New Nordic test center behind electric car charging standard

The new independent test center for electric car infrastructure named Nordic EV Interoperability Center (NEVIC), the first of its kind in the world, will ensure interoperability between electric cars and charging stations. The technology platform – the so-called technical roaming – will help create a more reliable and uniform market for consumers. The new test center will work to identify and address any technology issues in the market.

Behind the initial work are the electric car operators ChoosEV, Better Place and CleanCharge as well as DONG Energy, Risø DTU and Danish Electric Vehicle Alliance. The project is backed by Copenhagen Cleantech Cluster which receives funding from e.g. EU Structural Funds, the Capital Region of Denmark and Region Zealand. GAP funding enables researchers to further-develop projects of commercial and industrial interest.

"The new center brings us to the very forefront of EV Interoperability, enabling us to test and bypass all the small problems and barriers that always occur when different providers and their technologies have to interact. And we will thereby be able to assist both the market players and consumers," says Anders Troi, head of programme at Risø DTU.

EV charging stations from different providers – including both standard and fast chargers – will be installed at the NEVIC test center. As more and more electric cars and plug-in hybrid cars as well as charging stations enter the Danish market, they will be tested at the NEVIC center before being cleared for the road.

Danish Electric Vehicle Alliance praises the test center initiative as it will address any interoperability issues between cars and charging stations. The Alliance played an important role in bringing components and electric car suppliers, electricity providers and the research community together to jointly accept the need for the new test center.

"The test center is unique and will help ensure that the EV industry and Risø DTU can collaborate on giving consumers peace of mind. The knowhow accumulated by the center will be used for developing a potential 'golden egg' for Denmark. The test center can help lay the foundation for meeting the goal of the Danish government of free access to charging stations for consumers and market players across Denmark," says Lærke Flader, Managing Director of Danish EV Alliance.