EV Charger Test & Research Laboratory

Brief Description about the facility:

The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Division (ERED) at the Central Power Research Institute (CPRI), Bengaluru, hosts a specialized EV Charger Test & Research Laboratory dedicated to the evaluation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This advanced facility is equipped to assess both AC and DC Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), supporting charger capacities up to 22kW (AC) and 50kW (DC). 

Major Product/Equipment tested with applicable standards : 

The EV Charger Test & Research Laboratory is designed to evaluate a wide range of AC and DC Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) or EV charging stations, up to 22kW for AC chargers and 50kW for DC fast chargers. The laboratory can conduct the following assessments as per national and international standards:

• Efficiency testing (overall and partial load)
• Output ripple and voltage/current stability
• Charging performance analysis
• Electrical safety performance verification
• Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing
• Digital communication protocol compliance, covering CCS, CHAdeMO, GB/T, and Bharat chargers

This facility supports testing in line with guidelines and protocols specified in national (e.g., BIS, ARAI) and international (e.g., IEC, ISO) standards, ensuring thorough validation of EV charging products before deployment in the field. The applicable standards for EV charger testing are as follows:

1. IS 17017 (Part 1): 2018- General safety (Electrical, Mechanical, Environmental, Protection, Functional, Charging Performance, and Digital Communication tests)
2. IS 17017 (Part 21/Sec 2)- EMI/EMC Compliance (Harmonics emission, Voltage flicker emission, Conduction emission, and Surge immunity tests)
3. IS 17017 (Part 23)- Only DC EVSE test (DC focused general safety and communication based additional safety tests)
4. IS 17017 (Part 24)- Only DC EVSE test (Digital communication- more than 250 test cases for CCS-2 connectors)
5. Efficiency and Ripple Test- as per CPRI Test procedure
6. CCS Type 1 and Type 2 are the most tested chargers under level 2 and fast charging topologies.

Major tests Carried Out:

1. 22kW AC EV Charger testing for their general safety and efficiency testing as per IS 17017 (Part 1)/IEC 61851-1 standard
2. Power conversion efficiency testing and ripple measurement on 50kW DC EV Charger as per CPRI test procedure
3. Digital communication test on 30kW DC EV Charger as per IS 17017 (Part 23)/IEC 61851-23 & IS 17017 (Part 24)/IEC 61851-24 standards.
4. EMI EMC testing of 22kW AC EV Charger as per IS 17017 (Part 21/Sec 2)/IEC 61851-21-2 standard.

Range of the test ratings possible:

• AC and DC Slow and Fast Chargers rated up to 50 kW, 500V, and 100A capacity.
• Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast chargers
• Single gun chargers

Maximum rating carried out till date

(50kW DC EV Charger)

Test name- Efficiency, General Safety and Digital Communication test on 50kW DC EV Charger   Standard- Efficiency and Ripple Tests as per IS 17017 (Part 1) and IEC 61851-1 standard

Continuous Constant Current Communication Safety Test as per IS 17017 (Part 23)/IEC 61851-23 standard