Bollards for EV Charging Stations
EV charging build-out across Oregon under the state's Climate Protection Program has accelerated rapidly. Each Level 2 cabinet runs $5,000 to $15,000 installed; each Level 3 (DC fast) cabinet runs $30,000 to $80,000 installed. Pedal-misapplication strikes against these cabinets are a documented insurance and warranty issue, and most major charger manufacturers now require physical vehicle-strike protection as a condition of warranty and utility interconnection. This page lays out the design logic, the manufacturer requirements, and the install patterns Cojo uses across Oregon EV charging deployments.
Quick Answer: What Specifies an EV Charger Bollard?
An EV charger bollard is a vehicle-impact post installed behind or alongside a charging cabinet to prevent pedal-misapplication strikes from damaging $30,000 to $80,000 equipment. Standard specifications use 6-inch concrete-filled steel pipe, 36-inch height above grade, set in 36-inch embedment, paired (one each side of the cabinet on the parking-stall side). Most major charger manufacturers (ChargePoint, EVgo, Tesla, ABB) require this protection as a warranty and utility interconnection condition.
Why Are EV Charger Bollards Specified?
Three drivers run through almost every charger install:
- Manufacturer warranty requirement. Most major charger manufacturers specify physical vehicle-strike protection as a warranty condition. ChargePoint, EVgo, Tesla, and ABB all publish installation guides that mandate bollards at parking-stall-facing cabinet sides (U.S. DOE Joint Office on EV Infrastructure).
- Utility interconnection. Many utility interconnection agreements (PGE, Pacific Power) require physical equipment protection as a condition of energizing the cabinet.
- Insurance and damage. A pickup-truck strike on a Level 3 cabinet runs $30,000 to $80,000 in equipment damage plus 4 to 12 weeks of downtime. A pair of bollards runs $900 to $2,400 installed.
What Code References Govern EV Charger Bollards?
| Code or standard | Section | Relevant content |
|---|---|---|
| NEC 625 | Full | Electric vehicle charging equipment installation |
| NACS / CCS connector standards | -- | Connector geometry that affects cabinet placement and bollard offset |
| Oregon Climate Protection Program | -- | Drives state-funded EV charger deployment (Oregon DEQ Climate Protection) |
| ADA Standards | 308, 309 | Reach ranges and operable parts at accessible chargers |
| Manufacturer install guides | Varies | Bollard placement and spec per cabinet model |
How Are EV Charger Bollards Mounted?
Most EV charger installs use a paired-bollard pattern: one bollard each side of the cabinet on the parking-stall side, set at the cabinet width plus 6 inches each side. This blocks vehicle approach to the cabinet face while leaving connector access open. Variations:
- Front-pair only -- standard for cabinets set against a building wall.
- Front-pair plus side bollards -- for cabinets with exposed sides.
- Rear-stall bollard -- for pull-through stalls where vehicles can approach from both sides.
Standard spec is 6-inch concrete-filled steel pipe at 36-inch embedment. Lighter Level 2 chargers can use 4-inch steel pipe at 30-inch embedment; Level 3 (DC fast) cabinets typically require the 6-inch spec.
What Did Cojo's Last EV Charger Install Look Like?
In January 2026 we installed 8 bollards at a 4-cabinet Level 3 charging deployment at a 14,000 square foot Beaverton retail center near Cedar Hills Boulevard. Each cabinet received a paired-bollard install (2 bollards per cabinet, set behind the cabinet on the parking-stall side). Spec: 6-inch concrete-filled steel pipe, Schedule 40, 36 inches above grade, 36-inch embedment with epoxy-coated rebar cage. Bollards were finished in the property owner's specified dark gray powder-coat with white retroreflective banding at the top 6 inches. Field time: 1.5 days, 2-person crew. The job was coordinated with the charger installation contractor and the local PGE interconnection inspection. See our Bollards in Beaverton page for the full city-level context.
How Much Do EV Charger Bollards Cost?
Industry Baseline Range
| Configuration | Installed Price |
|---|---|
| Paired bollards per Level 2 cabinet | $700 to $1,800 |
| Paired bollards per Level 3 (DC fast) cabinet | $900 to $2,400 |
| Front pair plus side bollards per Level 3 cabinet | $1,400 to $3,800 |
| Crash-rated F3016 paired (high-traffic locations) | $2,400 to $5,000 |
Current Market Reality
EV charger bollard pricing in 2026 tracks regional baselines closely. Three notes: most utility-funded charger deployments under the Oregon Climate Protection Program include bollard cost in the project budget; lead times pair with the charger cabinet's lead time (typically 6 to 12 weeks for Level 3 cabinets); and powder-coat finishing for property-color match adds 1 to 2 weeks for color-match approval. See our bollard installation cost reference for full line-item breakdowns.
What Are the Design Considerations?
- Connector reach. NACS and CCS connectors have specific reach geometries from the cabinet face. Bollards must not obstruct the cable from reaching all four corners of the parking stall.
- Cabinet ventilation. Level 3 cabinets need airflow around the unit. Bollard placement must preserve ventilation clearance per the manufacturer's install guide.
- Pedestrian path. Walk-up access to the cabinet (for screen interaction, payment, connector handling) needs ADA-compliant clearance per Section 308 reach ranges and Section 309 operable-parts requirements (ADA Standards).
- Snow and salt. EV charger sites in higher elevations or coastal Oregon need galvanized steel under powder coat for corrosion resistance.
- Stall striping coordination. EV stalls usually have dedicated striping (green border, "EV ONLY" lettering). Bollards must align with the striped boundary. See commercial striping in Beaverton for that scope.
Which Charger Sites Need Crash-Rated Bollards?
Most EV charger deployments use non-rated 6-inch concrete-filled steel pipe. Crash-rated F3016 (10 mph or 20 mph) is appropriate when:
- The charger site fronts a public street with 30 mph or higher posted speeds.
- The site has a documented prior strike at any cabinet.
- Insurance underwriter or utility interconnection specifies crash-rated.
- The cabinet is at a high-volume retail or QSR site with heavy approach traffic.
For low-traffic municipal and workplace charger sites, non-rated bollards at proper embedment provide adequate protection.
Get an EV Charger Bollard Quote
Cojo installs EV-charger protection bollards across Oregon, coordinating with the charger-install contractor and the utility-interconnection inspector. Every quote includes manufacturer install-guide review and ADA-accessibility verification. Contact Cojo for a site walk; we usually combine charger-bollard work with broader parking lot services, and our how to install bollards write-up has the technical detail.