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Council postpones EV charging safety ordinance for further review with L&I and councilors
Summary
Council postponed ordinance 1149, which would add remote-disconnect (e-stop) requirements for electric vehicle charging stations, after questions about overlap with the National Electrical Code and enforcement from Labor & Industries; staff and fire officials will return with clarifications at a September study session.
Council postponed consideration of ordinance 1149, which would add a chapter on electric vehicle charging stations and require a remote disconnect (an e-stop) to protect emergency responders.
A city staff presenter described the safety rationale: there have been instances of EVs catching fire while charging and a clearly labeled remote disconnect, positioned 20–40 feet from a charger, would help responders “kill the power supply” and reduce risk of thermal runaway. The presenter said the ordinance was drafted in coordination with an assistant fire marshal and had been discussed with Labor & Industries (L&I).
Councilor Johnstone and others questioned whether the National Electrical Code (NEC) already provides needed protections and whether the proposed device is technically a remote disconnect or a different device (an e-stop). Johnstone noted Washington implements the NEC and the 2023 and forthcoming 2026 editions provide additional detail; staff said they had consulted L&I and that L&I “fully support it.”
Given these outstanding technical and enforcement questions, Councilor Johnstone moved to postpone the ordinance until a September study session so staff can meet with councilors and L&I to refine the language. The motion to postpone passed by voice vote.
Staff and councilors agreed to follow up so the ordinance can be revised with clearer references to NEC requirements and enforcement responsibilities.
