For Utilities: Building to Scale
As the transportation sector electrifies, utility grid operators and planners are being asked to do more, and faster.
Whether you’re handling interconnection for heavy-duty fleet charging or implementing managed charging programs, EVCAN is working to provide tools, frameworks, and validation to help you move decisively.
EVCAN is an initiative of Efficiency Forward, a nonprofit that has supported utilities for over a decade by establishing performance thresholds using objective technical requirements and the development of Qualified Product Lists (QPLs) that promote product quality, energy efficiency, cybersecurity, and interoperability. Drawing on this deep experience, EVCAN brings the same rigor and market-tested tools to electric vehicle charging.
We’re not a vendor—we’re a utility ally. We are here to support utilities, keep up with rapidly evolving standards, navigate new product requirements and implement open, interoperable solutions at scale.
As EV adoption surges, utility planners are navigating a more complex customer demand landscape. Fleet operators are requesting megawatts of new capacity at sites that previously drew only a fraction of that. At the same time, transformer capacity is tightening, load shapes are evolving, and distribution upgrades often take years to implement.
Managed charging isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but it is an increasingly valuable tool in the utility planning toolkit. Early pilot programs have shown that charge management systems (CMS) can help shift EV load to periods of higher grid capacity, support cost savings for customers, and reduce pressure on constrained infrastructure.
The future holds even more promise. As technologies like vehicle-to-grid integration mature and CMS capabilities become more standardized, utilities will have greater flexibility to align charging behavior with grid needs and renewable energy availability.
To help utilities evaluate these options today, EVCAN offers an objective Charge Station Management System (CSMS) Specification: a practical framework designed to support managed charging program design and implementation. Program managers can use this framework to define requirements for product capabilities that meet their needs as well as providing reliability for their customers. Explore the Charge Station Management Systems Specification →
The EVCAN Qualified Product List (QPL) is being developed to take the guesswork out of selecting charge management systems. Once launched, it will highlight products that meet clearly defined performance and interoperability standards, helping users across the market make confident, informed choices on charging technology.
The CSMS Specification was developed with input from utility engineers, program designers, and industry experts. Each qualified system undergoes a structured review process based on documentation and validated performance claims, including evaluation against key standards for safety, interoperability, and cybersecurity readiness. Where applicable, certain requirements may also involve third-party testing.
The result will be a transparent, standards-aligned resource that utilities can trust to streamline vendor selection, support regulatory efforts, and design programs that scale.
Identify charge management systems that provide key capabilities for managed charging and documented compliance with the latest industry standards
Compare product capabilities using a consistent, structured evaluation framework
Support procurement and/or regulatory efforts with clear, standards-based product information
Help plan for scalable deployments with tools grounded in real-world utility needs
A searchable, filterable version of the QPL will begin phased rollout in Summer 2025.
EVCAN is currently advised by a growing group of utilities, nonprofit organizations, and community advocacy groups. As we expand, we’re building a national coalition focused on knowledge-sharing by creating space for utilities to exchange program learnings and best practices around EV charging technology deployment.
We are a non-commercial, impartial resource committed to:
Work with us to build the next generation of EV Charging programs to shape the future of smart charging solutions.