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A new White House Fact Sheet, published earlier this week, highlights some important updates that support collective efforts to build a national charging network. These include:
- A report estimating number, type, and location of electric vehicle (EV) chargers to support EV adoption
- Working to facilitate greater interoperability between EV charging companies
- Improving reliability of existing EV charging infrastructure.
2030 National Charging Network Report Released
This week, the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office) announced a new report by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) which can help guide the development of a national EV charging network.
The report, titled The 2030 National Charging Network: Estimating U.S. Light-Duty Demand for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure, quantifies the estimated number, type, and location of the chargers needed nationwide to support rapidly growing EV adoption.
The study, produced in collaboration with the Joint Office and DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO), assesses charging infrastructure needs for light-duty EVs with an unprecedented level of detail, including by accounting for the effects of local variation in:
- EV adoption
- Climate
- Travel patterns
- Housing
- Charging preferences.
View the 2030 National Charging Network report.
Supporting Greater Interoperability Within the National EV Charging Network
As part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, the Administration set national standards for federally funded EV chargers, including the NEVI-funded chargers, per 23 CFR 680.
The minimum standards set a baseline to ensure the national EV charging network is interoperable between different charging companies, with similar payment systems, pricing information, and charging speeds. This protects the traveling public by ensuring a predictable and reliable EV charging experience. The minimum standards allow flexibility to support industry innovation in this evolving field and to allow states, communities, and their partners to build charging infrastructure that meets local needs.
For example, federally funded fast chargers are required to include Combined Charging System (CCS) connectors, which are used by most automakers today, but may also offer other connector types such as the North American Charging Standard (NACS), developed by Tesla.
The Administration is working to support even greater interoperability within the NEVI Formula Program, tasking experts across the federal government to work closely with states, localities, labor, automakers, charger manufacturers, and standards setting bodies to achieve this goal.
As part of this work, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) announced this week that they will initiate an expedited process to review NACS as a potential public standard. This would open the NACS connector to other suppliers and manufacturers, and has the potential to dramatically increase the size, reliability, and availability of an interoperable charging network supported by industry recognized standards.
Improving Reliability of Existing Charging Infrastructure
The Administration’s approach is driving forward the improved reliability of EV charging infrastructure with these key pillars:
Dedicating Funding for Repair, Replacement, and Upgrades of Existing Charging Infrastructure
Providing funding to repair, replace, and upgrade chargers to improve network performance reliability, performance, and interoperability. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) anticipates making available up to $100 million from the NEVI Formula Program to help states and localities quickly repair, replace, and upgrade broken or unreliable chargers across the country.
Developing a Centralized Data Platform for EV Charger Data Reporting
Measuring and evaluating the charging experience to understand opportunities for continued improvement. The Joint Office is developing the EV-Charging Analytics Reporting Tool (EV-ChART) which is a centralized data platform for EV charger data reporting that will maximize access to data and insights that can enhance future charging reliability.
Review the latest EV-ChART reporting standards guidance.
Identifying Strategies to Significantly Improve the Charging Experience
The Joint Office recently announced the launch of the National Charging Experience Consortium (ChargeX). Over the next two years, ChargeX will identify and pursue opportunities to significantly improve the charging experience. The Consortium has over 30 partners from across the private sector that are focused on delivering near-term improvements in three areas:
- Payment processing and user interface
- Vehicle-charger communication
- Diagnostic data sharing.
Investments Beyond Personal EVs
These investments also span more than just personal EVs. The Administration is investing in medium- and heavy-duty clean energy and electric vehicles.
Earlier this week, the Federal Transit Administration announced nearly $1.7 billion for low- and no-emissions buses and transit projects that will more than double the number of zero-emission transit buses on America’s roadways—manufactured with American parts and labor.
Later this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will announce the next round of awards from the $5 billion Clean School Bus Program to lower emissions and promote safer environments for children to learn and grow.
About the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation
The Joint Office is a collaboration between the U.S. Departments of Energy and Transportation to support the buildout of a nationwide network of electric vehicle chargers, zero-emission fueling infrastructure, and zero-emission transit and school buses. Learn more at DriveElectric.gov.
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