103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB0040

 

Introduced 1/20/2023, by Sen. Sara Feigenholtz

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
New Act

    Creates the Electric Vehicle Charging Act. Provides that the Act applies to new single-family homes and newly constructed or renovated multi-unit residential buildings that have parking spaces and are constructed or renovated after the effective date of the Act. Defines terms. Provides that a new single-family residence or a small multifamily residence shall have at least one electric vehicle capable parking space for each residential unit that has dedicated parking, unless any subsequently adopted building code requires additional electric vehicle capable parking spaces or installed electric vehicle supply equipment. Includes electric vehicle parking space requirements for a new, large multifamily residential building or a large multifamily residential building being renovated by a developer converting the property to an association. Includes electric vehicle parking space requirements for affordable housing and for an existing multi-unit residential building subject to an association that undertakes renovation. Includes electric vehicle charging station policies for unit owners and for renters.


LRB103 04654 LNS 49662 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB0040LRB103 04654 LNS 49662 b

1    AN ACT concerning regulation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5Electric Vehicle Charging Act.
 
6    Section 5. Legislative intent. Electric vehicles are an
7important tool to fight the climate crisis, tackle air
8pollution, and provide safe, clean, and affordable personal
9transportation. The State should encourage urgent and
10widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Since most current
11electric vehicle owners are single-family homeowners who
12charge at home, providing access to home charging for those in
13multi-unit dwellings is crucial to wider electric vehicle
14adoption. This includes small multifamily residences and
15condominium unit owners and renters, regardless of parking
16space ownership and regardless of income. Therefore, a
17significant portion of parking spaces in new and renovated
18residential developments shall be capable of electric vehicle
19charging. Additionally, renters and condominium unit owners
20shall be able to install charging equipment for electric
21vehicles under reasonable conditions.
 
22    Section 10. Applicability. This Act applies to new

 

 

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1single-family homes and newly constructed or renovated
2multi-unit residential buildings that have parking spaces and
3are constructed or renovated after the effective date of this
4Act.
 
5    Section 15. Definitions. As used in this Act:
6    "Affordable housing development" means (i) any housing
7that is subsidized by the federal or State government or (ii)
8any housing in which at least 20% of the dwelling units are
9subject to covenants or restrictions that require that the
10dwelling units to be sold or rented at prices that preserve
11them as affordable housing for a period of at least 10 years.
12    "Association" has the meaning set forth in subsection (o)
13of Section 2 of the Condominium Property Act or Section 1-5 of
14the Common Interest Community Association Act, as applicable.
15    "Electric vehicle" means a vehicle that is exclusively
16powered by and refueled by electricity, plugs in to charge,
17and is licensed to drive on public roadways. "Electric
18vehicle" does not include electric mopeds, electric
19off-highway vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, or
20extended-range electric vehicles that are equipped, fully or
21partially, with conventional fueled propulsion or auxiliary
22engines.
23    "Electric vehicle charging station" means a station that
24is designed in compliance with the relevant building code and
25delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle

 

 

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1into one or more electric vehicles.
2    "Electric vehicle charging system" means a device that is:
3        (1) used to provide electricity to an electric
4    vehicle;
5        (2) designed to ensure that a safe connection has been
6    made between the electric grid and the electric vehicle;
7    and
8        (3) able to communicate with the vehicle's control
9    system so that electricity flows at an appropriate voltage
10    and current level. An electric vehicle charging system may
11    be wall mounted or pedestal style, may provide multiple
12    cords to connect with electric vehicles, and shall:
13            (i) be certified by Underwriters Laboratories or
14        have been granted an equivalent certification; and
15            (ii) comply with the current version of Article
16        625 of the National Electrical Code.
17    "Electric vehicle supply equipment" or "EVSE" means a
18conductor, including an ungrounded, grounded, and equipment
19grounding conductor, and electric vehicle connectors,
20attachment plugs, and all other fittings, devices, power
21outlets, and apparatuses installed specifically for the
22purpose of transferring energy between the premises wiring and
23the electric vehicle.
24    "Electric vehicle system" includes several charging points
25simultaneously connecting several electric vehicles to the
26electric vehicle charging station and any related equipment

 

 

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1needed to facilitate charging an electric vehicle.
2    "EV-capable" means parking spaces that have the electrical
3panel capacity and conduit installed during construction to
4support future implementation of electric vehicle charging
5with 208-volt or 240-volt or greater, 40-ampere or greater
6circuits. This strategy ensures the reduction of up-front
7costs for electric vehicle charging station installation by
8providing the electrical elements that are difficult to
9install during a retrofit. Anticipating the use of dual-head
10EVSE, the same circuit may be used to support charging in
11adjacent EV-capable spaces.
12    "EV-ready" means parking spaces that have full circuit
13installations of 208-volt or 240-volt or greater, 40-ampere or
14greater panel capacity, raceway wiring, receptacle and circuit
15overprotection devices. This strategy provides all required
16electrical hardware for the future installation of electric
17vehicle supply equipment. Anticipating the use of dual-head
18EVSE, the same circuit may be used to support charging in
19adjacent EV-ready spaces.
20    "EVSE-installed" means electric vehicle supply equipment
21that is fully installed from the electrical panel to the
22parking space.
23    "Large multifamily residence" means a single residential
24building that accommodates 5 families or more.
25    "Level 1" means a charging system that provides charging
26through a 120-volt AC plug with a standard conductive

 

 

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1connector that meets the SAE International J1772 or J2954
2standard or successor standards.
3    "Level 2" means a charging system that provides charging
4through a 208-volt to 240-volt AC plug with a standard
5conductive connector that meets the SAE International J1772 or
6J2954 standard or successor standards.
7    "New" means newly constructed.
8    "Reasonable restriction" means a restriction that does not
9significantly increase the cost of the electric vehicle
10charging station or electric vehicle charging system or
11significantly decrease its efficiency or specified
12performance.
13    "Renovated" means altered or added where electrical
14service capacity is increased by one electric service panel or
15more.
16    "Single-family residence" means a detached single-family
17residence on a single lot.
18    "Small multifamily residence" means a single residential
19building that accommodates 2 to 4 families.
 
20    Section 20. Electric vehicle capable parking space
21requirement. A new single-family residence or a small
22multifamily residence shall have at least one electric vehicle
23capable parking space for each residential unit that has
24dedicated parking, unless any subsequently adopted building
25code requires additional electric vehicle capable parking

 

 

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1spaces or installed EVSE. A new single-family residence or
2small multifamily residence that qualifies as an affordable
3housing development shall have one EV-capable parking space
4for each code-required parking space if the owner is issued a
5building permit 24 months after the effective date of this
6Act. Where code-required parking exceeds one parking space per
7dwelling unit, only one parking space per dwelling unit is
8required to be EV-capable.
 
9    Section 25. Residential requirements.
10    (a) A new, large multifamily residential building or a
11large multifamily residential building being renovated by a
12developer converting the property to an association shall
13have:
14        (1) 100% of its total parking spaces electric vehicle
15    ready, if there are one to 6 parking spaces;
16        (2) 100% of its total parking spaces electric vehicle
17    capable, of which at least 20% shall be electric vehicle
18    ready, if there are 7 to 23 parking spaces; or
19        (3) 100% of its total parking spaces electric vehicle
20    capable, if there are 24 or more parking spaces, of which
21    at least 5 spots shall be electric vehicle ready.
22    Additionally, if there are 24 or more parking spaces, a
23    new or renovated residential multi-unit building shall
24    provide at least one parking space with electric vehicle
25    supply equipment installed, and for each additional

 

 

 

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1    parking space with electric vehicle supply equipment
2    installed, the electric vehicle ready requirement is
3    decreased by 2%. Where additional parking exists or is
4    feasible, each parking space shall be marked and signed
5    for common use by residents. A resident shall use an
6    electric vehicle parking space only when the resident is
7    charging the electric vehicle.
8    (b) The following requirements and timelines shall apply
9for affordable housing. A new construction single-family
10residence or small multifamily residence that qualifies as an
11affordable housing development under the same project
12ownership and is located on a campus with centralized parking
13areas is subject to the requirements and timelines below.
14    All building permits issued 24 months after the effective
15date of this Act shall require a new construction large
16multifamily residence that qualifies as an affordable housing
17development to have the following, unless additional
18requirements are required under a subsequently adopted
19building code:
20Total number
21of parking
22spacesMinimum number of EVSE-installed spacesMinimum number or percentage of EV-ready spacesMinimum percentage of EV-capable spaces
231-61 space100%--
247-231 space20%40%
2524+1 space5 spaces40%

 

 

 

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1    Required EVSE-installed spaces and EV-ready spaces count
2toward meeting the required percentage of EV-capable spaces;
3for example, for lots with 20% EV-ready spaces, an additional
420% of spaces would need to be EV-capable.
5    The following shall apply for building permits issued 5
6years after the effective date of this Act, unless additional
7requirements are set forth in a subsequently adopted building
8code, for a new construction large multifamily residence that
9qualifies as an affordable housing development:
10Total number
11of parking
12spacesMinimum number of EVSE-installed spacesMinimum number or percentage of EV-ready spacesMinimum percentage of EV-capable spaces
131-61 space100%--
147-231 space20%50%
1524+1 space5 spaces50%
16    Required EVSE-installed spaces and EV-ready spaces count
17toward meeting the required percentage of EV-capable spaces;
18for example, for lots with 20% EV-ready spaces, an additional
1930% of spaces would need to be EV-capable.
20    The following shall apply for building permits issued 10
21years after the effective date of this Act, unless additional
22requirements are set forth in a subsequently adopted building
23code, for a new construction large multifamily residence that

 

 

 

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1qualifies as an affordable housing development:
2Total number
3of parking
4spacesMinimum number of EVSE-installed spacesMinimum number or percentage of EV-ready spacesMinimum percentage of EV-capable spaces
51-61 space100%--
67-231 space20%70%
724+1 space5 spaces70%
8    Required EVSE-installed spaces and EV-ready spaces count
9toward meeting the required percentage of EV-capable spaces;
10for example, for lots with 20% EV-ready spaces, an additional
1150% of spaces would need to be EV-capable.
12    (c) An existing multi-unit residential building subject to
13an association that undertakes a capital maintenance, repair,
14replacement, or improvement project related to electrical
15power infrastructure, when such project constitutes renovated
16as defined in this Act, shall be required to upgrade or install
17electrical panel capacity for dedicated branch circuits
18sufficient to ensure that the residential building has the
19power capacity to become electric vehicle capable as it
20relates to the space requirements in subsection (a). When such
21capital improvements are undertaken, the required number of
22electric vehicle capable designated circuits may be reduced to
23reflect what is possible within the residential building using
24existing power capacities, including use of existing all

 

 

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1electrical panels suitable for electric vehicle charging at
2208-volt or 240-volt AC plugs and any power transformation of
3existing power from higher voltages to voltages suitable for
4electric vehicle charging and the addition of associated new
5electrical panels suitable for electric vehicle charging.
6Under these circumstances the residential building is not
7required to increase the existing utility power supply into
8the building to meet the space requirements in subsection (a).
9    (d) A renovated large multifamily residential building
10that qualifies as an affordable housing development is subject
11to requirements in subparagraph (c) if more than 25% of
12parking spaces are substantially modified.
13    (e) An accessible parking space is not required by this
14Section if no accessible parking spaces are required by the
15local zoning code. For the first required accessible EV-ready
16or EVSE-installed parking space, the electric vehicle supply
17equipment infrastructure may be located so that the electric
18vehicle supply equipment will be located on an accessible
19route and may be shared by an accessible parking space and a
20parking space not required to be accessible. Otherwise, both
21an accessible parking space and a parking space not required
22to be accessible must be EV-ready or EVSE-installed. Residents
23authorized to use an accessible parking space shall not be
24required to charge an electric vehicle to use the parking
25space.
 

 

 

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1    Section 30. Electric vehicle charging station policy for
2unit owners.
3    (a) Any covenant, restriction, or condition contained in
4any deed, contract, security interest, or other instrument
5affecting the transfer or sale of any interest in a
6condominium or common interest community, and any provision of
7a governing document that effectively prohibits or
8unreasonably restricts the installation or use of an electric
9vehicle charging station within a unit owner's unit or a
10designated parking space, including, but not limited to, a
11deeded parking space, a parking space in a unit owner's
12exclusive use common area, or a parking space that is
13specifically designated for use by a particular unit owner, or
14is in conflict with this Section, is void and unenforceable.
15    (b) This Section does not apply to provisions that impose
16a reasonable restriction on an electric vehicle charging
17station. Any electric vehicle charging station installed by a
18unit owner pursuant to this Section is the property of that
19unit owner and in no case will be deemed a part of the common
20elements or common area.
21    (c) An electric vehicle charging station shall meet
22applicable health and safety standards and requirements
23imposed by State and local authorities and all other
24applicable zoning, land use, or other ordinances or land use
25permits.
26    (d) If approval is required for the installation or use of

 

 

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1an electric vehicle charging station, the association shall
2process and approve the application in the same manner as an
3application for approval of an alteration, modification, or
4improvement to common elements or common areas or an
5architectural modification to the property, and the
6association shall not unreasonably delay the approval or
7denial of the application. The approval or denial of an
8application shall be in writing. If an application is not
9denied in writing within 60 days from the date of the receipt
10of the application, the application shall be deemed approved
11unless the delay is the result of a reasonable request for
12additional information.
13    (e) If the electric vehicle charging station is to be
14placed in a common area or exclusive use common area, as
15designated by the condominium or common interest community
16association, the following applies:
17        (1) The unit owner shall first obtain prior written
18    approval from the association to install the electric
19    vehicle charging station and the association shall approve
20    the installation if the unit owner agrees, in writing, to:
21            (A) comply with the association's architectural
22        standards or other reasonable conditions and
23        restrictions for the installation of the electric
24        vehicle charging station;
25            (B) engage a licensed and insured electrical
26        contractor to install the electric vehicle charging

 

 

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1        station. The electrical contractor shall name the
2        association, its officers, directors, and agents as
3        additional insured and shall provide a certificate of
4        insurance to the association evidencing such
5        additional insured status;
6            (C) within 14 days after approval, provide a
7        certificate of insurance that names the association,
8        its officers, directors, and agents as an additional
9        insured party under the unit owner's insurance policy
10        as required under paragraph (3);
11            (D) pay for both the costs associated with the
12        installation of and the electricity usage associated
13        with the electric vehicle charging station; and
14            (E) be responsible for damage to the common
15        elements or common areas or other units resulting from
16        the installation, use, and removal of the electric
17        vehicle charging station.
18        (2) The unit owner, and each successive unit owner of
19    the electric vehicle charging station, is responsible for:
20            (A) costs for damage to the electric vehicle
21        charging station, common area, exclusive use common
22        area, or separate interests resulting from the
23        installation, maintenance, repair, removal, or
24        replacement of the electric vehicle charging station;
25            (B) costs for the maintenance, repair, and
26        replacement of the electric vehicle charging station

 

 

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1        until it has been removed, and for the restoration of
2        the common area after removal;
3            (C) costs of electricity associated with the
4        charging station, which shall be based on:
5                (i) a submetering device; or
6                (ii) a reasonable calculation of cost, based
7            on the average miles driven, efficiency of the
8            electric vehicle calculated by the United States
9            Environmental Protection Agency, and the cost of
10            electricity for the common area; and
11            (D) disclosing to a prospective buyer the
12        existence of any electric vehicle charging station of
13        the unit owner and the related responsibilities of the
14        unit owner under this Section.
15        (3) The purpose of the costs under paragraph (2) is
16    for the reasonable reimbursement of electricity usage and
17    shall not be set to deliberately exceed the reasonable
18    reimbursement.
19        (4) The unit owner of the electric vehicle charging
20    station, whether the electric vehicle charging station is
21    located within the common area or exclusive use common
22    area, shall, at all times, maintain a liability coverage
23    policy. The unit owner that submitted the application to
24    install the electric vehicle charging station shall
25    provide the association with the corresponding certificate
26    of insurance within 14 days after approval of the

 

 

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1    application. The unit owner, and each successive unit
2    owner, shall provide the association with the certificate
3    of insurance annually thereafter.
4        (5) A unit owner is not required to maintain a
5    homeowner liability coverage policy for an existing
6    National Electrical Manufacturers Association standard
7    alternating current power plug.
8    (f) Except as provided in subsection (g), the installation
9of an electric vehicle charging station for the exclusive use
10of a unit owner in a common area that is not an exclusive use
11common area may be authorized by the association, subject to
12applicable law, only if installation in the unit owner's
13designated parking space is impossible or unreasonably
14expensive. In such an event, the association shall enter into
15a license agreement with the unit owner for the use of the
16space in a common area, and the unit owner shall comply with
17all of the requirements in subsection (e).
18    (g) An association may install an electric vehicle
19charging station in the common area for the use of all unit
20owners and members of the association. The association shall
21develop appropriate terms of use for the electric vehicle
22charging station.
23    (h) An association that willfully violates this Section
24shall be liable to the unit owner for actual damages and shall
25pay a civil penalty to the unit owner not to exceed $1,000.
26    (i) In any action by a unit owner requesting to have an

 

 

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1electric vehicle charging station installed and seeking to
2enforce compliance with this Section, the court shall award
3reasonable attorney's fees to a prevailing plaintiff.
 
4    Section 35. Electric vehicle charging system policy for
5renters.
6    (a) Notwithstanding any provision in the lease to the
7contrary and subject to subsection (b):
8        (1) a tenant may install, at the tenant's expense for
9    the tenant's own use, a level 1 or level 2 electric vehicle
10    charging system on or in the leased premises;
11        (2) a landlord shall not assess or charge a tenant any
12    fee for the placement or use of an electric vehicle
13    charging system, except that:
14            (A) the landlord may:
15                (i) require reimbursement for the actual cost
16            of electricity provided by the landlord that was
17            used by the electric vehicle charging system; or
18                (ii) charge a reasonable fee for access. If
19            the electric vehicle charging system is part of a
20            network for which a network fee is charged, the
21            landlord's reimbursement may include the amount of
22            the network fee. Nothing in this subparagraph
23            requires a landlord to impose upon a tenant a fee
24            or charge other than the rental payments specified
25            in the lease;

 

 

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1            (B) the landlord may require reimbursement for the
2        cost of the installation of the electric vehicle
3        charging system, including any additions or upgrades
4        to existing wiring directly attributable to the
5        requirements of the electric vehicle charging system,
6        if the landlord places or causes the electric vehicle
7        charging system to be placed at the request of the
8        tenant; and
9            (C) if the tenant desires to place an electric
10        vehicle charging system in an area accessible to other
11        tenants, the landlord may assess or charge the tenant
12        a reasonable fee to reserve a specific parking space
13        in which to install the electric vehicle charging
14        system.
15    (b) A landlord may require a tenant to comply with:
16        (1) bona fide safety requirements consistent with an
17    applicable building code or recognized safety standard for
18    the protection of persons and property;
19        (2) a requirement that the electric vehicle charging
20    system be registered with the landlord within 30 days
21    after installation; or
22        (3) reasonable aesthetic provisions that govern the
23    dimensions, placement, or external appearance of an
24    electric vehicle charging system.
25    (c) A tenant may place an electric vehicle charging system
26in an area accessible to other tenants if:

 

 

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1        (1) the electric vehicle charging system is in
2    compliance with all applicable requirements adopted by a
3    landlord under subsection (b); and
4        (2) the tenant agrees, in writing, to:
5            (A) comply with the landlord's design
6        specifications for the installation of an electric
7        vehicle charging system;
8            (B) engage the services of a duly licensed and
9        registered electrical contractor familiar with the
10        installation and code requirements of an electric
11        vehicle charging system; and
12            (C) provide, within 14 days after receiving the
13        landlord's consent for the installation, a certificate
14        of insurance naming the landlord as an additional
15        insured party on the tenant's renter's insurance
16        policy for any claim related to the installation,
17        maintenance, or use of the electric vehicle charging
18        system or, at the landlord's option, reimbursement to
19        the landlord for the actual cost of any increased
20        insurance premium amount attributable to the electric
21        vehicle charging system, notwithstanding any provision
22        to the contrary in the lease. The tenant shall provide
23        reimbursement for an increased insurance premium
24        amount within 14 days after the tenant receives the
25        landlord's invoice for the amount attributable to the
26        electric vehicle charging system.

 

 

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1    (d) If the landlord consents to a tenant's installation of
2an electric vehicle charging system on property accessible to
3other tenants, including a parking space, carport, or garage
4stall, then, unless otherwise specified in a written agreement
5with the landlord:
6        (1) The tenant, and each successive tenant with
7    exclusive rights to the area where the electric vehicle
8    charging system is installed, is responsible for costs for
9    damages to the electric vehicle charging system and to any
10    other property of the landlord or another tenant resulting
11    from the installation, maintenance, repair, removal, or
12    replacement of the electric vehicle charging system.
13            (A) Costs under this paragraph shall be based on:
14                (i) an inexpensive submetering device; or
15                (ii) a reasonable calculation of cost, based
16            on the average miles driven, efficiency of the
17            electric vehicle calculated by the United States
18            Environmental Protection Agency, and the cost of
19            electricity for the common area.
20            (B) The purpose of the costs under this paragraph
21        is for reasonable reimbursement of electricity usage
22        and shall not be set to deliberately exceed that
23        reasonable reimbursement.
24        (2) Each successive tenant with exclusive rights to
25    the area where the electric vehicle charging system is
26    installed shall assume responsibility for the repair,

 

 

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1    maintenance, removal, and replacement of the electric
2    vehicle charging system until the electric vehicle
3    charging system is removed.
4        (3) The tenant, and each successive tenant with
5    exclusive rights to the area where the electric vehicle
6    charging system is installed, shall, at all times, have
7    and maintain an insurance policy covering the obligations
8    of the tenant under this subsection and shall name the
9    landlord as an additional insured party under the policy.
10        (4) The tenant, and each successive tenant with
11    exclusive rights to the area where the electric vehicle
12    charging system is installed, is responsible for removing
13    the system if reasonably necessary or convenient for the
14    repair, maintenance, or replacement of any property of the
15    landlord, whether or not leased to another tenant.
16    (e) An electric vehicle charging system installed at the
17tenant's cost is the property of the tenant. Upon termination
18of the lease, if the electric vehicle charging system is
19removable, the tenant may either remove it or sell it to the
20landlord or another tenant for an agreed price. Nothing in
21this subsection requires the landlord or another tenant to
22purchase the electric vehicle charging system.
23    (f) A landlord that willfully violates this Section shall
24be liable to the tenant for actual damages, and shall pay a
25civil penalty to the tenant in an amount not to exceed $1,000.
26    (g) In any action by a tenant requesting to have an

 

 

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1electric vehicle charging system installed and seeking to
2enforce compliance with this Section, the court shall award
3reasonable attorney's fees to a prevailing plaintiff.
4    (h) A tenant whose landlord is an owner in an association
5and who desires to install an electric vehicle charging
6station must obtain approval to do so through the tenant's
7landlord or owner and in accordance with those provisions of
8this Act applicable to associations.