Overview
ISO/SAE 12906:2024 - Road vehicles - Test procedures for electric vehicles to determine charging performance - defines standardized test procedures to evaluate the real-world charging performance of electric vehicles (EVs), including plug‑in hybrid EVs. The standard specifies test conditions, test methods and test processes derived from typical use cases to enable clear, reproducible and comparable assessments of EV charging performance using commercially available EV supply equipment (EVSE). Test procedures apply to AC, DC and wireless charging (reverse power transfer is under consideration). Mopeds and motorcycles are excluded.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test cases: Defines at least two principal cases:
- Normal Charge - assesses charging duration, charging efficiency, maximum charging power and recharged electric range within a 60‑minute window (typically AC unless unavailable).
- Fast Charge - targets rapid replenishment (recharged range within 10 minutes) and applies only to EVs supporting > 22 kW maximum charging power; includes SOC‑based tests (e.g., start/end SOC bands).
- Test conditions and reproducibility: Procedures derived from typical use cases to ensure comparability, imitability and reproducibility; includes requirements for EV run‑in, soaking (ambient condition stabilization), measurement tolerances and accuracies.
- Energy and range metrics: Defines terms and calculations such as usable battery energy (UBE), recharged usable battery energy (rUBE), DC energy consumption (EC,DC), remaining electric range and determination of indicated state of charge (SOC).
- Manufacturer information: Vehicle manufacturers must specify required EVSE voltage/current ranges, number of AC phases and charging cable used for tests; operator information requirements are specified to support transparent communication of charging capabilities.
- Special conditions: Annex A addresses low ambient temperature fast‑charge behavior; Annex B provides guidance for heavy‑duty vehicles.
Practical applications
- Enables consistent lab and field testing for OEMs, component suppliers, test labs and regulators to compare charging performance across vehicle models.
- Informs vehicle operator interfaces, owner manuals and manufacturer specifications with reproducible charging metrics (e.g., time to add range, efficiency, max charging power).
- Supports product development, benchmarking, warranty claims assessment, infrastructure planning and EVSE compatibility validation.
Who should use this standard
- Automotive manufacturers and powertrain engineers
- Independent vehicle test laboratories and certification bodies
- Charging station manufacturers and integrators
- Regulators, fleet operators and EV mobility service providers
- Technical writers preparing operator information and specifications
Related standards (informative)
- ISO 6469 series (electrically propelled vehicles)
- ISO/TR 11954:2024 (SOC terminology referenced)
- IEC 61851‑1 (EVSE definitions)
- WLTP/WLTC and relevant ADT (driving test procedures)
- SAE test procedures such as SAE J1634 (mentioned as an example)
Keywords: ISO/SAE 12906, charging performance, EV charging, test procedures, AC DC wireless charging, EVSE, charging efficiency, recharged electric range, maximum charging power, indicated SOC.