Tracking and Improving Reliability of California’s Electric Vehicle Chargers: Regulations for Improved Electric Vehicle Charger Recordkeeping and Reporting, Reliability, and Data Sharing
Widespread adoption of zero-emission electric vehicles will require robust charging infrastructure that is easy for drivers to use and functions reliably when drivers need to charge.
This California Energy Commission staff report Tracking and Improving Reliability of California’s Electric Vehicle Chargers proposes new regulations for tracking the number and location of electric vehicle charging ports installed in California. The proposed regulations will also set requirements to track direct current fast charging port reliability and set new direct current fast charging port reliability standards and other data sharing requirements.
Staff proposes these regulations pursuant to several statutes that grant the CEC a broad range of data collection authority, such as Public Resources Code sections 25301 through 25305, including over electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Public Resources Code 25229 assigns the California Energy Commission the responsibility for evaluating the electric vehicle charging infrastructure to meet the state's adoption objectives. This evaluation requires a detailed understanding of operational charging ports. Furthermore, Public Resources Code 25231.5 directs the CEC to:
Develop charging port uptime recordkeeping standards and deliver biennial infrastructure reliability assessments starting in 2025.
Adopt tools to increase charging port uptime, including uptime and operation and maintenance requirements.
Establish standards for sharing information regarding the availability and accessibility of public charging infrastructure.
These regulations apply equally to charging ports that serve light-, medium-, and heavy-duty electric vehicles. These regulations are designed to improve state insight into progress in meeting California’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure goals and to help ensure drivers have access to reliable and accessible charging.
