November 20, 2024
Author: Tayna LaPierre
Week three is ending in my new role, and the challenge of knowing what I don’t know is evident (at least to me). When I first stepped into my role as EVSE Product Manager for TESCO Metering, I thought I had a solid grasp of the regulations shaping our industry. I had heard about Handbook 44, the cornerstone of metrology standards, and the upcoming nationwide requirements for EVSE accuracy testing starting in January 2025. But as I dig deeper into the details, I’m learning just how vast—and sometimes confusing—this regulatory landscape really is.
Let’s start with the big one: HB 44 legislation. Beginning in 2025, all public EV chargers across the U.S. must comply with accuracy standards ensuring that drivers are billed fairly for the energy they receive. It’s a massive step forward for consumer protection, but it comes with a steep learning curve for operators, regulators, and even product managers like me. What exactly does compliance look like? How are different states interpreting and enforcing these standards? It’s now my job to understand and answer these complex questions.
Take California, for example. As a leader in EV adoption, the state is forging ahead with additional requirements through EPO 52, which mandates clear labeling of pricing units and transparent billing for EVSE users. While this is great for consumers, it’s clear that many in the industry are struggling to keep up. Conversations with weights and measures officials reveal a shared challenge: how to interpret and implement these rules effectively while juggling the transition to HB 44.
As I dive into the details, I’ve realized just how much I still have to learn. Regulations aren’t just about compliance—they’re about the real-world impact on consumers, businesses, and the EV ecosystem as a whole. Understanding how accuracy testing integrates with these rules is crucial to my role at TESCO. Our equipment, like the T4350, is designed to simplify compliance testing, but understanding the “why” behind these tools is just as important as knowing how they work.
To gain more clarity, I’ll be attending the National Conference for Weights and Measures (NCWM) in Charleston, SC, this January. It’s an exciting opportunity to hear directly from the people shaping and enforcing these standards, and I hope to bring back valuable insights not just for myself but for the teams I’ll work with. Until then, my immediate plan involves a lot of reading, a little head-scratching, and plenty of questions as I try to piece it all together.
One thing’s for sure: this journey is reminding me of how dynamic and complex the EVSE industry really is. The regulations are evolving just as fast as the technology, and staying ahead means committing to constant learning. I’m excited to be part of an industry that’s setting new standards—literally and figuratively—and I look forward to helping TESCO’s customers navigate this challenging but rewarding space.
If you’re also preparing for the HB 44 changes or working through California’s EPO 52, I would love to hear your experiences. What challenges are you facing, and how are you addressing them? Let’s learn together.
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