1. California sets first-in-the-nation EV charger reliability rules
California’s Public Utilities Commission approved new regulations requiring EV charging networks to meet defined uptime and data transparency standards. The rule, effective in 2026, requires charger operators and hardware providers to report performance metrics and maintain at least 97% uptime across networks. It also formalizes data-sharing requirements so reliability information can be tracked statewide.
Why it matters: This is the first time reliability is being codified as a regulatory requirement, not just a business metric. Every EVSE manufacturer, installer, and software operator selling into California—and likely other states that will follow—will have to prove both hardware and operational compliance.
The focus is shifting from “build it” to “prove it works.”
2. Federal NEVI guidance revised to speed up charger deployments
The U.S. Department of Transportation quietly updated its National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) guidance this month, giving states more flexibility on site spacing, certification, and station design.
The move aims to accelerate stalled deployments and let states adapt to terrain, traffic, and utility constraints while maintaining interoperability.
Why it matters: It signals that the federal government wants to unclog the pipeline. The challenge is now about execution and reliability, not just policy intent. Companies in the EVSE space—hardware OEMs, installers, and network operators—should expect state-level variance to increase. A charger built for one region might not meet another’s evolving spec.
For anyone in the business of EVSE compliance or regulatory planning, this is where policy agility becomes a competitive advantage.
3. Court restores blocked EV charger funding
A federal judge recently blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to freeze NEVI funds for 14 states, ordering the Department of Transportation to resume distributions. With this ruling, roughly $1.5 billion in pending EV infrastructure grants are expected to move forward.
Why it matters: Funding delays have been one of the biggest roadblocks for charging infrastructure build-out. The court’s action restarts hundreds of projects that were in limbo, but it also adds urgency for states and vendors to meet the updated NEVI and reliability requirements above. The compliance bar just got higher and the clock just started again.
TKD2 Takeaway
Between California’s reliability mandate, the revised NEVI flexibility, and the court-ordered restart of federal funds, the next six months will define how EVSE compliance and performance standards take shape across the country.
For companies in the EV charging supply chain—hardware manufacturers, software integrators, site developers, or utilities—these aren’t abstract regulatory shifts. They directly affect certification requirements, uptime reporting, data access, and market eligibility.
TKD2 (via M5 Partners) tracks these regulations daily and helps clients translate them into business strategy—so they can stay compliant, secure funding eligibility, and remain ahead of evolving performance rules.
#automotive #regulations #charging #ev #mandates #innovation