Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home Joint Office of Energy and Transportation

Industry Alignment for Electric Vehicle Charging and Refueling Infrastructure

The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (Joint Office) is your partner in government to accelerate alternative fueling and transportation projects and bring energy innovation to life. The private sector brings a wealth of expertise and real-world perspective to this space, which the Joint Office helps leverage to develop effective and efficient charging and refueling programs and resources.

electric vehicle charging station

Energy and transportation innovation represent a powerful opportunity for both the private and public sectors to benefit from each other's strengths. We're setting a strong foundation for the future of transportation and mobility in America.

Unleashing Innovation

The Joint Office is kick-starting vital innovations in the private sector. From advancing the development of common connector standards to evolving open-source software solutions and supporting electrical distribution and transmission innovation, the Joint Office is here to catalyze and help scale new mobility and energy technologies. In addition to funding opportunities, the Joint Office has established the standards and frameworks for the electric vehicle (EV) charging industry to innovate on a secure, interoperable foundation and move forward with confidence.

A New Model for Working With Industry

The federal government does not build EV charging and refueling infrastructure alone, and that's why private sector collaboration is so crucial—and why the Joint Office is uniquely designed to accelerate that engagement. We cultivate knowledge and innovation from the private sector to keep our strategies grounded in practical, achievable goals that align with industry realities. We've also handled hundreds of technical assistance inquiries from the private sector to support efficient rollout of effective charging and refueling infrastructure.

Finding Market Fit

Public funding can support charging projects before the financial break-even point so companies can make investments now that will pay off in the long term—giving more people and businesses the confidence to proceed with electrification.

Research shows that most charging happens at home and work, where cars are parked for longer periods of time and energy use is more flexible. Public sector support for approaches such as curbside Level 2 charging is crucial to give more mobility choices to people who can't access charging at home.

Funding Opportunities and Funded Programs

Private sector companies are invited to bid into the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program and Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program opportunities released by states and communities.

The Joint Office has funded innovative approaches to charging and refueling infrastructure and related needs through the following programs:

Resources for Working With the Government: What You Need To Know

For those new to working with the government, there can be a bit of a learning curve. We're here to accelerate that curve, cut red tape, and clarify requirements in the interest of efficient, effective public-private partnerships. The following resources will get you started with understanding requirements for federally funded EV charging projects.

Working With the Government

Federal EV Charging Program Requirements

EV Charging Standards

The Joint Office also supports energy-efficient transit and school buses. These resources provide clarity on relevant programs:

Convening Industry Representatives

To facilitate public and private sector communication about technology trends, opportunities, and challenges, the Joint Office regularly convened the National Charging Experience (ChargeX) Consortium and Electric Vehicle Working Group (EVWG).

  • ChargeX
    The ChargeX Consortium was a collaboration between national labs and organizations representing a cross section of the EV industry to address three EV charging challenges: payment processing and user interface, vehicle-charger communication, and diagnostic data sharing.
  • EVWG
    The EVWG brought together public and private sector representatives to provide recommendations regarding the development, adoption, and integration of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty EVs into the transportation and energy systems of the United States. They coordinated and consulted with any existing federal interagency working groups on fleet conversion or other similar matters relating to EVs.

ChargeX publications are available online.

Developing Standards and Strategy To Guide Investment

The Joint Office also develops strategic frameworks to align public and private sector investment in the future of transportation. Through our standards work, we've established the technical foundation for rapid industry innovation.

  • National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy
    The National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy sets an actionable vision and comprehensive approach to accelerating the deployment of a world-class freight network in the United States. It is an all-of-government approach to align, unlock, and unleash medium- and heavy-duty vehicle infrastructure and bolster electric grid and hydrogen planning.
  • Standards and Reliability
    The Joint Office works to improve charging infrastructure and reliability with a focus on advancing common standards and protocols like J3400, Plug and Charge, and EV metrology, as well as creating a common language for measuring the EV charging user experience.

Through these groups, strategies, standards, and other channels, the Joint Office has created new models for how government works with industry, moving beyond recommendations and white papers to create effective forums for ongoing engagement and the development of practical real-world tools people can use today.

Workforce Development

Investments in innovative transportation and renewable energy technologies are creating good-paying jobs and revitalizing communities across the country. The Joint Office is supporting workforce development efforts across the spectrum, covering positions from electrician apprenticeships to electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) maintenance technicians and software developers for grid interactions.

Learn how the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program and Independent Electrical Contractors Electric Vehicle Charging Station Training Program (IEC Training Advantage) meet the requirements of 23 CFR 680.106(j)(1) for electricians installing, operating, or maintaining EVSE. Most EVSE-related work involves EVSE technicians, who focus on technical installation, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

Learn more about our workforce development efforts at the Joint Office.

Past News

Here's how we've supported energy and transportation innovation for everyday Americans:

Tools

There are many federal tools and resources available to help with planning charging locations, designing charging stations, performing financial analysis, and applying for grants. Businesses can leverage these tools to understand the federal approach and compare with private sector models.

EV Charging Planning

Financial Modeling

Contact Us

Get assistance with specific requests for program requirements and funding opportunities.

Return to top