Standards Australia has launched new technical specifications to boost the safety of charging electric vehicles. Casey McGuire looks at the recent changes and what it means for installers.

Standards Australia has released two Technical Specifications (TS) for residential and commercial EV chargers which have been backed by the NSW Government. The government invested $209 million to ensure widespread, world-class charging coverage to future-proof the EV network.

The NSW Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (NSW DCCEEW) worked in collaboration with Transport NSW on the new specifications.

The guidelines are available at the Standards Australia Reader Room and provide all the information required to safely use and install chargers at home or in commercial settings.

The introduction of these technical specifications and support by the NSW Government is aimed at accelerating the adoption of EVs and making sure there are enough public charging structures to meet the growing demand.

What are the technical specifications?

SA TS 5396:2024 EV chargers for residential use and SA TS 5397:2024 EV chargers for commercial applications are the two new technical specifications. This initiative is to promote safety and sustainable charging methods through several new specifications according to a DCCEEW spokesperson. It is intended to guide all parties involved in the planning, design, approvals, installation, operation and maintenance of EV service equipment (EVSE) as it becomes a single touch-point document, containing all general EV charging information

The guidelines provide a source of advice and recommendations for planning, installation, ongoing operations and maintenance of EV chargers. Also, everything is designed to be written in plain English, so it makes it easier for non-technical audiences to understand the content.

All of these were developed through consultations with a diverse group of industry stakeholders which included experts from government agencies and industry experts.

Everything has been reviewed and received the endorsement of Standards Australia’s technical committee EM001. The committee comprised of representative agencies across multiple states, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) and Engineers Australia just to name a few.

What is the purpose?

The aim of the guidelines is to assist customers overcome uncertainties on charging infrastructure. They also give recommendations on charging plans when travelling and for businesses investing in charging infrastructure.

The guidelines provide information on safely installing and the use of EV chargers at home and in commercial settings.

By making the guidelines available to the public, the support of the NSW Government propels the emersion of user-friendly and safe charging networks. This is to increase the uptake of EVs to therefore contribute to Australia’s net zero goals.

Standards Australia chief operating officer Kareen Riley-Takos says these changes are integral to the transition to EVs.

“The world of motoring is rapidly evolving and the transition to EVs can be confusing for consumers and small business owners,” Kareen says.

“These technical specifications aim to reduce the confusion and uncertainty for consumers, giving them greater confidence to make the shift to lower-emissions vehicles.”

To read the latest technical specifications, visit the Standards Australia website or the Standards Store.