A. “Battery charging station” means an electrical component assembly or cluster of component assemblies designed specifically to charge batteries within electric vehicles, which meet or exceed any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by Chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.

B. “BEV” means a battery electric vehicle. A battery electric vehicle, or BEV, is a type of electric vehicle (EV) that uses chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs. As with other electric vehicles, BEVs use electric motors and motor controllers instead of internal combustion engines (ICEs) for propulsion. Sometimes, all-electric vehicles are referred to as BEVs (although a plug-in hybrid vehicle is also a battery electric vehicle).

C. “Battery exchange station” means a fully automated facility that will enable an electric vehicle with a swappable battery to enter a drive lane and exchange the depleted battery with a fully charged battery through a fully automated process, which meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by Chapter 19.27 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.

D. “Charging levels” means the electrical force, or voltage, at which an electric vehicle’s battery is recharged. Levels 1, 2, and 3 are the most common EV charging levels, and include the following specifications:

E. “Electric vehicle” means any vehicle that operates, either partially or exclusively, on electrical energy from the grid, or an off-board source, that is stored on-board for motive purpose. “Electric vehicle” includes: (1) a battery electric vehicle; (2) a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle; (3) a neighborhood electric vehicle; (4) medium-speed electric vehicle; and (5) electric motorcycles.

F. “Electric vehicle charging station” means a public or private parking space located together with a battery charging station which permits the transfer of electric energy (by conductive or inductive means) to a battery or other storage device in an electric vehicle. An electric vehicle charging station is permitted as an accessory use to any principal use.

G. “Electric vehicle infrastructure” means structures, machinery, and equipment necessary and integral to support an electric vehicle, including battery charging stations, rapid charging stations, and battery exchange stations.

H. “Electric vehicle parking space” means any marked parking space that identifies the use to be exclusively for an electric vehicle.

I. “Fast charging station” means an industrial grade electrical outlet that allows for faster recharging of electric vehicle batteries through higher power levels, which meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by Chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.

J. “NEV” means a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle. This is an electric vehicle that is capable of traveling at a maximum speed of 25 mph. They come with safety features like headlights, turn signals and seat belts. They may also be referred to as Low Speed Vehicles or LSVs.

K. “Non-Electric Vehicle” means any motor vehicle that does not meet the definition of “electric vehicle.”

L. “PHEV” is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, also known as a plug-in hybrid. It is a hybrid vehicle with rechargeable batteries that can be restored to full charge by connecting a plug to an external electric power source. A PHEV shares the characteristics of both a conventional hybrid electric vehicle, having an electric motor and an internal combustion engine; and of an all-electric vehicle, also having a plug to connect to the electrical grid. Most PHEVs on the road today are passenger cars, but there are also PHEV versions of commercial vehicles and vans, utility trucks, buses, trains, motorcycles, scooters, and military vehicles.