What is CTEP? Everything you need to know about California EV Charger Regulations
The California Type Evaluation Program is bringing Standardization and Accountability to the EV Industry.
Standards in the EV industry has long been closer to best practices than hard rules. Now, the California Type Evaluation Program (CTEP) is ushering in compliance requirements to make sure commercial EV chargers are manufactured for safe and fair use.
That means hardware distributors installing or selling EV chargers in California will need to certify their devices to ensure they meet safety standards. But what is CTEP, and what does it entail for your business? We’ve got the details.
What is the California Type Evaluation Program (CTEP)?
The CTEP is a certification program from the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Division of Measurement Standards (DMS). It was created to ensure that weighing and measuring devices are designed for their intended use, operate correctly, and carry the required markings. The certification process is aimed at preventing fraud and the sale of faulty devices that may be unsafe or ineffective. In January 2020, the CTEP added commercial EV chargers manufactured or installed in California to the compliance roster.
What does the CTEP Certification have to do with EV Chargers?
The link between the California Department of Food and Agriculture and EV chargers may not be an obvious one. The answer lies in the “measuring” language in CTEP regulations. EV chargers are considered measuring devices under the program because they measure out and transfer electrical energy to EVs. In short, the state of California wants to make sure customers who charge their EVs are getting what they pay for. EV charger manufacturers and operators will need to make sure all their chargers are providing EV drivers with uniform experience (i.e., displaying the correct kWh and accepting the same payment types). Using open, interoperable EV charging station management software can help you make the compliance process easier.
CTEP Requirements and Timelines
All commercial EV chargers that collect a fee will need to obtain a certificate of approval (COA) through the CTEP. That means if you manufacture or install Level 2 and Level 3 chargers for public use in California, the CTEP requirements apply to you. Here are some timelines:
The CTEP requirements are adopted from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Handbook 44. Specifically, section 3.40 concerns electric vehicle fueling systems. Here are some highlights:
You may also want to take a look at the FAQs section on the DMS website before diving into a gap analysis of your EV charger hardware. Once you’ve taken any remediation steps, you can apply for a Certificate of Approval (COA).
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