What are some emerging best practices to help streamline the interconnection of EV chargers?

To meet transportation electrification goals and the increasing demand for EV charging options, states, utilities, and local governments will need to adopt policies that can streamline the process for connecting EV charging infrastructure to the grid. Delays at different stages of the process currently create uncertainty for project developers and slow down the transition to electrified transportation. The main factors that contribute to these delays include 1) interconnection process delays, 2) difficulties obtaining easements (which grant utilities the right to install, access, and service electrical equipment on a property), and 3) slow permitting processes.

States and local governments across the country are implementing best practices to help streamline the interconnection process. A few of these include 1) utilities ensuring that any staff working on EV infrastructure projects have charger-specific knowledge, 2) state legislatures requiring utilities to implement programs that allow for more cost- and time-efficient charger interconnections like “make-ready” programs, and 3) AHJs ensuring that information about the permitting process, including a list of any materials required to be submitted along with a permit request, is online and easy to find.

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These best practices and more can be read about in this IREC report, Paving the Way: Emerging Best Practices for Electric Vehicle Charger Interconnection, which can be used as guidance for jurisdictions looking to enable the rapid deployment of EV chargers.