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

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit feedback from stakeholders on updating FHWA’s minimum standards and requirements for 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 requirements allow for alternative types of connectors so long as there is also a CCS connector. However, now that SAE has standardized Tesla’s NACS connector, more automakers and EVSE manufacturers are expected to adopt this connector (which SAE calls J3400). The RFI will help FHWA decide how best to incorporate the new connector into its standards and requirements for federally funded EV charging stations.

FHWA is seeking information in several key areas:

1. Expectations regarding market availability for J3400 in EVs and 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 CCS and J1772 connectors
5. Options for performance-based standards that can reduce the need for future regulatory updates or changes as technology evolves.

“As EV charging technology continues to rapidly evolve, we want to ensure our federal standards for EV charging keep pace with private sector innovation, adapt to a quickly evolving industry, and meet the needs of EV drivers,” said FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “This RFI will help us gather important feedback from our federal, state, local and private partners to inform potential updates to our federal standards with those goals in mind.”

Comments must be received on or before April 5, 2024.

Source: Federal Highway Administration

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