Weights and measures regulations

Standards for equitable, transparent, and accurate EV charging

Overview

In the United States, electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) used in commercial transactions – where electricity is sold to consumers for vehicle charging – is subject to “weights and measures” regulations designed to ensure pricing transparency and accuracy. These regulations are intended to build consumer confidence by ensuring drivers receive the energy they pay for, and that pricing is clearly communicated.

Weights and measures regulations, enacted at the state level, typically refer to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Handbook 44 for technical requirements. Although NIST is a federal agency, Handbook 44 is not a federal mandate. Instead, the National Conference on Weights and Measures updates and adopts Handbook 44 annually, and individual states choose whether and how to implement and enforce it. Many states have adopted or are in the process of adopting these requirements, with enforcement timelines and specifics varying by jurisdiction. To understand your state’s timelines and specific compliance requirements, contact your state’s weights and measures authority.

ChargePoint and charging station owners each play key roles in weights and measures compliance.

ChargePoint’s Responsibilities

At ChargePoint, we are committed to supporting EV drivers’ right to know what they’re paying for by delivering products that meet metering accuracy standards. Handbook 44 requires EVSE products to secure a National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) certification verifying it meets certain performance, accuracy, and display standards. ChargePoint is responsible for obtaining NTEP certifications for our products, which we accomplish by submitting each product model to an authorized NTEP laboratory for rigorous lab testing. NTEP certificate numbers for our commercial products are here:

• CT 4000: 22-066A1
• CP 6000: 23-112
• CPF 50-K: 24-081
• CPE 250 and 280 (Express 250 and 280): 23-081A1
• PL1000 (Express Plus Power Link 1000): 24-050
• PL2000 (Express Plus Power Link 2000): 23-092

ChargePoint also certifies our products in accordance with California standards. The California Division of Measurement Standards (CalDMS) operates the California Type Evaluation Program (CTEP) and serves as an authorized laboratory for NTEP. California will accept either CTEP or NTEP for compliance. CTEP certificate numbers for our commercial products are here:

• CT 4000: 5889-21
• CP 6000: 5912a-23
• CPE 250 and 280 (Express 250 and 280): 5934-23
• PL1000 (Express Plus Power Link 1000): 5953-23
• PL2000 (Express Plus Power Link 2000): 5938-23

Charging Station (EVSE) Owner Responsibilities

Depending on the state, weights and measures regulations may impose certain requirements when charging stations are installed, operated and/or repaired. Examples may include (but are not limited to) registering the charging station with the state or county, ensuring installation or repair technicians have certain certifications, and testing the accuracy of the charging station’s meter at the time of installation or repair, and prohibiting the use of time-based energy rates^[1].

Charging station owners are responsible for meeting these types of requirements and should consult their state’s weights and measures authority to understand requirement details and compliance timelines. Please note that charging stations operating under an annual CPaaS (ChargePoint as a Service) subscription are managed by ChargePoint.

As rules evolve regarding EV charging, ChargePoint may periodically update its policy.

[1] Energy pricing of EV charging stations must be per kiloWatt-hour (kWh) and cannot be per minute or hour. While the energy rate must be per kWh only, other fees can still be applied separately in addition to the energy rate, including time-based parking fees, transaction fees, and overstay fees. In accordance with this state law and other regulations, ChargePoint stations and the mobile app lists other fees separately from the energy rate. If you own an EV charging station that has a time-based energy rate, you can refer to this guide for instructions on how to change the pricing policy or visit our station owner support FAQ.

This is an example of energy pricing per kWh, which is allowed:

These are examples of energy pricing per minute and hour, which is prohibited:

This is an example of energy pricing per kWh plus time-based parking fees (listed separately under “Station Time Rate”, which is allowed: