---
title: "What payment and interoperability rules apply to federally funded EV chargers? Answer in under 100 words. Cite only eCFR (www.ecfr.gov) sources."
canonical: https://www.m-i-n-d.ai/minds/ev-charging/ev-charger-payment-interoperability
jurisdiction: "US Federal"
last_verified: 2026-08-28
license: CC BY 4.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
attribution: "Source: MIND (m-i-n-d.ai)"
---

# What payment and interoperability rules apply to federally funded EV chargers? Answer in under 100 words. Cite only eCFR (www.ecfr.gov) sources.

Federally funded EV chargers under 23 CFR § 680.106 (2023) must offer secure, accessible payment methods—including contactless debit/credit acceptance plus either an automated toll-free phone number or SMS to initiate and pay for a session—without requiring membership or throttling power by payment type. Each charger must be certified by an OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory, AC Level 2 units must carry ENERGY STAR certification, and DCFC and AC Level 2 units should meet applicable Underwriters Laboratories (UL) equipment standards.

## Details / How it works

Under 23 CFR § 680.106 (2023), unless charging is permanently free, every federally funded station must (1) provide a contactless payment method accepting major debit/credit cards and either an automated toll-free number or SMS to start a session and submit payment; (2) not require membership; (3) not delay, limit, or curtail power flow based on payment method or membership; and (4) provide access for limited-English-proficient users and people with disabilities, with toll-free and SMS options clearly identifying payment access. Equipment must be certified by an OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory, all AC Level 2 chargers must be ENERGY STAR certified, and DCFC and AC Level 2 chargers should be certified to the appropriate UL standards for EV charging system equipment.

## Numbers & thresholds

| Requirement | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Minimum payment methods (unless free) | Contactless debit/credit + (automated toll-free phone OR SMS) |
| AC Level 2 charger certification | ENERGY STAR (mandatory) |
| DCFC power per port (AFC locations) | ≥ 150 kW continuous, 250–920 V DC |
| AC Level 2 power per port | ≥ 6 kW continuous, J1772 connector |
| Minimum charging ports per station | 4 (DCFC at AFCs; DCFC and/or AC Level 2 elsewhere) |
| Connector standard for DCFC | CCS Type 1 (mandatory); CHAdeMO allowed only with FY2022 NEVI Funds |
| Connector standard for AC Level 2 | J1772 |
| Equipment testing lab | OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory |
| Long-term stewardship | ≥ 5 years from initial operation |

## Exceptions & edge cases

CHAdeMO connectors may be provided at DCFC charging ports only when funded with FY2022 NEVI Funds; other federal funds cannot be used for CHAdeMO. Charging stations not on a designated Alternative Fuel Corridor need only be accessible during the site host's business operating hours, while AFC-sited stations must be available 24/7. Isolated or temporary interruptions from maintenance, repairs, vandalism, natural disasters, electric utility service interruptions, or scheduled maintenance are excluded from the § 680.116 uptime calculation.

## Sources

- [1] U.S. Government Publishing Office / Federal Highway Administration — 23 CFR 680.106 — Interoperability, payment and reliability requirements for EV charging infrastructure · https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-23/section-680.106 · as of 2026-08-28
- [2] U.S. Government Publishing Office / Federal Highway Administration — 23 CFR 680.116 — Data submittal requirements for federally funded EV charging stations · https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-23/section-680.116 · as of 2026-08-28
- [3] U.S. Government Publishing Office / Federal Highway Administration — 23 CFR 680.104 — Installation, operation and maintenance standards for federally funded EV chargers · https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-23/section-680.104 · as of 2026-08-28