Metrology to support legislation for electric vehicle supply equipment

Within European Green Deal, the EU states the goal for Europe to become the first climate neutral continent by 2050. To achieve this, profound changes must be made to key European infrastructure, including transport, for which electric vehicles will play a vital role.

The alternative fuels infrastructure (AFIR) was established in 2023 to support the introduction of electric vehicles. The AFIR includes new regulations requiring that every 60 km of the Trans-European Transport Network includes 150 kW charging points and that 15 % of the network be covered by 350 kW charging points. In tandem, the introduction of the Measuring Instruments Directive (MID) Annex Va in 2024 means that these charging stations will now become regulated. As the number of charging stations increases, and to meet new regulation, there is increased need for measurement methods and devices to enable conformity assessment and in-the-field testing to ensure safety and fair billing.

This project will develop the metrology required to assess electric vehicle charging stations. This includes easy-to-use methods and hardware for in-field test systems up to 1000 V and 500 A, which will then be adapted to develop in-cable test and measurement systems up to 1250 V and 1500 A. The project will also develop efficient procedures for passive real power and phantom power measurements across multiple test-points, as well as methods, traceability and calibration services for mega-watt-charging equipment.

This work will enable conformity assessment for charging stations, as well as fair billing through accurate market surveillance, encouraging the uptake of electric vehicles to meet EU climate targets.