Charged EVs | Federal Highway Administration requests comments on incorporating Tesla’s NACS connector into federal requirements

The Federal Freeway Administration (FHWA) has introduced a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit suggestions from stakeholders on updating FHWA’s minimal requirements and necessities for EV charging stations to permit for brand new expertise and continued innovation.

The RFI focuses on the sorts of connectors used at federally funded EV chargers. Present necessities enable for different sorts of connectors as long as there’s additionally a CCS connector. Nevertheless, now that SAE has standardized Tesla’s NACS connector, extra automakers and EVSE producers are anticipated to undertake this connector (which SAE calls J3400). The RFI will assist FHWA determine how finest to include the brand new connector into its requirements and necessities for federally funded EV charging stations.

FHWA is looking for data in a number of key areas:

1. Expectations relating to market availability for J3400 in EVs and chargers
2. Technical compatibility of J3400 with present laws
3. Concerns relating to challenges and advantages of the implementation of J3400 at charging stations
4. Market calls for for the continued availability of CCS and J1772 connectors
5. Choices for performance-based requirements that may scale back the necessity for future regulatory updates or adjustments as expertise evolves.

“As EV charging expertise continues to quickly evolve, we need to guarantee our federal requirements for EV charging preserve tempo with personal sector innovation, adapt to a rapidly evolving business, and meet the wants of EV drivers,” stated FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “This RFI will assist us collect necessary suggestions from our federal, state, native and personal companions to tell potential updates to our federal requirements with these objectives in thoughts.”

Comments should be acquired on or earlier than April 5, 2024.

Supply: Federal Highway Administration