Applicability of federal measurement statutes to EV charging stations
Recent initiatives have been introduced by some federal departments, provincial governments and regional municipalities to install advanced transportation technologies such as electric vehicle charging stations or electric vehicle charging stations, as part of a growing trend to invest in clean technology alternatives for consumers. Many of the electric vehicle charging stations being installed are designed with measurement systems involving new technology, which has raised questions about the applicable federal measurement statutes administered and enforced by Measurement Canada to which these devices would be subject.
With respect to the statutory regulation of electric vehicle charging stations, the determination of the application of either the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act (EGIA) or the Weights and Measures Act (WMA) will be largely dependent on the intended use of the measuring device., For example:
- Where an electric vehicle charging station is only intended to be used for the purpose of providing a prepaid service including energy from the charging station on the basis of time, the device would be subject to the legal requirements of the WMA. While timing parking meters, clocks, watches, chronometers, and other timing devices have been given an exemption from the approval and device certification requirements prescribed in section 8 of the WMA, the trader is still responsible to ensure that they provide the purported service on the basis of time to their customer in accordance with subsection 34(1) of the WMA.
- Where an electric vehicle charging station is used to supply electricity sold on the basis of energy (kWh) or time related demand (kW) the device would be considered to meet the legal definition of a “meter” under the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act and would be subject to the legal requirements contained therein (i.e., use of defined units of measurement and mandatory meter type approval, initial verification, reverification and sealing). An owner of a device supplying electricity would also need to be registered with MC as a contractor under the EGIA, and would be subject to the legal requirements and responsibilities that pertain to contractors and meter owners.
If you have questions regarding this bulletin, please contact the Senior Program Officer responsible for electricity measurement.
Source: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/mc-mc.nsf/eng/lm04839.html