November 22, 2024
Author: Tayna LaPierre
This week, I had the privilege of attending the 2024 CharIN Testival North America in San Bernardino, CA—a three-day event that brought together some of the brightest minds in the EV industry to test, innovate, and collaborate. The event was hosted by WattEV, a company leading the charge in sustainable freight transportation by developing and operating zero-emission trucking solutions. Their innovative work in providing electric trucking services and infrastructure was the perfect backdrop for an event centered on advancing EV charging technology.
For those unfamiliar, the CharIN Testival is all about ensuring interoperability among electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and fostering partnerships and innovations that will shape the future of EV charging. Each day offered something unique and valuable:
Day 1: Testing for Compatibility
The first day was private and focused on hands-on testing. TESCO had the opportunity to put our T4350 and PL4150 EVSE Test Equipment to the test against a wide range of AC and DC chargers from participating manufacturers. This type of real-world testing is essential for us—it’s where we ensure our equipment is fully functional across the diverse EVSE landscape.
From AC Level 2 to ultra-fast DC chargers, we encountered a variety of technologies, each presenting its own challenges and opportunities for improvement. These sessions allow us to refine our products and ensure they perform flawlessly in the field, meeting the needs of Weights and Measures departments, service agencies, and utilities alike.
Day 2: Public Innovation and Demonstrations
Day 2 opened to the public and became a showcase of the EV industry’s cutting-edge technology. It was exciting to see manufacturers and service providers demonstrating their solutions while fostering partnerships to advance the state of the art. For us, it was a chance to meet and network with representatives from CDFA (California Department of Food & Agriculture), Autel, ChargePoint, EVgo, All in One Electric, Phoenix Contact, and many others.
These connections are critical. The EVSE ecosystem thrives on collaboration, and it was inspiring to see so many participants openly sharing ideas and working toward the same goal: to make EV charging more reliable, accessible, and efficient.
Day 3: Private Collaboration and Partnerships
The final day returned to a private setting, providing a unique opportunity for participating teams to meet and discuss future partnerships and collaborations. This was my favorite part of the event because it emphasized the importance of long-term relationships in driving innovation. These conversations go beyond technology, focusing on how we can work together to solve challenges, meet regulatory requirements, and create better experiences for EV drivers.
For TESCO, these discussions reinforced the need for interoperability and reliability in testing. It’s not just about compliance—it’s about creating trust in the entire EV infrastructure. Day 3 highlighted how every stakeholder has a role to play in shaping that trust.
Key Takeaways
- Testing Drives Confidence: Real-world testing ensures our equipment can handle the complexity and diversity of today’s EVSE landscape. It’s how we ensure our tools deliver accuracy and reliability in the field.
- Innovation Happens Through Collaboration: The conversations and partnerships fostered at events like this are what fuel progress. No one can solve these challenges alone.
- The Future is Interoperability: From chargers to testing tools, the industry’s focus on seamless functionality across brands and systems is key to advancing EV adoption.
Captured Moments
A Note of Gratitude
Thank you to the CharIN Testival team for organizing such an impactful event, and to WattEV for hosting us at their incredible facility. Your commitment to advancing sustainable transportation and supporting the EV ecosystem is inspiring and made this year’s event one to remember.
As I left the event, I couldn’t help but feel energized about what’s ahead for the EV industry. It’s exciting to be part of a community that’s not just building technology but reshaping the way we think about transportation and sustainability. If you were at the Testival or want to learn more about what we tested, let’s connect—I’d love to share more about the experience!
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