EV charging station and infrastructure

What is EV charging infrastructure?

EV charging infrastructure refers to the charging facility and connectors required for the efficient operation of alternative energy vehicles and is the most important technology in enabling the success of electric mobility. A safe and seamless user experience is key to the end user’s overall acceptance and satisfaction within the EV ecosystem. This can only be achieved with a safe, reliable and convenient EV charging infrastructure.

Modern energy systems can supply the electricity for alternative energy vehicles, but this supply should be safe, practical, and consistent. Charging equipment is an almost permanent connection of vehicles with electricity grids, and therefore it is likely that in the future, this energy may even flow in both directions. 

Why are services for e-mobility charging solutions important?

Manufacturers of EV charging stations and connectors are developing equipment based on new technologies that require extensive testing and certification services according to relevant standards by independent third-party service provider like TÜV SÜDs. Our dedicated services offer several benefits:

• Ensure your products meet international standards, as well as market and regulatory requirements for safety and quality
• Improve your current product design based on relevant testing results and avoid costly rework
• Achieve compliance with relevant requirements to enter new global electric vehicle markets
• Ensure compatibility of your technology and products with local electricity supply

TÜV SÜD supports you in testing and certifying your EV charging infrastructure products

Working side by side with companies and local authorities worldwide, TÜV SÜD is laying the foundation for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. We have decades of experience in testing and certifying conventional filling stations and now we are using this experience to help establish global electric vehicle industry safety standards.

Our team of multidisciplinary experts leverages extensive expertise in automotive, infrastructure, battery and alternative energy concepts to help top industry players develop and test e-mobility technologies. Our experts provide a full range of services for electric vehicle charging infrastructure and systems, from site assessment and selection to the initial testing and certification of charging units, as well as on-site commissioning inspection after installation.

With our globally accredited laboratories (DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025) we assist you in testing your products and overcoming existing challenges.

TÜV SÜD’s EV charging infrastructure services

High power DC charging provides energy almost instantaneously and enables long-distance travelling with an EV. When automotive meets the electricity grid, sound inter-sectoral knowledge on safety, communication technologies and regulations are required. TÜV SÜD provides testing and certification of EV charging infrastructure, including charging stations, connectors and electrical components for:

• AC charging poles, stations and wall boxes
• DC charging poles and stations (CHAdeMO and CCS)
• In-cable control protective devices and on-board charger
• Inductive wireless charging systems
• Communication between grid and vehicle
• Connectors and other components
• Grid connection guidelines

We provide the following services for e-mobility charging solutions:

Advisory services

• Site selection advisory for charging station operators of AC, DC or inductive charging. We study the local network conditions and issue network compatibility documents to public authorities after performing network simulations.
• International compliance advisory for manufacturers of electrical charging units.
• Advisory on vehicle and charging station interoperability.
• Advice to government authorities and grid operators on the feedback effects of battery charging units on the local electricity grid. 

Testing and certification

Testing of the charging station and components in accordance with the most relevant global standards, including but not limited to:

• Electrical safety testing
• Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing
• Environmental testing
• Compliance certification of charging stations and components in accordance with national and international standards (CE Mark or UL Mark) like:

- Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35/EU
- Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (EMC) 2014/30/EU
- Machinery Directive (MD) 2006/42/EU
- Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU
- RoHS 2011/65/EC
- WEEE 2012/19/EC

• Periodic inspections of the EV charging station infrastructure

Get in touch with our charging infrastructure experts