Federal officials are providing more details about the J3400 standard, based on Tesla’s plug design, according to acting Federal Highway Administrator Kristin White, who spoke on Tuesday.
The Tesla-Based J3400 Standard Gains Traction
In October, SAE International, an independent standards organization, officially released the J3400 standard, built around Tesla's charging technology. During a conference hosted by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, White stated:
"In the coming weeks, you will be seeing an update from the federal agencies on what we call the J3400 standard. That will be the standard moving forward, and we’re really happy to report that out."
An FHWA spokesperson later clarified to Electrek that no new rulemaking had been announced. Instead, the existing rule already allows for flexibility regarding J3400, and further clarification will soon be issued. The FHWA plans to release new FAQs and host a webinar on December 17 to explain these updates. Details about the FAQs will be shared publicly once available.
Electrek’s Perspective
As outlined by Jameson Dow last year, the J3400 connector—based on Tesla’s NACS plug—offers multiple advantages, making the federal push for “additional flexibilities” logical. With SAE’s involvement, the standard is now open and no longer exclusive to Tesla.
The benefits of J3400 include:
- Lower installation and operational costs for businesses and multifamily properties.
- Improved interoperability between commercial and personal EVs.
- Expanded opportunities for street-level EV charging solutions.
These advancements are particularly valuable in enhancing the charging experience and infrastructure. For a deeper dive, Jameson Dow's analysis is worth reading.
Integrating J3400 with Existing Standards
Under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, federally funded EV charging stations currently must include at least four CCS ports capable of charging at 150 kW simultaneously. It’s anticipated that the J3400 flexibility will integrate with these requirements rather than replace them outright. This approach ensures that existing CCS-equipped stations remain functional and relevant as the J3400 standard is phased in.
