Attachment B - MBTA EVSE Technical Specifications and Standards.docx

ATTACHMENT B: MBTA EVSE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS

1. PURPOSE

This document outlines the mandatory technical requirements for all Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) hardware, software, and communication components provided or retrofitted under this contract. These specifications ensure the MBTA maintains a high-utilization, hardware-agnostic, and future-proof charging network.

2. HARDWARE SPECIFICATIONS (RETROFIT AND REPLACEMENT)

All new or retrofitted charging stations must meet the following minimum physical and electrical standards:

· Charging Level: Minimum Level 2 AC output.

· Power Output: Minimum 7.2 kW (30A) per port at 208/240V AC.

· Connector Standard: SAE J1772 standard connector.

· Cable Management: High-durability, 18-ft minimum must be equipped with an active mechanical retraction system (e.g., spring or weighted tether) that prevents the cable from touching the ground or encroaching on travel lanes when not in use. Manual 'wrap-around' hooks are not acceptable

· Field Replaceability: All new or retrofitted hardware must utilize field-replaceable charging cables. The use of "captive" cables that require a full unit replacement to fix a cut cord is strictly prohibited.

· Enclosure Rating: NEMA 3R or 4X rated for outdoor durability in Massachusetts coastal and winter environments. Minimum NEMA 4X or IP54 for DCFC cabinets and dispensers to protect against the high corrosion.

· Efficiency Standards: All units must comply with the Massachusetts Appliance Energy and Water Efficiency Standards (225 CMR 9.00).

· Safety Certification: Equipment must bear the listing mark of an approved Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).

· Connector Standard: Combined Charging System (CCS1) for both non-revenue fleet and Battery Electric Bus (BEB) compatibility.

· Voltage Support: Hardware must support battery packs from 200V to 1000V DC to ensure compatibility with current and future MBTA bus platforms.

· Serviceability: Units must feature a modular architecture with self-contained, field-swappable Power Modules to ensure partial uptime if a single module fails.

· Concrete Foundation and Anchor Survey: For all DC Fast Charging (DCFC) cabinets and dispensers, the Contractor shall utilize a minimum 4,000 PSI concrete mix with fiber reinforcement for all poured islands. Due to the zero-tolerance requirement for DC conduit alignment, the Contractor must perform a "Pre-Pour Anchor Survey" using manufacturer-provided templates to verify conduit stub-outs and anchor bolt positions before pouring concrete.

· High-Power DC Distribution: All secondary DC cabling between Heliox distribution cabinets and column dispensers must be sunlight-resistant, shielded, and rated for wet locations. The Contractor must ensure a voltage drop of less than 2% across all secondary DC runs as per the Everett electrical riser diagrams.

3. NETWORKING AND COMMUNICATION

To address existing connectivity gaps, the following standards are required:

· Cellular Connectivity: All networked stations must utilize integrated LTE/5G cellular modems.

· Signal Reliability: The Contractor must perform on-site signal testing and install external high-gain antennas where necessary to ensure "Reachable" status in the management portal.

· Fallback Protocol: In the event of a network outage, stations must support offline authorization (via whitelisted RFID) to ensure fleet continuity.

· Central Management System (CMS) Integration: The Contractor is responsible for the labor required to "point" all ChargePoint and Heliox hardware to the MBTA’s designated Central Management System (CMS) endpoint via OCPP 1.6J. Final project acceptance is contingent upon verifying successful "heartbeat" signals, status notifications, and remote start/stop functionality for every port.

· Data Plan Requirements: All cellular connectivity plans provided must include unlimited data or a minimum of 2GB per month per station. This capacity is required to ensure consistent uptime, real-time monitoring, and the ability to perform high-bandwidth Firmware Over-The-Air (FOTA) updates without service interruption or overage charges.

· The Contractor is responsible for all costs associated with data overages if a plan with less than unlimited data is selected.

· The network must prioritize "Critical" firmware updates to maintain security and OCPP compliance.

4. SOFTWARE AND INTEROPERABILITY (HARDWARE AGNOSTICISM)

To prevent vendor lock-in and enable a unified management dashboard, the following protocols are mandatory:

· OCPP Compliance: All EVSE hardware and software must be natively compliant with OCPP 1.6J (JSON) at a minimum.

· Future-Proofing: Preference will be given to hardware that is OCPP 2.0.1 compliant or provides a documented "over-the-air" (FOTA) upgrade path to 2.0.1 without requiring hardware modifications.

· Remote Management: The system must support remote "Start/Stop" commands, remote rebooting, and Firmware Over-the-Air (FOTA) updates.

· Data Transparency: The hardware must support real-time data transfer for energy consumption (kWh), session duration, and port status to a Central Management System (CMS).

5. ACCESSIBILITY AND COMPLIANCE

All installations and retrofits must adhere to the following:

· ADA Standards: Equipment must be accessible to disabled persons and compliant with 521 CMR and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

· Mounting Height: Operable parts (plugs, screens, RFID readers) must be positioned between 15 and 48 inches from the ground.

· Clearance: Installations must allow for a minimum of 36 inches of clearance for wheelchair approach.

· Industrial and Fleet Exceptions: While all EVSE intended for public or administrative use must fully comply with current ADA standards, chargers specifically designated for Battery Electric Bus (BEB) operations are exempt from standard "public use" height requirements where compliance would interfere with overhead cable management or create a safety hazard in an active maintenance yard.

6. METERING AND ACCURACY

· Internal Metering: All stations must include internal revenue-grade meters to track electricity use per session.

· Data Interval: The system must record and report data at intervals sufficient to support MBTA Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reporting requirements.

7. ACCESS CONTROL AND AUTHORIZATION (INTERNAL FLEET)

For EVSE assets designated for internal fleet use, the following technical standards for user authentication and access control shall apply:

· Multi-Protocol RFID Reader: Hardware must be equipped with an integrated RFID reader supporting ISO 14443 Type A & B (e.g., MIFARE, DESFire) and ISO 15693 protocols.

· Credential Compatibility: The RFID reader must be natively capable of reading and authenticating the Authority’s existing internal HID/Wix security credentials.

· Whitelisting & Local Authorization: To ensure fleet operational continuity during network outages, the station must support a "Local Authorization List" (LAL) capable of storing a minimum of 500 unique RFID UIDs locally on the charging unit.

· NFC Support: The hardware must support Near Field Communication (NFC) for mobile-based authentication via digital IDs or mobile wallets.

· Remote Permission Management: The system must allow for the remote addition, removal, and grouping of authorized users via the Central Management System (CMS) without requiring on-site manual configuration.

8. SIGNAGE AND PAVEMENT MARKINGS

To ensure visibility and parking enforcement, the following standards apply to all charging locations:

· Pavement Striping: Each stall must be striped with white thermoplastic paint and include a large white "EV" or "Charging Station" stencil centered in the stall.

· Pavement Markings: All stall striping and symbols must utilize high-durability, slip-resistant thermoplastic material. Cold-applied water-based paint is prohibited for primary stall identification.

· Signage Mounting: The Contractor shall provide and install the necessary mounting infrastructure (e.g., U-channel posts, bollard mounts, or wall-mount brackets) for each charging port. Mounting hardware must be galvanized or powder-coated to resist corrosion.

· Signage Installation (Authority Provided): The Authority will provide the physical regulatory signs (e.g., R7-8 Reserved Parking). The Contractor is responsible for the professional installation of these signs onto the Contractor-provided mounting structures.

· Reflectivity and Compliance: All striping and signage installation must meet MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) standards for visibility and height.

· Standard EV Logo: Where specified in a site-specific SOW, the EV "Plug" symbol shall be a 36" white thermoplastic graphic centered within the stall.