As electric vehicles become the dominant mode of personal and commercial transport, the standards governing their charging infrastructure are evolving at a pace that demands constant attention from engineers. Having recently delivered a technical talk on this subject at the IEEE Bangalore Section event in March 2026, I wanted to share some key thoughts in writing.
Why Standards Matter More Than Ever
The EV charging ecosystem is not a single technology but a complex interplay of hardware, firmware, communication protocols, and safety systems. Standards like IEC 61851, ISO 15118, and CHAdeMO exist precisely to ensure that a vehicle from one manufacturer can safely and efficiently charge at a station built by another. Without standards, the market fragments, reliability suffers, and consumer trust erodes.
In my work at Panasonic ISAMEA R&D, I have seen firsthand how compliance requirements shape design decisions from the earliest stages of product development. The question is never just "does it charge?" but "does it charge safely, efficiently, and reliably across every edge case the standard mandates?"
"Reliability in EV charging is not an afterthought — it is an architectural decision made at the very first schematic."
Key Standards in Focus
Three standards currently shape the majority of EV charger design decisions globally:
- IEC 61851 — The foundational standard covering conductive charging systems for electric vehicles. It defines control pilot communication, duty cycle signalling, and the fundamental interlock between vehicle and EVSE.
- ISO 15118 — The "Plug & Charge" protocol that enables encrypted digital communication between vehicle and charger, enabling smart charging, V2G (vehicle-to-grid), and automatic authentication.
- IEC 62196 — Covers the physical connector and inlet standards, ensuring mechanical interoperability across regions and power levels.
USB Power Delivery (USB PD) technology is increasingly relevant in lower-power EV charging contexts. A method of power optimization of EV charging using USB PD is the subject of one of my recent patent applications (App# 202521026048), exploring how established consumer electronics charging protocols can inform high-efficiency automotive power design.
Reliability: The Hidden Challenge
Standards compliance is table stakes. The real engineering challenge in EV charging is reliability — particularly in the power electronics stack. The DC-DC converters, PFC stages, and gate driver circuits in a fast charger operate under severe thermal and electrical stress. MOSFET failures remain a leading cause of field returns in DC fast chargers.
My research into preventing catastrophic MOSFET failure in DC-to-DC power converters (Indian Patent App# 202421091097) addresses one dimension of this problem. But the broader point is that reliability must be designed in from the component selection stage, not validated out at the end of development.
What the Next 5 Years Look Like
Several trends will define the EV charging landscape through the end of the decade. Bidirectional charging (V2G and V2H) will move from pilot programmes to mainstream products, requiring a complete rethink of isolation and protection architectures. Ultra-fast charging at 350kW and beyond will push silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs to their thermal limits, demanding novel cooling approaches. And the integration of AI-driven load management will transform static charging infrastructure into dynamic grid assets.
Engineers who understand the standards today will be better positioned to shape — and not merely comply with — the standards of tomorrow.