PowerFlex Achieves CTEP Certification, Setting the Standard for Transparent EV Charging
At PowerFlex, we are constantly innovating our EV charging solutions to ensure reliability, flexibility, and compliance. That’s why we’re proud to announce we’ve received a Certificate of Approval (COA) from the state of California confirming that our top-rated mobile app and web-based Guest Checkout feature comply with the rigorous requirements of the California Type Evaluation Program (CTEP).
What This Means for PowerFlex & Our Customers
The PowerFlex EV charging network is hardware agnostic, and achieving CTEP certification validates the flexibility of our platform. Our CSMS software can now seamlessly integrate and manage CTEP-certified EV chargers from any vendor that has already been granted a COA.
For our customers, this means ultimate flexibility, as you are not locked into a single hardware manufacturer to remain compliant with California law. You can choose the best-in-class chargers that fit your site’s specific needs, knowing that the PowerFlex software managing them is fully certified to handle commercial transactions accurately and legally.
Bottom line: This gives our clients more control over their equipment choices while ensuring their EV charging projects are future-proofed against evolving regulations.
What Is CTEP?
The California Type Evaluation Program is a state-mandated certification process designed to ensure that any device used for commercial weighing or measuring is accurate and fair. Just as a gas pump must be certified to measure and dispense gasoline, EV charging systems must be certified to do the same for electricity.
Under CTEP, there is a difference between certifying EV charging hardware and software:
- EVSE Certification applies to the physical charging station (electric vehicle service equipment). It ensures the internal meter accurately measures the kilowatt-hours delivered to the vehicle.
- CSMS Certification pertains to the charging station management system (CSMS), which is part of the software backend. Since the CSMS is responsible for displaying the price, calculating the final cost, and providing the receipt, it must be CTEP-certified to ensure the data the driver sees matches what the hardware measured.
By certifying our CSMS, PowerFlex ensures that the entire transaction — from the moment you scan a QR code to the moment you receive your digital receipt — meets California’s strict "legal for trade" standards.
PowerFlex’s CTEP-Compliant Features
Achieving this certification meant implementing specific features designed to protect the consumer and improve auditability. Key elements of our certified system include:
- Clear Version Identification: To ensure inspectors and users know they are using a certified version of our software, the PowerFlex App and Guest Checkout now clearly display their model designation and version numbers on the login and idle screens.
- Comprehensive Event Logging: Transparency requires accountability. PowerFlex maintains a detailed event log that records every metrologically significant change made to the App or Guest Checkout. This log is publicly accessible on PowerFlex’s corporate website, allowing for a permanent audit trail of software updates.
- Enhanced Pricing Transparency: Our system now includes explicit time-of-use (TOU) rate disclosures. If the utility rate is scheduled to change during a session, the user is notified and must accept the pricing structure before charging can begin. Furthermore, energy delivery is now expressed with four decimal points for maximum precision.
Contact Us to Learn More
We are committed to providing a reliable and transparent EV charging experience for both the drivers who use PowerFlex-enabled chargers and the site owners who partner with us to deploy them. Contact PowerFlex today for more about our CTEP-certified solutions and how we can help your organization implement a reliable and compliant EV charging project on your property.
