Proposal:Charging Stations v2

Charging Stations v2
Proposal status:	Draft (under way)
Proposed by:	GA Kevin
Tagging:	amenity=charging_station, man_made=charge_point Data item
Applies to:
Definition:	2025 update to amenity=charging_station and it's elements.
Statistics:
Draft started:	2025-03-21

Background

amenity=charging_station has been around since 2015 and aims to give OSM contributors a way to represent charging stations and their associated (optional) elements and restrictions. Previous discussions in 2023 surrounding stations vs charge points led to a rough consensus surrounding the amenity=charging_station and man_made=charge_point. The main opposition to this proposal was the existing data and data consumers use of this tag was on an individual node and would now be associated with nodes or areas, consisting of many (sometimes implied) energy dispensers.

Proposal

This proposal aims to address the need for clear, consistent charging station tagging as the rise of Electric Vehicles (EVs) continues and with it the rise of charging infrastructure (such as Tesla's Supercharger network.) This proposal aims to align current nomenclature and address current technologies (as of 2025) while remaining flexible so future innovations can be added without needing significantly new tagging. Where possible, this proposal will take inspiration from amenity=fuel which is the well-established counterpart for use by Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles along with tagging surrounding utilities and camping (RV) hookups. As charging infrastructure can be as small as a single man_made=charge_point ( 11905340363 11905340363 ) or very large and complex (InstaVolt Superhub in the UK) this proposal will aim to make clear what elements and tags should be used at what level of mapping and size of station.

Tagging

Single Charging Points

Unlike man_made=fuel_pump, man_made=charge_points can be installed in a number of different places and do not require being a part of a charging station.

A note to data consumers: Please assume ref=* is matched to both the charge point and it's parking space. Also, assume a charging station has the sum of all charge point information for the charge points within the station (i.e. if a station has 3 charge points, each with a capacity=2, assume the amenity=charging_station has a capacity=6.)

Single Charge Point Chargers

Icon	Required Tagging	Suggested Tags	Image
	man_made=charge_point amenity=parking_space parking_space=charging	ref=* capacity=* operator=* covered=* restriction=charging_only maxstay=* maxheight=* charge_point:connector=* charge_point:output=* charge_point:transmission=* network=* brand=* electricity=* colour=* support=* fee=*

Basic Charging Station

When several man_made=charge_points exist at a single area, we use amenity=charging_station to refer to the cluster (or charging pool) as a whole. This area will likely be within a landuse=* so should only encompass the area the man_made=charge_point and amenity=parking_space take up. Please see the large charging stations section for coverage of non-connected amenity=charging_stations in the same landuse=*. Charging stations are made up of several man_made=charge_points and each should be tagged in addition to the station as a whole. As such, place tags such as charge_point:connector=*, charge_point:output=*, and charge_point:transmission=* on their man_made=charge_point not on the amenity=charging_station.

Basic Charging Station

Icon	Required Tagging	Suggested Tags	Image
	amenity=charging_station	name=* capacity=* operator=* network=* brand=* opening_hours=* electricity=* addr:*=*

Complex Charging Hubs

When several amenity=charging_stations exist within a common landuse=*, a type=site + site=charging_station may be used. Each brand has it's own name for these sites, such as the Rivian Outpost, Telsa "Mega" Superchargers, Water's Exhibition Halls, and the Porsche Charging Lounge. These large charging stations often feature fast charge_point:output=* while also housing amenties such as amenity=toilets, amenity=lounge (with food=yes), and internet_access=* for visitors. These are unique to typical charging stations as a manufacturer of the station or group of manufacturers are the operator, instead of chargers being placed adjacent to other amenities. As such, the amenity=charging_station should encompass the entirety of each non-connected charging station excluding the building=retail.

Complex Charging Hub

Icon	Required Tagging	Suggested Tags	Image
	type=site site=charging_station amenity=charging_station building=retail member	name=* operator=* electricity=* addr:*=*

Comments

Please comment on the discussion page.