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The Joint Office is cruising into the last month of 2024 with fresh news, webinars, and resources. Get to know another member of our team and learn how we’re supporting Rhode Island’s efforts to build out electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Dive in for all this and more! ⚡️
 Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming Joint Office Webinars
 📅 1:30–2:30 p.m. ET, Dec. 10
Hear from Executive Director Gabe Klein and our team of experts, who will share a behind the scenes look at how we’re advancing charging infrastructure, grid modernization, cybersecurity, community and urban charging, and more.
Join this webinar to learn about:
- Advancements in standards and digital infrastructure so cars and chargers are speaking the same language—and consumers get a more seamless experience.
- Trends and best practices from public charging station roll-outs nationwide.
- The latest on curbside charging and multi-modal approaches to improving e-mobility access in communities.
 📅 2 p.m. ET, Dec. 17
Since multiple automakers announced the intent to move to the North American Charging Standard in 2023, a lot has happened. It's time to catch up. Learn how the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation worked with industry to guide the standardization of NACS as SAE J3400, the current state of compatible charger deployment, which 2025 model year vehicles are expected to use the J3400 connector, and more.
Attend to learn more about:
- Where the J3400 standard is currently
- What to expect from J3400 in 2025
- Lessons from the SAE J3400 standardization process.
Joint Office Headlines
Secure communication between cars and chargers is important and makes it possible to simply plug in and charge—and eventually power homes. A new security framework from SAE called EVPKI creates a common secure platform to let vehicles, chargers, and charging networks communicate clearly, unlocking true interoperability across the entire charging ecosystem for the first time.
Since the last quarterly progress update, an additional 12,000 public charging ports have come online, for a total of nearly 204,000 ports in our national charging network—double the number of public chargers since the end of 2020, opening up new roads to EV drivers. You can track progress by checking out our interactive chart, showcasing EV charging infrastructure growth.
 Photo from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
As of the end of October 2024, a total of 1,269,949 plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) have been sold this year so far. EV sales this year continue to outperform last year’s EV sales as well as overall light-duty sales growth. New EV models are helping drive sales, and existing models are gaining access to more charging as an additional 5,086 public charging ports came online in October.
 EV sales data from Argonne National Lab as of Oct. 2024.
Other News
Climate Strategies that Work Playbook Launch
The USDOT Climate Strategies that Work Playbook is a comprehensive resource to guide cities, regions, industry leaders, philanthropic strategists, and transportation professionals at every level in implementing the most effective strategies for reducing transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more about the playbook in the launch webinar on Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. ET.
Register here
Distribution Transformer Demand: Understanding Demand Segmentation, Drivers, and Management Through 2050
The Office of Electricity (OE) recently released a new report focusing on distribution transformers in the electrical power grid. The report, prepared for OE by researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, looks at the number of U.S. distribution transformer units, the number and capacity of the assets, the units’ current age profile, and how demand for distribution transformers might increase in the coming years. Researchers found that three things are driving demand for distribution transformers—how many fail and require replacement, how many reach their end-of-life, and how the increasing number of new customers are driving demand on an annual basis.
In Case You Missed It 📣
Weren’t able to join the final Electric School Bus Familiarization: Charging Overview webinar? Watch the recording on our site!
Video Series
Get to know Joann, an analyst at Argonne National Lab who was on assignment with the Joint Office.
State Department of Transportation Highlights
The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources recently shared what it’s been like working with the Joint Office to advance their NEVI program to Phase 2. Watch the video to hear about their experiences!
New Resources
The National Charging Experience Consortium (ChargeX Consortium) developed a document that details the journey taken in developing the ChargeX prescribed testing program at CharIn Testival to give insight to those interested in implementing their own version of prescribed testing in the future.
Resource Spotlight
Battery-Buffered Solutions for EV Charging Stations
Battery Energy storage systems offer solutions to support EV charging infrastructure where grid capacity is limited. Learn more:
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Funding Opportunities
Artificial Intelligence for Interconnection (AI4IX) program
The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy, has announced up to $30 million to accelerate the interconnection process for new energy generation through the introduction of artificial intelligence techniques. The new Artificial Intelligence for Interconnection (AI4IX) program will develop partnerships between software developers, grid operators [including Regional Transmission Operators and Power Marketing Administrations], and energy project developers to modernize the interconnection application process and significantly reduce the time required to review, approve, and commission new generation interconnections across the country.
Applications for the first round of AI4IX funding are due by Jan. 10, 2025, by 1 pm ET. An informational webinar and objective strategy session will be held on Dec. 5, 2024, at 2 p.m. ET.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the opening of the 2024 CSB Rebate Program application period! Under the 2024 program, the EPA anticipates awarding up to $965 million in rebate funding.
The CSB Program prioritizes applications that will replace buses serving high-need local education agencies, rural areas, Tribal school districts funded by the Bureau of Indian Education, and public school districts receiving basic support payments for students living on Tribal land. The program guidance and application process differ from prior EPA school bus rebate programs, so please review the summary of program requirements and the detailed Program Guide before proceeding.
Application deadline: Jan. 9, 2025
Join Us: Upcoming Events
See all upcoming events at driveelectric.gov/events.
TRB Annual Meeting Jan. 7, 2025, Washington, D.C. Join Kevin Miller for a session that will highlight existing programs and policies that are supporting the transition to zero-emission freight, and be on the lookout for other Joint Office staffers at the event.
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