Accessible EVCS Requirements

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Did you know that Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS) have accessibility requirements?

As a result of CALGreen requirements and an increased demand for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, EVCS are being provided at more and more facilities throughout California. Depending on how many EVCS are provided at your facility, a portion of those EVCS must be accessible. Accessible charging stations have many technical requirements but to summarize, they must have: an access aisle, level ground surface, and be located on an accessible route that connects the EVCS to the facility that it serves. Accessible parking stalls and accessible EVCS cannot be combined because they are required to be marked differently.

Unfortunately, we are finding that accessibility is not being considered when designing EVCS. Often times, we find that the EVCS are clustered at a location that is convenient for electrical service but not on an accessible route to the facility entrance(s). Providing non-compliant accessible EVCS can be very costly for property owners. Not only is exposure to lawsuits increased but relocating EVCS to an accessible location can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Will adding or altering and EVCS at an existing facility trigger barrier at other areas of my property?

YES, an important consideration for adding or altering EVCS at existing facilities is that Path of Travel improvements will be triggered as a result of adding or altering EVCS.

Path of Travel Improvements include:

  • A primary entrance to the building or facility

  • Toilet and bathing facilities

  • Drinking fountains

  • Public telephones

  • Signs

What should I do before beginning my EVCS project?

We highly recommend hiring a CASp to review your plans and to assess the existing areas and elements on the path of travel before beginning your EVCS project. Doing so will ensure that the EVCS are designed correctly and inform you about the potential costs associated with path of travel improvements.

For more information, call Certified Access Services at 619-736-8585.

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Cory Cabral

Cory Cabral is our co-founder and Senior Certified Access Specialist. He graduated from San Diego State University with bachelors degree in Business Administration. After college he began his career in the sign industry where be became an expert in the field of ADA signage. During that time, he found that many of his clients were being put out of business because of ADA lawsuits. In most cases, the business owners simply did not know that their businesses had barriers to accessibility. He soon began searching for resources to help his clients avoid accessibility lawsuits and discovered the California Certified Access Specialist program. After immersing himself in all aspects of accessibility in the built environment by studying at the CalCasp Academy and the DSA, he became a California Certified Access Specialist. He is now CASp-630 and helps businesses limit exposure to ADA lawsuits by providing them with the resources necessary to make their products and services accessible to all.