Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: Everything you Need to Know

Thinking about making a switch to an electric vehicle (EV) to reduce your carbon footprint? Well if you live in Philly and decide to make the switch, you can apply to have an EV Charging Station (EVC) installed at the curbside. Oh yeah, here’s the kicker: you can get a parking spot in front of your pad, too!

Here’s what you have to do:

• Step 1: If you own an EV and want a charging station installed in front of your home, fill out and follow the directions on our Electric Vehicle Parking Space Application.
• Step 2: Once we review and approve your application, you must apply to the Department of Licenses & Inspections (L & I) for a curbside electrical outlet and follow the guidelines listed on the application.
• Step 3: With approval from L & I, we’ll head your way and install “No Parking – Electric Vehicle Only” signage.

Here’s some things to keep in mind before we install the signage:

• The proposed Electric Vehicle Parking Space (EVPS) must be no more than 20 feet in length, unless a greater length is necessary, based on the size of the vehicle.
• The proposed EVPS should not be in any location where parking is currently prohibited by state or local law.
• The proposed EVPS would not require elimination of a metered parking space.
• The location is practical with respect to general parking availability.
• No garage, driveway or other location not in the right of way is available to the applicant for parking of the EV.
• The number of reserved, on-street parking spaces, of any kind, on a hundred block, does not exceed:
  • On blocks with single-sided parking: two (2), neither of which is an EVPS
  • On blocks shorter than 500 feet in length, with parking on both sides: three (3), no more than (1) of which is an EVPS
  • On blocks that are 500 feet or longer, with parking on both sides: four (4), no more than (2) of which are EVPSs
• We will not approve an EVPS where the applicant is liable for any delinquent fines or penalties (three or more parking and red-light camera violations).
• The applicant is not entitled to an EVPS based soley on the purchase or lease of an electric vehicle or filing an application for an EVPS
• The Installation Fee must be paid upon approval by the L & I:   
  • Center City and University City area:
    • $250 per 20 feet of space
  • All other areas of the city:
    • $150 per 20 feet of space
• Yearly Renewal Fee:
  • Center City and University City area: $150 per year
  • All other areas of the city: $75 per year
  • If the yearly renewal fee is not paid in a timely manner, the EVPS and EVC can be removed.
• The person who applied for the EVPS should immediately notify us, and the EVPS may be removed, if any of the following events occur:
  • The registration or license plate is transferred to a Non-Electric Vehicle.
  • The EV is transferred to another owner who does not reside at the address for where EVPS was installed.
  • The owner of the EV stops residing at the address where the EVPS was installed.
• An EVPS can also be removed under the following circumstances:
  • Any condition necessary for the granting of the EVPS under the regulation ceases to be met.
  • The EVC or its associated wiring is not maintained in good repair or presents a hazard due to deterioration, malfunction or improper use.
  • Any excavation of the right of way for installation or maintenance of the EVC or associated wiring is not properly restored.
• An EVPS should not be treated as a personal parking spot. Anyone with an electric vehicle is allowed to park in the EVPS. Any abuse of the EVPS (i.e., cones, telling other EV operators they are forbidden to park in the EVPS, etc.) will result in the removal of the space.

And there you have it! But if you have any questions, we can get your answers on Twitter and Facebook. You can also call our Planning & Analysis Department at 215-683-9739 for more details.