Guide to California Regulations for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

A high-level, non-official overview of key California regulations affecting public and commercial EV charging stations.

Regulatory landscape overview

Electric vehicle charging stations installed in California may be subject to oversight from multiple state agencies depending on how the equipment is used, whether it is publicly accessible, and whether fees are charged.

Key regulatory themes include:

• Commercial measurement and accuracy
• Consumer transparency and payment access
• Installer workforce qualification
• Accessibility for users with disabilities

Commercial measurement and accuracy requirements

EV charging equipment used for commercial purposes (e.g., charging a fee based on energy or time) is subject to state measurement and accuracy standards.

Scope and exemptions

• Non-commercial charging is generally exempt
• Residential charging in multi-unit dwellings may be exempt when no usage-based fee is charged

Compliance timelines (summary)

Commercial chargers must be evaluated under recognized type-approval programs and placed into service by an authorized service agency, with visible approval markings.

Consumer protection and payment transparency

Publicly accessible EV charging stations that require payment must meet consumer transparency standards.

Labeling and disclosure

• Clear labeling of charging equipment
• Disclosure of all applicable fees at the point of sale

Payment access

Public chargers that charge a fee are expected to support:

• Contactless payment methods (e.g., card or NFC-based options)
• An alternative access method such as a toll-free phone number or SMS
• No mandatory membership or subscription to dispense energy

Network interoperability and data reporting

Networked EV charging systems are subject to interoperability expectations to support roaming and open access.

• Minimum technical interoperability standards apply to network providers
• Operational and utilization data may be required to be reported periodically
• Public charging location data is commonly shared with national station locator databases

Installer qualification and workforce standards

Certain publicly funded or publicly supported charging projects require installation by qualified electrical contractors with specialized EV infrastructure training.

General workforce expectations

• Installers must hold appropriate electrical licenses
• At least one trained EV infrastructure electrician must be present per crew
• Higher-power charging equipment typically requires a greater percentage of trained personnel

Accessibility requirements for EV charging stations

Public and shared-use EV charging stations in California must comply with accessibility provisions under state building codes.

Key accessibility principles

• Accessible routes from parking areas to chargers
• Minimum clear floor space at charging equipment
• Designated standard and van-accessible EV charging spaces

Accessible EV charging space minimums (summary)

Providing accessible charging may reduce the total number of standard parking spaces, which should be considered during site planning.

Summary:
California’s EV charging regulations are designed to ensure accuracy, consumer protection, accessibility, and safe installation. Project developers and site hosts should evaluate how each regulatory area applies to their specific use case and consult qualified professionals when planning installations.