Biz ‘Bite:’ INL works with White House toward more accessible vehicle charging

Vehicle charging has been identified as one of the biggest challenges to meet growing transportation electrification demand, and as a result, the White House recently announced a plan to help make electric vehicle charging more accessible. New recommendations were provided by the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, and John Smart, Jean Chu and Torrey Lyons, with Idaho National Laboratory (INL), served on the team.

INL was asked to participate because of its expertise in charging cybersecurity and charger siting, according to a recent press release from INL. Over the past 20 years, the lab has collected extensive data on how to make EV chargers more reliable.

“The joint office team pooled our technical expertise to help Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) establish regulations we perceive as necessary to help the industry grow and achieve a national charging network that is convenient, affordable, reliable and equitable,” Smart said in a statement. “We also worked to ensure that these standards do not stifle innovation.”

In addition to these minimum standards and requirements, the joint office worked with FHWA to provide clarification on how Buy America requirements apply to charging stations funded by the Department of Transportation. The document released by FHWA indicates that by July 2024, at least 55% of the contents needed to assemble new vehicle chargers must be manufactured in the United States, according to the press release.

“This guidance document will drive billions of dollars in investment throughout the nation,” Chu said in a statement. “Ideally, it will facilitate development of a domestic supply chain for electric vehicle charging equipment, positioning the United States as a continued leader in the world’s transition to electric transportation.”