Finnish charging infrastructure manufacturer Kempower has received the coveted “Electrical Testing Laboratories” (ETL) certification from Intertek Testing Laboratories, clearing the way for production initiation at its new facility in Durham County, North Carolina. The certification allows Kempower to manufacture and sell NEVI-compliant (National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure) fast chargers for electric cars, trucks, buses, and industrial machinery in the United States.
The “ETL listed” designation attests that Kempower’s charging stations have undergone rigorous testing by Intertek, ensuring compliance with accepted national standards. This certification serves as a crucial marker for customers, retailers, and distributors, affirming that Kempower’s products meet the requisite quality and safety standards.
Marcus Suvanto, Director of Operations & Business Development at Kempower North America, anticipates a surge in preorders for 2024 following the ETL certification. The objective is to attain production levels comparable to Kempower’s primary plant in Lahti, Finland, which produced approximately 10,000 charging points in 2022.
Tim Joyce, President of Kempower North America, expressed the significance of ETL certification, stating, “This is a major milestone for our company, specifically for production that can now officially take place here at our production site in Durham. ETL certification gives Kempower authorization to produce and ship complete charging stations from our new facility, opening a door for large-scale mass production and distribution.”
Concurrently, in Finland, Kempower has commenced operations at its newly established research center, the Electric Mobility Research Centre (EMRC), situated on the campus of LUT University in Lahti. Announced in June, the EMRC aims to bolster Kempower’s growth strategy by facilitating product development and research initiatives.
CTO Mikko Veikkolainen emphasized the pivotal role of research and development in Kempower’s trajectory since its establishment in 2018. The EMRC, equipped with unique field data and LUT University’s resources, positions Kempower to anticipate the evolving needs of electric vehicle (EV) drivers and continue delivering reliable and user-friendly EV charging solutions globally.