At the CharIN Testival North America 2025, Chroma’s EV & EVSE charging test solution stood out among numerous international participants, winning third place in the test equipment category. This event is one of the world’s premier platforms for electric vehicle (EV) charging interoperability testing. Jointly hosted by CharIN and the American Center for Mobility (ACM) in Michigan, U.S., it brought together over 300 industry experts from OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, charging equipment manufacturers, test equipment providers, and certification bodies. The event focused on hands-on testing and technical exchanges for the North American Charging Standard (NACS, also known as SAE J3400), aiming to accelerate the standardization and implementation of EV charging systems.
The test activities were planned and evaluated by the U.S. Department of Energy’s ChargeX Consortium, comprehensively verifying the performance and stability of Chroma’s test system in key areas such as charging interoperability, Plug & Charge, and safety. The results served as proof of Chroma’s technological maturity and international presence in the EV charging test field.
Persistent Hurdles in EV–EVSE Interoperability
Interoperability issues between EVs and charging stations remain a critical barrier to widespread adoption. The main challenges include:
- Standardization and diversity of charging interfaces
Varying national and regional standards, along with diverse functionalities (AC/DC, multi-gun power distribution, electronic locks, temperature monitoring, charging adapter, etc.) increase testing complexity. - Communication protocol compatibility issues
Vehicles and charging stations need to exchange data through communication protocols, including critical information such as payment encryption, charging power/time, and vehicle status. Even with standards like ISO 15118, CHAdeMO, GBT27930, and IEC61851, real-world applications often encounter data exchange failures and compatibility problems. - Smart charging and future technology evolution
New features such as scheduled charging, remote control, bi-directional power transfer (V2G/V2H), wireless charging, smart billing, and Plug & Charge (PnC) further raise testing challenges and demand more rigorous interoperability verification.
Smart Testing for Assured Interoperability
Chroma’s versatile EV and EVSE test solutions handle a wide range of standards to ensure real-world compatibility and safety:
- 2-in-1 Test Platform: Automatically switches between EV and EVSE simulation modes, simplifying the test process
- Multi-Standard Support: Covers all major charging standards including CCS, NACS, GB/T, and CHAdeMO
- Built-in Standard Test Cases: Supports ISO15118, IEC61851, CHAdeMO, GBT2015+, and allows for custom test items
- Supports Bi-Directional Power Transfer Testing: Fully verifies AC/DC and discharge scenarios
- Automated Data Access and Real-Time Monitoring & Analysis: Enhances testing efficiency and report quality
Chroma offers a full range of EV & EVSE interoperability test solutions engineered to help you maintain a leading edge in the global EV industry.