While North America is rapidly advancing in the transition to electric mobility, there are still specific issues that need to be addressed.
To understand the challenges facing the sector, Mobility Portal Europe, during the “Summit of Leaders in Electric Mobility in the USA, Spain, and Europe,” speaks with Erika Myers, Executive Director of CharIN North America.
First, Mobility Portal asks Myers what is needed to drive electric mobility in the region.
“It’s about several factors,” Myers asserts without hesitation.
She continues, “First, we need to provide a better charging experience that includes improvements in interoperability.”
It is worth mentioning that interoperability is the ability of different charging systems, devices, and platforms to work together efficiently, regardless of the manufacturer or provider.
“This way, the first time a user wants to charge their electric vehicle (EV), they will be able to do so successfully,” explains the director.
And she continues: “At CharIN, we advocate for the interoperability of charging technologies, providing feedback based on field experience to standards development organizations and promoting standards that foster a cohesive EV charging ecosystem.”
Moreover, according to Myers, it is important to continue with a smooth transition to the North American Charging Standard (NACS), also known as SAE J3400.
The transition is expected to streamline charging solutions for consumers, improving convenience and potentially reducing costs for manufacturers.
“We are implementing the NACS, and this will represent a significant shift when considering the deployment of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles,” she comments.
“There will be a major transition with the equipment itself, the communication systems that support the equipment, and with the deployment of EVs that utilize the SAE J3400 input,” she adds.
In this regard, CharIN focuses on ensuring that this standard is as robust, efficient, and effective as possible.
“We also consider aspects that we will experience during the transition, such as the deployment of adapters between the Combined Charging System (CCS) and the NACS, ensuring they are as safe as possible,” the director explains.
On another note, the CharIN representative emphasizes the importance of considering the integration of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, which allows electricity to be extracted from EVs and returned to the grid to power other devices.
This technology helps reduce peak energy demand by taking advantage of variable grid pricing.
Finally, Myers states, “We need better alignment between the industry and the states and agencies, along with more opportunities for consumers to try EVs.”
“There are so many new options that it can often be overwhelming for consumers,” she adds.
How Does CharIn Promote Interoperability?
From 19 to 21 November 2024, CharIN will hold its next interoperability testing event, the CharIN Testival.
This is an event where testing is the focus: a variety of e-vehicles, charging stations, and communication controllers network with stakeholders from across the e-mobility value chain, forging valuable connections in person and measurable results.
It will take place at the WattEV Truck Charging Depot in San Bernardino, California.
“We organize excellent testing events to support all aspects of interoperability between the charger and the vehicle,” says Myers.
During the Testival, visitors will be able to discover the latest advancements in electric mobility while testing a variety of vehicles, charging stations, and communication controllers.
They will also have the opportunity to network with stakeholders from across the value chain and forge valuable in-person connections.
“The event will include plug & charge testing and testing for the ISO 15118 communication standard. We have a fantastic agenda,” assures the director.
Both CharIN members and non-members can participate. However, members enjoy reduced prices across all categories.
Only companies with testing equipment and sponsors will be able to participate throughout all days of the Testival. Registration closes on 1 November 2024.
All others can attend the public day on Wednesday, 20 November, at a reduced cost.
What Are the Current Trends in the US?
Since 2010, 5.4 million electric vehicles have been sold in the United States (across all vehicle classes).
“Up until now, the majority of sales have been light vehicles, although we are beginning to see a shift in that trend as more medium-duty vehicles become available,” acknowledges Myers.
As for current figures, in May 2024, EVs represented around 9% of total market sales in the US.
“We have seen continuous growth in sales, which is interesting, as the media portrays a slowdown when it is actually growing or remaining stable,” the director indicates.
Notably, in the US, the most popular EVs are the Tesla Model Y and Model 3, each representing around one million registrations.
“Nearly 1.2 trillion dollars in investments for electric vehicles have been announced among 400 companies in recent years,” emphasizes Myers.
“Most of this investment has been directed towards opening battery manufacturing facilities and new EV plants,” she adds.
Regarding charging infrastructure, there are currently 32,500 publicly available DC fast chargers and over 108,000 public Level 2 chargers.
About CharIN
CharIN is a non-profit organization open to any company worldwide involved in the electric mobility business.
It is a leading global association with over 300 members dedicated to promoting standards in the field of charging systems for electric vehicles of all types, in as many parts of the world as possible.
“In North America, we focus on bringing together industry stakeholders to collaborate and form technical alignments that create a better driving experience for all consumers,” assures Myers.
