Austin’s Proposed EV Charging Rules Regulate Station Locations, Size

The Austin City Council is considering changes to the city’s regulations on electric vehicle charging stations, reports Jo Clifton in Austin Monitor. “According to the city’s Climate Equity Plan, by 2030, Austin should have ‘a compelling and equitably distributed mix of level 1, 2, and DC fast charging infrastructure to accommodate 40 percent of total vehicle miles traveled in the city. This translates to 226 megawatts of electrical load and could mean more than 37,000 charging ports.’”

City planners say they want to avoid concentrating EV charging stations in residential and “pedestrian-friendly” areas. “The proposed regulations would permit electric vehicle charging stations at existing gas stations and discontinued gas stations, so long as a subsequent use of the site did not include a restaurant or a residential use.” EV chargers could also be located on commercial sites, highway-adjacent properties, industrial sites, and other non-residential zones.

The proposed rules also include regulations limiting the size of charging stations and their proximity to other chargers, which industry experts are pushing back on.

The council will consider the proposed rules on May 16.