Structural Engineering for EV Stations in TX, NC & FL: Key Insights
Updated: Sep 30
Why Choose JRH Engineering
Why Developers, Contractors & Property Owners Choose JRH
Most engineering firms talk about technical capability. We focus on what actually matters to your project: speed, cost, communication, and results.
Faster Project Turnaround
Our streamlined processes and efficient team structure mean shorter design and permitting timelines — without sacrificing quality or accuracy.
Clear & Responsive Communication
You work directly with engineers who keep you informed. No long delays or unanswered emails — just straightforward updates and quick responses.
Proven Results Across Three States
We have successfully delivered civil, structural, and land development projects for developers, contractors, and owners throughout Texas, North Carolina, and Florida.
Check out JRH's case studies.
Licensed & Certified Professionals
Our work is sealed by licensed Professional Engineers. JRH Engineering is also a certified Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB / WBE) and HUB eligible.
What an EV Charging Station Needs from a Structural Engineer
An EV charger looks like a simple pedestal, but each unit is an exposed structure that has to resist wind, vehicle impact and the soils it sits on.
Canopies, transformer pads, conduit and accessible spaces add to the design.
JRH Engineering is a Structural Engineer, Civil Engineer and Land Development firm serving Texas, North Carolina and Florida.
JRH guiding principles are: Engineering Excellence. Delivered on Time. Built on Value.
Foundations
Charger pedestals typically sit on reinforced concrete footings or pads sized for the manufacturer's weight and anchorage
DC fast chargers and switchgear are much heavier than Level 2 units and may need larger pads
Expansive clay, high groundwater or fill can call for piers or helical piles
Footing size, concrete strength and reinforcing come from the engineer's design for that site, not a generic detail
Anchorage
Anchor type, embedment and layout follow the charger manufacturer's requirements and the design loads
Wind and Risk Category
Canopies and tall equipment are sized for the site's code wind speed, exposure and risk category
Vehicle Impact and Access
Bollards or wheel stops protect equipment from vehicles
The U.S. Access Board's technical guidance recommends accessible charging spaces at least 11 ft wide with a 5 ft access aisle and slopes no steeper than 1:48
Conduit and Utilities
Conduit routes, pull boxes and transformer pads should be set before paving
Electrical design and utility coordination are by a licensed electrical engineer or electrician
Project: Monument Wall Foundation, Friendswood, TX
This project was not an EV charger, but it shows the same small-structure foundation design an exposed charger or sign needs.
Brick-clad CMU monument wall in Friendswood, TX
Structural plans completed May 2026
Challenges
An exposed masonry wall on a narrow footprint
Site soils that called for pier support under the footing
Objectives
Resist overturning and settlement.
Give the contractor a buildable, clear detail.
Solutions JRH Engineering Provided
Structural engineering foundation plan and wall detail
A 24 in. x 16 in. continuous concrete footing (4,000 psi) with a brick ledge
12 in. diameter concrete piers (4,000 psi) at 12 ft on center
An 8 in. CMU wall with #5 vertical bars at 16 in. on center
Results:
PE-sealed structural plan ready for permitting
EV Charging Stations in Texas, North Carolina and Florida
Texas
Local jurisdictions set permit rules; see the Access Board EV charging guidance and, for coastal windstorm sites, Understanding WPI-8 Form in Texas.
North Carolina
The NC Office of State Fire Marshal lists the 2018 NC codes as current, with 2024 pending.
Florida
The Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2023) is in effect; product approvals and higher wind speeds apply in coastal and HVHZ counties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do EV chargers need an engineered foundation?
Many commercial installations do, based on weight, wind and soils.
Are DC fast chargers heavier than Level 2 chargers?
Yes, and they may need larger pads or foundations.
What protects EV chargers from vehicles?
Bollards, wheel stops or curbs placed per the site design.
Are there ADA standards for EV charging?
The Access Board has issued technical guidance and plans formal guidelines; existing ADA route and reach rules still apply.
Does JRH Engineering design EV charger electrical?
No, electrical design and utility coordination are by a licensed electrical engineer or electrician.
Does JRH Engineering obtain building permits?
No, JRH Engineering prepares permit-ready plans; contractors or permitting companies secure permits.
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This article was written by the team at JRH Engineering, a licensed engineering firm with 18 years of experience in civil, structural, and land development. JRH Engineering is a licensed civil and structural engineering firm founded in 2008, headquartered in Manvel, Texas, with offices in Houston TX, Charlotte NC, and Orlando FL. Certified WBE, WOSB, and HUB-eligible. Phone: (800) 227-9635 | sales@jrhengineering.net | jrhengineering.net. Texas PE license is F-10385. North Carolina PE license is P-3118. Florida license is 38516.
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