Section 285.220  Charging Station Requirements

Each charging station must meet the following criteria, in addition to any other requirements set forth in a NOFO:

a)         Charging stations and associated equipment must be Level 2 charging stations or Level 3 charging stations, as set forth in the NOFO.

b)         Equipment must be networked.  Charging stations must be equipped with network services that can track usage, collect data, bill customers, and manage electrical loads.  A minimum five-year networking agreement is required for all charging stations.

c)         Equipment must use an open standard protocol as a basic framework for purposes of charging station infrastructure interoperability and network interoperability.

d)         If payment is required, the equipment must be able to accept multiple payment options for drivers.

e)         Equipment must be approved by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) that is accredited to certify electric vehicle supply equipment standards.  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, United States Department of Labor, maintains a current list of NRTLs.

f)         Charging stations must be accessible to walk-up customers.  This means that customers must be able to initiate a charge session without a prior membership or network interaction in a simple, straightforward process.

g)         Charging stations and network systems must provide customer service and support 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

h)         Charging stations must incorporate a cord management system or another method to eliminate potential for cable entanglement, use injury, or connector damage from lying on the ground.

i)          Charging station installation must be performed in a professional manner by a qualified and licensed contractor in accordance with industry standard best practices and all federal, State, and local government laws, codes, ordinances, and permitting and inspection requirements.  Charging station installation must also be performed by a qualified person who is certified by the Commission to install, maintain, and repair electric vehicle charging stations under 83 Ill. Adm. Code 469.

j)          Charging station installations must include protection from damage to ground- and wall-mounted equipment, including protection from vehicle collision (guard posts, wheel stops, curb protection, or wall-mounted barriers).

k)         The charging station must continue to be operated for at least five years after it begins operating.  If the charging station ceases to operate prior to five years, the grantee must notify the Agency and must refund to the Agency the entire grant amount.