This is National Weights and Measures Week (March 1-7), and CDFA is marking the occasion by highlighting recent groundbreaking work to help extend California’s electric vehicle charging network.
The work addresses a major challenge faced by EV owners — a still-developing network of commercial charging stations, including a need for them to be universally accessible through a series of plugs, adapters and software applications that will allow EV drivers to recharge more widely and pay for the service on smart devices like phones and tablets.
CDFA’s Division of Measurement Standards worked with the EV industry leader, Tesla, to test and approve these advances, which are now operational on Tesla’s network and allow for the charging of other manufacturer’s vehicles on that network. Additionally, other charging station manufacturers and service providers may leverage the technology to help further in opening California’s expanding charging network to all EV drivers. These measures are adding substantial capacity to the state and national charger infrastructure, which is essential for consumer acceptance and transition to EVs.
The Division of Measurement Standards is committed to protecting fair commerce in California — the idea that consumers and other buyers of goods and services should always get what they pay for, and that sellers must receive fair payment. The recent progress on EV charging stations is another important example of the division showing national leadership by staying current with rapidly-developing technology in order to maintain equity in the marketplace.