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    Designing for The 2010 ADA for Accessible Design in Multiple Building Types.

     

    Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations

     Posted on - Wednesday, February 1st, 2023

    Electrical Vehicles are very popular and the need for Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations (EV) has been on the rise. Even though there were electrical vehicles before the ADA Standards were published and there were Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations (EV), the ADA did not have requirements for accessible electrical vehicle parking or charging stations. The US Department of Energy did issue a directive on work place EV stations, but it has not been adopted as part of the ADA.

    “As the U.S. Department of Justice has not issued formal accessibility guidelines addressing electric vehicle charging stations, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation issues the following technical clarifications until such time as federal standards become available and are adopted”.The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) issued Technical Memo TM 2012-01 which gives the requirments for the electrical vehicle charging parking spaces and this newsletter will explain and give examples.

    Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations

    Per TM 2012-01: “If electric charging stations are provided in new or existing parking lots, parking garages or other location containing parking spaces, twenty percent (20%) but not less than one, of each type of charging station in each cluster on a site shall meet the following criteria:

    In the photo above, there are no accessible EV stations. 20% but not less than one of these electrical vehicle charging stations are required to be provided for persons with disabilities.

    Each cluster of electrical vehicle charging spaces will have to comply with the 20% rule.

    Controls:

    Controls and operating mechanisms for the accessible charging station shall comply with TAS 309 and shall be within the forward reach ranges specified in TAS 308.2;

    Charging stations must have a clear floor space measuring 30″x48″ minimum so a person in a wheelchair can approach it and use it. That clear floor space, must have a slope of 2% in all directions.

    There is a bollard in the way of the controls at this EV station

    Charging stations controls should be within reach range for either a forward or side approach depending on the space allowed. The controls in the photo above shows it far from the edge and higher than 48″ a.f.f. which appears to not be within reach.

    Size of Vehicle spaces and access aisle

    Per TM 2012-01: The vehicle space(s) with the accessible charging station shall be at least 96 inches wide and shall provide a 36 inch wide (minimum) accessible route complying with TAS 402 on both sides of the vehicle space to allow the user adequate space to exit their vehicle and access both sides of the vehicle.


    The charging stations in the photo above shows the two 36″ aisle on both sides of the space.
    Signage:

    Directional and informational signage complying with TAS 216.3/703.5 shall designate the location of the accessible charging stations.

     

    If not all EV stations are accessible, there needs to be a directional signage that shows a person with disabilities where it is located.

    Some recommendations: NOT MANDATORY

    Striping of the accessible routes is recommended but not required.

    The striping at the accessible route is not required, but it is advisory to provide it. This is an image from the California code

    The symbol of accessibility is recommended but not required.

    The International Symbol of Accessibility shown in the photo above is for the accessible parking space which is also being used as the accessible EV station. The accessible EV station may not be the accessible parking for non-electrical vehicles. They must have its own separate parking spaces.

    The International Symbol of Accessibility shown in the accessible electrical vehicle charging station parking space is not rerquired. The photo above shows the symbol, but it does not meet the minimum requirements in Texas or California

    The signs above are examples and layout of signage. They are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to imply that there are no other options available.