New CSA Group publication aims to address the deployment challenges of EV charging infrastructure in Canada

While Canada’s commitment to achieving 100 per cent zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035 remains strong, a recent AutoTrader survey reveals that insufficient charging infrastructure remains a major obstacle to the broader adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Canada.

Consumers have also raised concerns about charger reliability, accessibility, and overall experience.

CSA Group’s new technical specification CSA TS-802:24, Electric vehicle infrastructure deployment guidance*, helps address the most pressing issues in EV charging and supports a harmonized approach across Canada, which will benefit the public as well as organizations operating in multiple jurisdictions.

Better access to charging stations

Drivers need access to charging infrastructure in public places, workplaces, and homes. The CSA Group technical specification provides guidance promoting the safe and consistent deployment and reliable operation of EV charging infrastructure to help ensure it is accessible, convenient, and seamless for all users.

Installing charging stations in public or private places also requires consideration of a variety of factors, including location, grid connection facilities, permitting, metering, as well as employing an EV energy management system to manage power consumption and reduce energy costs.

These considerations are summarized in TS-802:24.

Addressing charging station accessibility

Addressing the needs of persons with disabilities should be a key priority in the design of EV charging stations.

The technical specification highlights typical accessibility issues, such as access to the charging spot for someone using a mobility aid, the placement and height of EV charging equipment, the weight of EV charging cords, and sufficient lighting for reading instructions and controls on the charging system.

CSA Group continues to advance standardization in this important area.

The technical specification provides a list of other CSA Group standards that provide further guidance on the accessibility of charging stations.

Prioritizing safe, reliable charging

EV charging infrastructure delivers electricity at high power levels. Being used by the public, it is crucial to prioritize its safety.

The technical specification outlines the relevant requirements of the Canadian Electrical Code for the safety of electrical installations and other related North American standards for charging and charging equipment. The specification also provides recommendations and best practices for mechanical, telecommunication, data security, and environmental considerations, as well as requirements for installation personnel.

EV charging operators should also integrate operations and maintenance in their business considerations to help optimize charging infrastructure performance and user satisfaction. They should consider factors such as availability or replacement parts, remote monitoring and control of the charging station, repair request response time, and communication of the charging station’s availability.

Enhancing user experience

With a growing number of players in the EV space, the compatibility of systems and services is essential in providing users with a seamless and positive experience.

These considerations should include interoperability of charging connectors and providing connector adapters, and interoperability of charging networks so that drivers can easily locate, use, and pay for charging at multiple networks, as well as interoperability of charging station-to-vehicle and charging network-to-hardware communication protocols.

Clear pricing strategies, whether flat-fee, time-based, energy-based, or other models and multiple payment options can also contribute to better user experience and help expand the market for EV drivers who can choose to recharge at a particular station or network.

More guidance

The technical specification also provides valuable guidance for site hosts on engaging with the local utility and authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) when planning EV infrastructure and includes a list of the most common types of documentation required for installing a public charger.

The informative annexes offer additional recommendations for utilities to help potential site hosts decide if they wish to proceed with installing an EV charging station. The recommendations for AHJs include suggestions on how to streamline the permitting process. Finally, CSA TS-802:24 offers policy considerations that can help governments and regulators create programs supporting the deployment of EV charging infrastructure.

By outlining a framework for harmonizing EV infrastructure, CSA TS-802:24 can help provide drivers of electric vehicles with consistent and seamless access to a robust EV charging network regardless of their route and destination. A unified approach to deploying EV charging infrastructure across Canada can remove some of the obstacles for developers, owners, and operators and renew interest in EVs among consumers.

Learn more about CSA TS-802 and CSA Group’s research and standards for battery electric vehicle charging and energy management.

*The development of the Technical Specification CSA TS-802:24 was made possible, in part, by the financial support of Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade.