The Next Era of AC Charging: How J3400 and J3068 Could Shape Future Opportunities for Public Sites and Fleets

If you follow EV infrastructure news in the United States, it can feel like DC fast charging is the only part of the conversation. It gets the headlines, the funding announcements, and most of the attention. But behind the scenes, AC charging is evolving in meaningful ways.

Two emerging standards, J3400 and J3068, are creating pathways for new types of AC charging solutions. These standards are still early in their rollout, so the benefits described here represent future possibilities rather than guaranteed outcomes. Even so, the potential is worth paying attention to because it could change how public sites, commercial buildings, and fleets think about charging.

J3400: A Familiar Connector That Opens the Door to New AC Capabilities

Much of the J3400 conversation so far has focused on automaker adoption and DC fast charging. But the AC side of the standard includes several features that could expand what AC charging looks like in the U.S.

1. Bring Your Own Cable (BYOC)

The J3400 standard supports socketed AC charging, where drivers bring their own charging cable. This is common practice in Europe and the UK, but in the U.S., it simply never developed. The key reason, BYOC was never really an option under AC charging standards in the US.

The previous AC standard (J1772) was designed around tethered cables. As a result, site hosts had no way to deploy socketed AC hardware, consumers were never introduced to the idea of keeping their own cable, and the concept never entered the U.S. charging conversation.

With J3400, the BYOC model becomes technically feasible for the first time. If the U.S. begins adopting this model, there could be potential benefits such as lower maintenance costs, smaller pedestal designs, reduced vandalism, and improved uptime.

2. Potential for Higher-Power AC Charging Through 277V

J3400 can technically support 277-volt single-phase AC, a common commercial voltage. If adopted, this could lead to:
- Higher AC charging speeds (shorter charge times)
- More efficient use of existing commercial electrical infrastructure
- More economical installations using existing circuits and voltages

J3068: Three-Phase AC Charging for Fleets and Commercial Sites

J3068 is an AC three-phase charging standard supporting power in the 20 to 86 kW range depending on configuration. This positions it between conventional Level 2 and DC fast charging.

This architecture aligns closely with how AC charging is deployed across most of the world (three-phase AC), making it a proven and globally supported mid-power charging solution.

Key advantages for light- and medium-duty fleets:
- Lower installation cost compared to DCFC
- Lower-cost hardware
- Leverages existing commercial 3-phase power
- Economical use of existing site infrastructure
- Simpler maintenance and fewer complex components
- Better alignment with predictable fleet dwell times
- Improved total cost of ownership

How These Two Standards Work Together

Together, the standards broaden the landscape of AC charging:
- J3400 may enable simpler, lower-cost public AC charging, BYOC models, and potentially faster single phase AC charging through 277V.
- J3068 may unlock even higher-powered AC charging for fleet depots and commercial environments maximizing existing three-phase power infrastructure and minimizing infrastructure costs.

What This Could Mean for Stakeholders

Public Agencies:
- Lower-cost AC options for curbside deployments
- Fewer maintenance concerns with BYOC
- Greater flexibility in expanding public charging access

Commercial Properties:
- Economical use of existing 277V circuits
- Scalable AC options for employees and tenants
- Reduced maintenance cycles

Fleets:
- A practical middle ground between Level 2 and DCFC
- Lower upfront hardware and installation costs
- Leverages existing 3-phase distribution
- Fits fleet dwell-time patterns naturally

A Realistic, Forward-Looking View

Many of these capabilities are already being piloted, and organizations across the industry, including fleets, facility owners, and third party service providers, are beginning to evaluate how J3400 and J3068 fit into their future plans. Mass adoption will depend on hardware availability, OEM integration, regulatory alignment, utility program support, and clear market demand. Even so, these standards introduce meaningful flexibility and new tools that can support smarter and more cost-efficient AC charging strategies as the industry moves from early pilots into broader deployment.

Conclusion

AC charging is advancing quickly, and the introduction of J3400 and J3068 will help shape where the market goes next. These standards expand what is possible through Bring Your Own Cord models, higher-power AC on 277 volt circuits, and the significantly higher-power three phase charging enabled by J3068. Together, they create new opportunities for public charging, commercial properties, and fleet operations.

Choosing the right AC strategy can improve cost, reliability, and long-term scalability. StrategEV works with fleets, property owners, and municipalities to simplify this process and design solutions that meet both current needs and future goals.

Reach out to StrategEV to explore your options and build a smart, future ready AC charging plan.