APEC members discuss harmonizing EV charging standards

Representatives from various Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies, including government, corporate, and technical organizations, recently met in Dalian, China, to discuss the harmonization of electric vehicle (EV) charging standards. The goal is to ensure that drivers can charge vehicles reliably, quickly, and safely across different markets.

Participants noted that current discrepancies in connectors, testing, certification, and data rules force companies to undergo repetitive testing and submit duplicate documentation. To address these inefficiencies, attendees proposed unifying testing methods, sample requirements, and report formats, while strengthening the mutual recognition of conformity assessment results. The discussions also emphasized the need for cooperation in charging roaming, payment systems, cybersecurity, and data governance to support the growing global EV ecosystem.