The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) a report that outlines priority areas where standards and conformance activities are needed to facilitate the safe, effective and large-scale deployment of electric drive vehicles (EDV) in the United States.

The report details findings from the ANSI Workshop, Standards and Codes for Electric Drive Vehicles, which ANSI convened on behalf of DOE and the Idaho National Laboratory. The Code Council is actively participating in the ANSI electric Vehicle Standards Panel (EVSP) that aims to identify standards, gaps, coordination and conformity assessment issues related to the introduction and widespread use of electric vehicles and charging stations in the U.S.

At the workshop, ICC Director of Fire Service Activities Bruce Johnson outlined a number of safety issues that may arise with the development of electric vehicles: system safety including operation and maintenance, hazard identification and labeling, useful life of products, and how to best address new technologies.

"Many have asked for expedited permitting for charging stations in homes and commercial and public buildings and spaces," Johnson said. " To have expedited permitting, it is critical that issues and concerns related to higher voltage systems, potential gasses released during charging and related ventilation issues, and fire and emergency procedures be addressed."

ICC also will participate in the subgroup addressing the intersection of charging stations and accessibility issues, which involves the ICC A-117 Standard for Accessible Buildings and Facilities.

The ANSI EVSP is expected to produce a roadmap by the end of 2011 that will identify relevant existing standards and codes, codes and standards in development, and gaps in such codes and standards, as well as the issues of how conformance can or should be shown to such codes and standards.