EV Parking Charging
Charging electric vehicles (EVs) during parking is most practical in areas where users anticipate leaving their cars for approximately 4 hours, such as residential or workplace parking. These locations are particularly well-suited for Level 2 chargers.
When identifying sites for EV installations in open parking lots, it is crucial to consider existing electrical services and panels that can serve as connection points for the charger system. If the charging system is expected to surpass the capacity of existing electrical services, attention should be given to utility power lines in the area to serve as a connection point for the charging system.
Another important aspect is to provide charging facilities for handicap parking spaces, and if needed, mark new striping to ensure accessibility for charging.
Installing EV charging in parking garages involves additional considerations. Given that EVs are generally heavier than their gasoline counterparts, it is essential to analyze the structural capacity to accommodate a large number of EVs. Additionally, existing parking garages often have limited electrical capacity due to their typically low requirements. Generally, they may only have 400A services, allowing for only a few chargers to be connected. For new garages, the electrical design should anticipate the future increase in EV usage and provide available charging spots, especially for apartment parking garages.