Electric Vehicle Charging at County of Los Angeles South Vermont Street Location

The installation of 16, level 2 Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment in a 900-vehicle parking structure at a County Service Center at 8300 S. Vermont Avenue in South Central Los Angeles, a community of color in the 85th percentile as a disadvantaged community, was a bold move. When this project was approved, there were on two public level 2 Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment within a four-mile radius of the site and only two or three employees drove plug-in vehicles. The project’s goal was to install Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment at scale to enable and accelerate the adoption of plug-in vehicles and provide public access for the secondary (used) car market.

Several obstacles were encountered not the least of which was the re-location of most of the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment to the employee area and the consequent impact on project funding. There were significant installation issues and delays. But in the end, the installation was completed, and its utilization is growing exponentially.

Major findings are that many (contractors, Building and Safety staff and field inspectors) are not familiar enough with various Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment requirements especially around Americans with Disability Act issues and parking counts. Rebates from utilities can have requirements and it is up to the incumbent to read and understand them.

But the most important finding and/or conclusion is that if you build it, it will be used. People will not purchase or lease a vehicle if they are unable to charge it. Charging infrastructure is critical. Coworkers and colleagues are a trusted source of information.

Major recommendations are:

• Applicants shall provide documentation as to whether Americans with Disabilities Act applies to an installation and if it does, how Americans with Disabilities Act and parking counts will be addressed.
• Applicants shall provide documentation as to how they will comply with the Air Resources Board’s new requirements for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (SB 454).