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U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

ADA Compliance for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

The U.S. Access Board has developed a technical assistance document, "Design Recommendations for Accessible Electric Vehicle Charging Stations" that covers the following topics:

  • Designing and installing electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure that is accessible to and usable by people with disabilities
  • Existing requirements in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) that apply to EV charging infrastructure
  • Accessibility features for EV charging infrastructure, the associated parking spaces, and payment systems
  • Applicability of the recommendations to public and residential locations.

ADA-compliant EV charging stations should be accessible, easy to use, and safe. Key considerations include ensuring adequate space for exiting and entering the vehicle, unobstructed access to the charging station, free movement around the charging station and connection point on the vehicle, clear paths and proximity to building entrances, and appropriate signage. The user interface and payment system, or information and communication technology (ICT), must also meet Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act if the EV charging station is developed, procured, maintained or used by the federal government.

State or local codes may have specific requirements related to the design, marking, and signage for an ADA-compliant EV charging space and/or the minimum number of accessible charging ports that must be provided. One example of this is California, which has issued accessibility regulations that include a minimum number of accessible charging stations for public and shared use as reviewed in a presentation from the California Division of the State Architect.