Industry feedback to date has reflected strong overall support for EECA to provide clear information to the market on smart chargers, available solutions, and their role - due to the many benefits for the energy system.

EECA is therefore creating an approved list of residential and commercial electric vehicle chargers, that are assessed to be efficient and capable of two-way communication (i.e. ‘smart’). EECA will promote the approved list to consumers and commercial fleet owners to make purchasing an efficient and smart charger easy.

This specification sets out the criteria used by EECA for assessing whether chargers are eligible for inclusion on the approved list.

Performance criteria to qualify for the approved list

All electric vehicle supply equipment is eligible for registration on the approved list, provided they meet the performance criteria below:

General criteria

  • EECA may periodically check that EVSE appearing on the approved list meet the specified performance criteria claimed. At EECA’s request, an EVSE must be made available for testing – it will be returned in saleable condition.

Efficiency criteria (minimum specification)

  • DC chargers must achieve at least 90% efficiency when measured between 25% and 100% load using the method specified in the test method for EVSE below, or an equivalent method. EECA will determine whether the equivalent method is suitable on application.

Connectivity criteria (minimum specification)

  • EVSE must fully comply with, including all applicable commands, Open Charge Point Protocol 1.6 or above (OCPP 1.6+) with software preinstalled, all supporting keys etc. are supplied, and only require a connection during install to enable a remote agent to control it.
  • EVSE must continue charging even if the EVSE ceases to be connected to a communications network.
  • EVSE must have a measuring system, to measure or calculate the electricity imported or exported and the time the charging lasts, with visibility to the owner of this information or their authorised agent. This ensures remote accessibility of charging data with implicit consumer consent.
  • The EVSE supplier must advise the purchaser about OCPP 1.6+ (including an OCPI compliant charge point operator platform for commercial applications) and assist installers as necessary to ensure connection.

Randomised start function criteria (minimum specification)

  • Residential EVSE must be configured to operate a default randomised delay to the following method, or an equivalent method. EECA will determine whether the equivalent method is suitable on application.
  • Residential EVSE must be configured to operate a default randomised delay of up to 600 seconds (10 minutes) at each charging instance (that is, any switch in load that is on, up, or down). The exact delay must:
    • be of a random duration between 0 to 600 seconds;
    • be conferred to the nearest second; and
    • be of a different duration each charging instance.
  • Smart EV chargers must be configured such that a randomised delay will not happen when the owner or end-user has cancelled the randomised delay by manually overriding it.

How to apply to be on the approved list

New Zealand EVSE importers/manufacturers can apply to have their products on the approved list. To apply, please email the following information for each EVSE to star@eeca.govt.nz:

  • Retail model number, brand, connector type (e.g. 1, 2, CSS, CHAdeMo), Charger type (AC or DC), Maximum output power, input power type (three or single phase)
  • Supplier Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) showing compliance with New Zealand legislation and performance criteria outlined in this specification.
  • A test report to the test method specified above, or equivalent method showing compliance with connectivity and efficiency requirements.
  • Whether the product is compatible with OpenADR and IEEE 2030.5 (please note this is for information purposes only, compliance with OpenADR or IEEE 2030.5 is NOT a mandatory requirement to be included on the approved list).

Effective date for this specification

This specification will be effective from 20/12/2023.

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