FHWA Announces RFI on Updating Federal Standards for EV Charging
As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s work to build out a convenient, reliable, and made-in-America national network of electric vehicle (EV) chargers, on Wednesday FHWA announced a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit feedback from stakeholders on updating FHWA’s minimum standards and requirements for electric vehicle EV charging stations to allow for new technology and continued innovation. The RFI focuses on the types of connectors used at federally-funded EV chargers. Current federal requirements allow for alternative types of connectors on all federally-funded DC Fast Chargers so long as there is also a Combined Charging System (CCS) connector. However, in December 2019, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International standardized the North American Charging Standard connector as standardization J3400TM, making it possible for any supplier or manufacturer to use, manufacture, and deploy the NACS connector. Many automakers have announced they will adopt this connector standard on vehicles beginning in 2025, with adapters available for current owners as soon as spring 2024. The RFI will help inform how FHWA can best incorporate new technologies and innovations like J3400TM into its minimum standards and requirements for federally funded EV charging stations, continuing to ensure that the national EV charging network serves consumers well now and into the future.
Through the RFI, in coordination with the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation and the Department of Energy, FHWA is seeking information in several key areas: (1) expectations surrounding market availability for J3400 within EVs and EV chargers, (2) technical compatibility of J3400 with existing regulations, (3) considerations regarding challenges and benefits of the implementation of J3400 at charging stations, (4) market demands for the continued availability of Combined Charging System (CCS) and J1772 connectors, and (5) potential options for performance-based standards that can reduce the need for future regulatory updates or changes as technology evolves. Comments must be received on or before April 5, 2024. Instructions for submitting comments can be found in the Federal Register Notice. Federal agencies will seek additional feedback from stakeholders on electrified heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) later this year. Read more about Administration’s work to create a national network of EV chargers here.
Sincerely,
Christine D. Bernat
Associate Director, Standards Facilitation | American National Standards Institute
25 West 43 Street, 4th Floor | New York, NY 10036 U.S.A.
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AGENCY:
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION:
Notice; request for information (RFI).
SUMMARY:
The FHWA issued regulations establishing minimum standards and requirements for certain electric vehicle (EV) chargers. Subsequent to the publication of this final rule, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) published a Technical Information Report for a new connector standard, known as J3400, which multiple automakers have announced an intention to adopt in the coming years. To ensure the effective implementation of programs that are subject to the minimum standards and requirements and to inform a potential update to the minimum standards, FHWA, in coordination with the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, is seeking additional information in five areas: on the expectations surrounding market availability for J3400 within EVs and EV chargers; on the technical compatibility of J3400 with existing regulations and safety considerations; on considerations regarding challenges and benefits of the implementation of J3400 at charging stations; on market demands for the continued availability of Combined Charging System (CCS) and J1772 connectors; and potential options for performance-based standards that can reduce the need for future regulatory updates or changes as technology evolves.
DATES:
Comments must be received on or before April 5, 2024. Late-filed comments will be considered to the extent practicable.