The Board of Governors at the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Rosslyn, VA, expanded the trade association’s scope to include makers of connected and electrically powered transportation systems. The NEMA Transportation Systems Division will include manufacturers that make transportation management systems such as traffic management controllers and assemblies, dynamic and portable message signs as well as the electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) systems, outdoor and roadway lighting, and energy storage systems.
“U.S. electrical manufacturers are deeply involved in the electrification and digitization of America’s infrastructure, to include roads, rails, air and waterways as well as the electric grid,” said NEMA President and CEO Kevin Cosgriff, in a release. “NEMA and its Member companies are well positioned to play a leading role in the electrification of America’s transportation system, which accounts for 25 percent of total U.S. energy use.”
The new division will be led by NEMA Industry Director Steve Griffith. The NEMA board also made changes to some existing divisions, renaming the Commercial Products Division to the Building Infrastructure Division and renaming the NEMA Utility Products Division, led by Industry Director Jonathan Stewart, as the Utility Products & Systems Division, which will now also include the NEMA Distribution Automation, Energy Storage and Electrical Metering sections.
“The creation of our new division coincides with the coming wave of the connected, electrified vehicle landscape and ultimately including autonomous vehicles of all types,” said Griffith. “As NEMA members represent the “I” in the “V2I” framework (Vehicle to Infrastructure), being more active in this emerging vehicle ecosystem becomes an imperative. This new division will provide growth opportunities in the entire spectrum of transportation such as parking, ports, rail terminals and crossings, and airports.”