U.S. Market Requirements for AC and DC EV Chargers
In the United States, market access for AC and DC electric vehicle chargers is fundamentally built on three pillars: NRTL safety listing, compliance with electrical codes, and— where public funding is involved—meeting federal programs such as NEVI.
Below, requirements are explained in two layers: Safety and electrical compliance, and interoperability and network standards that are increasingly mandatory for public and subsidized infrastructure.
1. Safety and Electrical Compliance (NRTL-Based)
NRTL Listing – De Facto Mandatory
Under OSHA’s Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) program, most electrical equipment installed in the U.S. must be evaluated and certified by a recognized lab in order to be accepted by electrical inspectors, utilities, and insurance providers.
For EV charging equipment, this makes NRTL listing a practical requirement, even if not explicitly named in federal statutes. Without it, EVSE installations typically fail inspection or cannot be insured.
Common NRTL marks in the EVSE sector include: UL, ETL, cTUVus, and CSA. These apply to AC chargers, DC fast chargers, connectors, and charging cables.
Core UL Safety Standards by Charger Type
-
AC EV Chargers (Level 1 / Level 2)
UL 2594 – Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment, the primary North American safety standard for residential and commercial AC chargers. -
DC Fast Chargers
UL 2202 – DC Charging Equipment for Electric Vehicles, covering electrical, mechanical, and thermal safety of DC charging systems. -
Shock Protection and Ground Fault Safety
UL 2231-1 and UL 2231-2 define personal protection requirements, including ground fault monitoring and response behavior. These standards are foundational for both AC and DC EVSE. -
Connectors and Couplers
UL 2251 applies to vehicle plugs, inlets, and couplers, ensuring safe mechanical and electrical connection between EV and charger.
Electrical Installation Codes
All EV charging installations must comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC), particularly Article 625, which governs circuit sizing, protection devices, grounding, and installation methods.
Even a fully certified charger can be rejected at site level if installation does not meet NEC requirements.
2. Interoperability and Network Requirements (Federal & Public Projects)
For publicly accessible DC fast chargers—especially those seeking federal funding— safety certification alone is no longer sufficient. Interoperability, open networking, and roaming capabilities are now core compliance requirements.
NEVI Program – Minimum Technical Standards
Under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, public DC fast charging stations must meet federally defined minimum standards.
Vehicle-to-Charger (EV–EVSE)
- Hardware must conform to ISO 15118-3
- Capability to implement ISO 15118-2 and ISO 15118-20, enabling features such as Plug & Charge
- Conformance testing aligned with ISO 15118-4 and ISO 15118-5
Charger-to-Network (Backend Communication)
- Mandatory support for OCPP 1.6J or later
- From 2025 onward, OCPP 2.0.1 is required for NEVI-funded chargers
Network-to-Network (Roaming)
- Support for OCPI 2.2.1, enabling interoperability and roaming between charging networks
Charging Interfaces
- Each DC fast charging port must include at least one CCS Type 1 connector
- Additional interfaces (CHAdeMO, NACS) may be provided, provided CCS compatibility is maintained
Emerging Interface Standards
The SAE J3400 (NACS) connector is being standardized as a common fast-charging interface in the U.S. market. Future deployments increasingly require chargers to support NACS alongside CCS, while maintaining compatibility with ISO 15118, OCPP, and OCPI ecosystems.
3. Efficiency and Voluntary Market Labels
ENERGY STAR
- Defines efficiency and standby power requirements for AC EVSE
- NRTL safety listing is a prerequisite for ENERGY STAR certification
State and Local Requirements
Some states and municipalities impose additional requirements, such as cybersecurity controls, open payment methods, or data-sharing obligations. These are often embedded as mandatory technical criteria in public tenders.
4. Practical “Must-Do” Checklists by Product Type
| Product Type | Core Requirements |
|---|---|
| Residential / Light Commercial AC Chargers | NRTL listing (UL 2594 + UL 2231 + UL 2251), NEC-compliant installation; ENERGY STAR recommended for channel access |
| Public AC Chargers | Same NRTL and NEC requirements as residential; OCPP commonly required by property owners and municipalities |
| Public DC Fast Chargers (Including NEVI) | NRTL listing (UL 2202 + UL 2231 + UL 2251), NEC compliance; CCS Type 1 interface; OCPP, OCPI, ISO 15118 for NEVI-funded projects |
Key takeaway: In the U.S. market, EV charger compliance is not a single certificate, but a layered system combining safety listing, electrical codes, and—where applicable—federal interoperability mandates. Early alignment with these requirements is essential for successful deployment and long-term scalability.
