make sure you follow the letter of the law as you plan your new construction. Maintaining a good relationship with local government officials can also help you steer them in a more EV-friendly direction when they update the codes.
Building codes for EV charging stations will also vary depending on what other amenities you want to include on your property. For instance, if you plan to include a snack bar, a convenience store, or even a restaurant inside your building to attract more customers, you will likely need to meet stringent health requirements to obtain a building permit.
Similarly, if you plan to retrofit EV charging stations into an existing gas station, you’ll need to take more safety precautions – such as locating your combustible fueling points at a safe distance from your EV charging points, lest a stray spark ignites a fire.
Residential Electrical Code Permitting Requirements – NEC Article 625
Although local statutes might vary, electrical code requirements for residential applications usually follow the national standard – the National Electric Code (NEC) Article 625, as an AFDC article states. The minimum standards required for residential installations include the following:
- Level 1 Residential Charging Basics: Level 1 charging only requires a standard NEMA connector combined with a SAE J1772. A NEMA 5-15 connector is the three-prong plug most modern outlets can handle. However, since many homeowners want to fully charge their vehicles overnight, installing a Level 2 charging station in new residences or remodeled homes might provide more return on your investment.
- Level 2 Residential Charging Basics: Level 2 EV charging equipment requires 240-volt service, which most homes now have. However, residential applications also need a dual-pole 40-amp circuit dedicated to providing electricity for EV charging only, according to the AFDC piece cited above.
Those are only the basic requirements. Article 625 of the NEC, though, goes much further into detail about all the areas that a residential installation must cover to qualify for a permit. Use the US Department of Energy’s sample form as a checklist of requirements for your electrical contractor to cover before you apply for a residential installation permit.
Electrical Code Requirements for Commercial EV Stations
In addition to meeting the Article 625 standards required for residential installations, commercial EV charging stations require extra attention since they serve a broad range of customers, some without any EV charging experience. Safety and charging capacity are paramount in any electrical device that the general public will use, as the IECC 2024 EV Charging Infrastructure guidelines advise.
EV Charging Capacity
Electrical distribution equipment that supplies the branch circuits for every EV-capable, EV-ready, or EV charging station must have a calculated load of 7.2 kVA for each space. If the equipment is under the control of an energy management system, it must have a calculated load of at least 3.3 kVA for each space.
Each branch circuit that serves these spaces must also have at least a rated capacity of 50 amperes. If you use an energy management system, branch circuits must have a minimum of 25 amperes per space. However, if yours is an R-2 occupancy where all your parking spaces are either EV-ready or have charging stations up and running, your branch circuits may have a minimum of 20 amperes per space.
Safety Requirements for Commercial EV Charging Stations
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates workplace safety. If your commercial EV charging station has employees, it falls under this agency’s authority, as well as that of local governing bodies.
To ensure your station is compliant, follow these safety guidelines to keep your employees and customers safe.
- Install indoor charging stations in a well-ventilated space.
- Use wires and circuit breakers that are the proper size for each application.
- Properly ground all your EV charging stations to avoid the risk of shock with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
- Train your employees in EV charging station safety guidelines.
- Provide your customers with clearly worded signs that teach them how to charge their cars safely.
- Inspect and maintain your charging stations frequently.
- Use only qualified electricians to install and maintain your charging equipment.
- Install chargers far from heat sources and flammable materials.
- Ensure that any chargers you purchase have automatic shut-off features that keep your equipment from overheating or overcharging.
- Install signage on each charging point to state its amperage and voltage.
Learn More About EV Charging Code Requirements at the EV Charging Summit
Code requirements can seem cumbersome, but the bureaucracy-busting electrical experts at the EV Charging Summit can help you untangle the legalese and set you on the road to success. From our workshops to regular sessions, you’ll get to network with other EV charging professionals while soaking in all the information our presenters can provide.
Don’t limit your company’s attendees to your leadership team, though. Bring your most promising employees to help you implement best practices across your organization. Register for your spot at the Summit today!
