NASEO Request for Information – North American Charging Standard (NACS) -SAE J3400 Market Readiness and Standardization

The National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) are seeking input from EV Service Providers (EVSPs) and other EV stakeholders regarding their plans to incorporate the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors, currently being standardized as SAE J3400, into their product inventory and associated rollout timelines. This RFI will inform State Departments of Transportation and State Energy Offices' Request for Proposals under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, covered by 23 CFR 680 minimum requirements, and help states plan and futureproof equipment for J3400 connectors.

Responses should address company characteristics and market position, including how long the company has been in business, their role in the EV market, and geographic operational scope. Respondents must provide detailed information on the timeline for J3400 connector product availability, including whether current DCFC products offer NACS connectors, commercial availability dates if not currently offered, and how states will receive updates on rollout progress.

The RFI requires comprehensive technical and operational information covering proposed connector solutions (permanently attached adapters versus separate cables), plans for dual-connector capability (J3400 and CCS ports), retrofit possibilities for existing equipment, supply chain constraints, and Buy America compliance considerations. Respondents must also address costs associated with NACS adoption, including expected connector costs relative to current products, retrofit costs, and strategies for futureproofing existing charging stations. Technical specifications requested include power level support for J3400 connectors, liquid-cooled cable requirements, and over-the-air firmware update capabilities.

Additionally, respondents should address their company's role in J3400 standardization, timeline for production, and recommendations for futureproofing language in RFPs and grant programs. All responses will be published on NASEO's publicly accessible website and distributed to states and the general public; therefore, proprietary information should not be included.