U.S. Government Seeks Input on Tesla's NACS Impact on EV Charging Standards
The U.S. government is seeking input on the impact of Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS) on its electric vehicle (EV) charging standards. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has published a request for information (RFI) to gather data on the NACS' technical compatibility, challenges, and future demand for connectors. The shift to NACS may pose challenges and potentially make the FHWA's rules, finalized in February 2023, obsolete.
SAE International created industry standards for Tesla's NACS in June 2022, leading most major automakers to adopt it for their EVs. The NEVI Formula Program, which funds EV charging infrastructure, requires public charging stations to have at least one permanent CCS Type 1 connector to ensure compatibility with CCS-equipped vehicles. However, the FHWA's regulations allow states to use NEVI Formula Program funds to install EV charging stations with non-CCS connectors. The switch to NACS could potentially spur greater EV adoption in the U.S. by improving the public charging experience, which has been declining according to J.D. Power.
The U.S. government has been tracking the development of a performance-based standard system for electric vehicle charging stations since April 5, 2023. This system aims to overcome challenges in implementing the NACS by ensuring interoperability, reliability, and efficient user experience at charging stations. A performance-based standard would specify the level of service and vehicle types an EV charging station would need to support but would not require specific connectors. The FHWA wants to explore the possibility of adopting performance-based standards to accommodate evolving technology in EV charging.
Comments on the RFI are due by April 5, 2023. The shift to NACS may present unforeseen challenges, but it could also potentially improve the public charging experience and spur greater EV adoption in the U.S. The U.S. government is actively seeking input to ensure the smooth implementation of NACS and the future of EV charging infrastructure.
