Partnership to address EV adoption barriers
Charging Interface Initiative e.V. (CharIN) and Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) personnel said the entities have partnered as a means of developing and promoting vehicle-grid-integration (VGI) technology and standards.
“The CharIN association includes members from the global EV charging value chain,” Claas Bracklo, chairman of the CharIN e.V, said. “EVs play a key role in the future grid, and utilities can leverage them as bidirectional grid assets. We are excited about the opening of our North American office as a base for collaboration with important regional strategic partners, including SEPA.”
The Memorandum of Understanding formalizing their plans to collaborate reinforces the importance of engaging the full spectrum of industry and non-industry stakeholders in the pursuit of a common vision and goals for VGI.
“In order to achieve a Vehicle-Grid-Integration (VGI) future, we must bring together the EV manufacturers, charging infrastructure providers, and electric utilities,” Erika Myers, principal, Transportation Electrification for SEPA, said. “This agreement will help advance important standards for VGI, and we are excited to be working with CharIN to further our shared goals and create enhanced opportunities for collaboration.”
Myers said the collaboration with CharIN represents SEPA’s first international agreement, reflecting the global market for EVs. She notes VGI standards developed abroad may directly impact domestic utility members.
