SAE International released the SAE J3400: NACS Electric Vehicle Coupler Technical Recommended Practice (RP). The SAE J3400 RP establishes a robust framework for EV charging in North America including general physical, electrical, functional, safety, and performance requirements for the rollout of the industry-developed standard later this year.

The SAE J3400 NACS Task Force also announced that the NACS acronym has been updated to “North American Charging System,” reflecting that it is system comprising a set of industry standards covering aspects beyond the vehicle coupler.

The SAE J3400 recommended practice adds 1000V DC fast-charge with adapter thermal awareness, SAE Universal AC charging for mass electrification using carry-along cables and adopts V2G and backup power requirements.

—Dr. Rodney McGee, Ph.D., P.E., chairman, SAE J3400 NACS Task Force, and Research Engineer at the Transportation Electrification Center at the University of Delaware

SAE announced efforts to standardize the Tesla-developed North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector in June of 2023 to address the critical need for consistency and compatibility among various charging systems and EV models. The publication of the J3400 Technical Information Report, which laid the foundation for SAE’s implementation of the standard, was announced just six months later in December 2023. Fast progress was made possible by collaboration with industry stakeholders, including automakers and charging providers, as well as support from government agencies, including the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation.

With an emphasis on compatibility, SAE J3400 will advance an interoperable charging network that will make it easier for drivers to access charging infrastructure without the need for multiple adaptors or proprietary systems. In addition to benefiting EV drivers, the standard will help to ensure that any supplier or manufacturer will be able to use, manufacture, or deploy the J3400 connector for EVs and charging stations across North America allowing companies to innovate within a framework that meets performance expectations, benefiting consumers with reliable and compatible products.

The SAE Hybrid-EV J3400 NACS Electric Vehicle Coupler Task Force is led by experts representing diverse aspects of EV charging efforts including OEMs, suppliers, charger companies, infrastructure, academia and government. The task force has prioritized efforts around SAE J3400 to ensure market readiness of charger adoption across industry and will continue to push forward with rapid revisions to provide responsive and innovative standards for EV power transfer.