Coppell staff removes local EV-charger amendments after state bill limits municipal changes

Schubert told the commission that he proposed an amendment addressing EV-charger locations and vehicle-impact protection after seeing damage inside garages, but said state law requires removing that local language. "Senate bill 12 52. Municipalities cannot make amendments to this section of the national electoral code," he said, explaining manufacturers and industry advocates successfully pushed the change at the state level.

He added the bill limits municipal authority for sections that cover electric-vehicle chargers, photovoltaic systems and some backup power installations; staff therefore removed local amendments in those areas from the ordinance package the commission considered. Commissioners asked whether the restriction would affect non-vehicle batteries or plug-and-play solar devices; Schubert said the state framework covers backup power and batteries and that plug-and-play appliances remain regulated by listing requirements (availability from a nationally recognized testing laboratory) rather than by local amendment.

Because the state preemption restricts municipal amendments in those NEC sections, the commission’s recommendation to council reflects the removal of the local EV-charger amendment and leaves the substantive NEC language to state and national standards.