Developing Electrical Safety Standards to Introduce Electric Vehicles into Canada

Lead Proponent:  Canadian Standards Association - CSA Group
Location: Mississauga, ON
ecoEII Contribution:  $ 1,909,000
Project Total:  $ 3,102,000

Project Background

Vehicle electrification is quickly proving to be one of the most effective strategies to decarbonizing the transportation sector.  However codes and standards are needed to support the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE).  CSA Group manages the development of the Canadian Electrical Code and related product standards to accommodate the technical requirements of electric vehicles.  Since 2009, CSA Group has been engaging industry, federal and provincial entities, to ensure that Canada continues to be active, and is represented internationally, in the development of an EV infrastructure primarily addressing the compatibility and operability elements of EV infrastructure.  Following the publication of the Government of Canada’s Electric Vehicle Technology Roadmap in 2010, CSA Group initiated the development of harmonized North American standards and practices that also aligned with international standards, for the integration of EV components.  The project “Developing Electrical Safety Standards to Introduce Electric Vehicles into Canada” was therefore conceived and proposed for ecoEII funding.  EcoEII awarded the Project $1,909K to enhance and promote Canada’s participation in the development of EV codes and standards through three approaches: establishing and updating of Canadian standards for EVSE; developing and harmonizing EVSE product requirements for North America; and establishing, harmonizing and facilitating the adoption of standards at an international level, in order to minimize international trade barriers to EV adoption.

Results

In January 2015, the Canadian Electrical Code (CE Code), Part 1 was published with updates made specifically for EVs in order to ensure safe operation.  Rules and definitions were updated to align with national and international definitions for EV equipment, for example “Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment” was replaced by “Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment”. 

Four tri-national standards were developed and published.  The harmonization of North American standards for equipment operation, performance and safety is vital to the EV industry.  CSA Group collaborated with Underwriters Laboratories in the U.S. and the Association of Standardization and Certification (ANCE) in Mexico on content development for the standards.  The harmonized standards ensure that manufacturers of EVSE in Canada, U.S. and Mexico meet the same requirements and facilitate cross-border travel for EV consumers.  Additionally, CSA Group has undertaken a project to develop a harmonized Canada-U.S. standard for electric vehicle direct current (DC) charging.

CSA Group contributed to the development of international standards through participation in several International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) technical committees, including two on EV batteries and energy storage.  Networking and knowledge sharing with research organizations provided Canadian participants with valuable insight into the performance, safety, and reliability requirements of EV batteries.  As a result, two international battery standards that were adopted as national standards in Canada with no deviations: CAN/CSA-E62660 Secondary lithium-ion cells for the propulsion of electric road vehicles – Part 1 (Performance testing) and Part 2 (Reliability and abuse testing).

A recommendation report summarizing proposed changes for the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) and CE Code, Part 1 as they relate to EVSE was published.  CSA Group hosted two workshops where requirements for EV infrastructure in the NBCC and CE Code, Part1 were investigated, key infrastructure gaps were identified and recommendations on how to address the gaps were conceived.  Industry experts, policy makers, regulators, the research community, and other interested stakeholders were invited to participate in the workshops.  The results were synthesized in the recommendation report, which will have a significant impact on charging infrastructure for EVs.

Benefits to Canada

CSA Group’s efforts will ensure that Canada continues to be active in North America as well internationally in the development of an EV infrastructure primarily addressing the safety, compatibility, and operability elements. Doing so will enhance global trade and acceptance in the EV market which will also stimulate Canadian consumer confidence.

Next Steps

Publish 2018 CE Code, Part 1 with updates for EV. Continue to participate in international EV standards development and ensure that Canadian requirements are considered.  Implement recommendations made in the EV infrastructure requirements report.