I have high hopes of driving an electric ramped Van in the future. (Isn’t this cute?)

Pedestal mounted electric recharging stations

Pedestal mounted electric recharging stations

I am the classic around-town driver, just right for an electric vehicle. I was greatly disappointed to see this recent photo of a new electric car recharging station at a parking lot. Our new infrastructure isn’t being build with those of us with disabilities in mind. I noted at least three physical barriers to being able to plug an electric car into these recharging stations if you use a mobility device.

  • The station is located behind the wheelstop with no accessible route the end of the car.
  • The station is mounted on a pedestal that is raised on a curb greater than 10″ from the face of the curb.
  • The controls for operating the station are greater than 48″ off the surface of the parking area.

Can you see any others?

Here’s an interpretation by the Hawaii Disability and Communication Access Board.  It makes a great basis for design for charging stations.

New Interpretive Opinion on Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations

The Disability and Communication Access Board has just issued a new interpretive opinion covering electric vehicle parking stalls and charging stations.  The interpretive opinion applies to all projects covered by HRS §103-50 and is consistent with the design recommendations from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT).

ADAAG Section 309 Operable Parts and 502 Parking SpacesWhere EV charging stations are provided, 5%, but not less than one of each type of EV stations shall be accessible.

An accessible parking stall at an EV charging station shall be 192 inches wide minimum.  The parking stalls at accessible EV charging stations shall comply with ADAAG Section 302; changes in level are not permitted.  Slopes within the accessible stalls shall not exceed 1:48 in any direction.  Parking spaces shall be designed so that cars, when parked, cannot obstruct the required clear width of adjacent accessible routes.

The EV charging equipment shall comply with ADAAG 309 operable parts.  Turning space complying with ADAAG 304.3 shall be provided at the EV charging equipment.

An accessible route shall be provided from an accessible EV parking stall to the accessible EV charging equipment.  An accessible EV charging station shall connect to an accessible route and shall comply with ADAAG 206.2.2.  Accessible routes shall comply with ADAAG Chapter 4.

[Rul: 08/15/12] (Auth and Imp: HRS §103-50)

View a copy of the Interpretive Opinion: IO 2012-01 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
A copy of the Interpretive Opinion will soon be posted on the DCAB’s web site.  For questions related to the Interpretive Opinion, contact Mona Higa at 586-8121 or via e-mail at: mona.higa@doh.hawaii.gov.

Of course, those of us who drive and use mobility devices are also still just trying to assure access to gas for our vehicles.