Accessible EVCS Requirements

As demand for electric vehicles increases, providing the infrastructure to charge those vehicles is becoming more common within new and existing parking facilities. When Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS) are provided in California, a portion must be accessible for people with disabilities. Unfortunately, accessible EVCS are often missing or non-compliant.

The most common issue with EVCS accessibility is when accessible parking stalls and accessible EVCS are consolidated into one space. It is important to distinguish the difference between a parking space and an EVCS. A parking space is the area where a vehicle is stored when not in use whereas an EVCS space is the area that is occupied by a vehicle when being charged. While these may sound similar, they are scoped separately and have different marking and signage requirements. The end result is that a parking facility that is required to have one accessible parking stall and one accessible EVCS must provide them separately.

If you are providing EVCS or thinking about providing EVCS at your facility, it is recommended that you consult with a Certified Access Specialist. A CASp will be not only advise how to provide an accessible EVCS but they will also be able to confirm that the EVCS is located on an accessible route that connects to the nearest accessible entrance.

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