A Review of Electric Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations: Current Status and Future Directions

Abstract

This research study provides a comprehensive review of the current status and future directions of electric vehicle (EV) safety standards and regulations. The study reveals that EVs must meet the same crash safety standards as gasoline-powered vehicles, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ratings. Additionally, NHTSA has developed specific safety requirements for EVs, such as electrical isolation, high voltage interlock loop, and emergency responder training. Battery safety standards are also a critical issue for EVs, as lithium-ion batteries can pose a fire risk if they are damaged or overheated. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has developed a set of standards (J2929) for testing and evaluating the safety of lithium-ion batteries used in EVs. Moreover, multiple charging standards are present in the market, such as CHAdeMO, CCS, and Tesla Superchargers. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) have established standards to ensure the safety and interoperability of EV charging systems. As EVs become more connected, cybersecurity standards are increasingly important, and standards organizations such as SAE and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) are developing standards to address cybersecurity risks. The study further suggests that EVs are expected to be a key platform for the development of autonomous vehicles, and standards organizations are working on developing safety standards for autonomous vehicles, including the testing and validation of autonomous vehicle systems. Environmental standards for sustainable production and disposal of EV batteries are also essential, as the production and disposal of batteries can have negative environmental impacts. Standards organizations are developing standards for the sustainable production and disposal of EV batteries. Finally, the study highlights that developing uniform global standards could help to address barriers to trade and adoption of EVs on a global scale.