Electric vehicle charging socket interface standard
1, Combo
The Combo socket can allow slow charging and fast charging of electric vehicles. It is currently the most widely used socket type in Europe, including Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Ford, GM, Porsche and Volkswagen all equipped with SAE ( The charging interface developed by the American Society of Automotive Engineers).
On October 2, 2012, the SAE?J1772 revision draft voted by the SAE related committee members became the only official DC charging standard in the world. The introduction of this standard is to change the status quo of the mixed charging system and to enhance consumers’ enthusiasm for purchasing electric vehicles. The core of the standard for DC fast charging based on the revision of J1772 is Combo?Connector.
The previous version of the standard (made in 2010) specified the specifications of the basic J1772 connector for AC charging, with lower charging levels (AC Level?1 for 120V, Level?2 for 240V). This basic connector is widely used today and is compatible with Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt, and Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric vehicles. In addition to all the original functions, the Combo? Connector in the new version of the J1772 standard formulated in 2012 has two more pins, which can be used for DC fast charging, but it is not compatible with the current production of old electric vehicles.
Pros: The biggest benefit of the Combo?Connector is that in the future automakers can use a socket on their new models, not only for the first-generation, smaller-sized basic AC connectors, but also for the first The second-generation Combo? Connector, which is larger in size, can provide both DC and AC currents, charging at two different speeds.
Disadvantage: Fast charging mode requires a charging station to provide up to 500 volts and 200 amps of current.
2, CHAdeMO
CHAdeMO is short for CHArge?de?Move, which is Japanese CHAdeMO sockets supported by Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors, CHAdeMO translated from Japanese means “charging time is as short as a coffee break”. This DC fast charging socket can provide a maximum charging capacity of 50kw.
The EV models that support this charging standard include: Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid, Citroen C-ZERO, Peugeot iON, Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Mitsubishi MINICAB- MiEV, Mitsubishi MINICAB-MiEV truck, Honda Fit electric version, Mazda DEMIO? EV, Subaru Stella plug-in hybrid, Nissan eEV200, etc. It should be noted here that Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric vehicles have two different charging sockets, one of which is suitable for the basic J1772 connector, which is the Combo connector introduced in the first part; the other is suitable for Japan’s native CHAdeMO standard connector.
The fast charging method adopted by CHAdeMO is shown in the figure, and the current is controlled by the CAN bus signal of the car. That is, while monitoring the battery status, the current value required for charging is calculated in real time, and a notification is sent to the charger through the communication line; the fast charger receives the current command from the car in time and provides the current according to the specified value.
The battery management system monitors the battery status and controls the current in real time, fully realizing all the functions required for fast and safe charging, ensuring that charging is not limited by the universality of the battery. In Japan, 1,154 quick chargers installed according to the CHAdeMO standard have been put into use. In the United States, CHAdeMO’s charging stations have also been widely “cast the net”. The latest data from the US Department of Energy shows that there are 1,344 CHAdeMO AC fast charging stations in the United States.
Advantages: CHAdeMO uses CAN bus as the communication interface in addition to the data control line. Because of its superior noise immunity and high error detection ability, the communication stability and reliability are high. Its good charging safety record has been affirmed by the industry.
Disadvantage: CHAdeMO was originally designed to charge 100 kW with a bulky connector, but only 50 kW in a charging car.
3, Tesla
Tesla cars have a set Its own charging standard claims that it can be fully charged in 30 minutes and can run more than 300 kilometers. Therefore, its charging socket has a maximum capacity of 120kw and a maximum current of 80A.
Tesla currently has 908 Supercharger stations in the United States. In order to enter China, Tesla has also established 7 super charging stations in my country, 3 in Shanghai, 2 in Beijing, 1 in Hangzhou, and 1 in Shenzhen. In addition, in order to better integrate into various regions, Tesla plans to abandon the control of charging standards and adopt the national standards of various countries, which has been implemented in China.
Then here comes the question, although the beneficial effect of Tesla doing this is that Tesla owners can use the huge charging network established under the power of the Chinese government to charge; Tesla has increased product sales. The question is how owners who have already purchased a Tesla model will be able to charge them after the standard has changed. If there is no corresponding solution. The contradictions faced by Tesla owners are: first, they can only charge at the charging stations built before the standard change, and the convenience of charging will not improve over time; the second is to ask Tesla to return the car.
Advantages: Advanced technology and high charging efficiency.
Disadvantages: Contrary to the national standards of various countries, it is difficult to increase sales without compromise; after compromise, the charging efficiency will be reduced, and it is in a dilemma.
4. CCS
In order to change the status quo of chaotic charging interface standards, American and The eight major German manufacturers, Ford, GM, Chrysler, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Porsche, released the joint charging system in 2012. The joint charging system is the CCS standard.
The combined charging system can unify all existing charging interfaces, so that four modes of single-phase AC charging, fast three-phase AC charging, household DC charging and super-speed DC charging can be completed with one interface.
SAE has selected the combined charging system as its standard. In addition to SAE, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) has also announced that it has selected the combined charging system as the DC/AC charging interface, starting in 2017. for all plug-in electric vehicles sold in Europe. Since Germany and China unified the charging standards for electric vehicles last year, China has also joined the European and American camps, bringing unprecedented opportunities for the development of electric vehicles in China. Zinoro 1E, Audi A3?e-tron, BAIC E150EV, BMW i3, Denza, Volkswagen e-up, Changan Yidong EV and Smart?EV all belong to the “CCS” standard camp.
Advantages: BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen, the three German automakers, will increase their investment in electric vehicles in China, and the CCS standard may be more beneficial to China.
Disadvantages: EVs that support the “CCS” standard are either sold in small numbers or are just starting to be released.
5. GB/T?20234
China released ” General Requirements for Plugs, Sockets, Vehicle Couplers and Vehicle Jacks for Conductive Charging of Electric Vehicles (GB/T20234-2006), this national standard specifies the connection classification methods for charging currents of 16A, 32A, 250A AC and 400A DC. It mainly draws on the standard proposed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in 2003, but this standard does not specify the number of connection pins, physical size and interface definition of the charging interface. In 2011, China introduced the recommended standard GB/T20234-2011, which replaced some of the contents in GB/T20234-2006, which stipulated that the rated AC voltage should not exceed 690V, the frequency should be 50Hz, and the rated current should not exceed 250A; the DC rated voltage should not exceed 250A. Not more than 1000V, rated current not more than 400A.
Advantages: Compared with the 2006 version of the national standard, more charging interface parameters have been calibrated in detail.
Disadvantage: The standard is still not perfect. In addition, it is only a recommended standard, and it is not enforced.
Car companies in various countries have gradually realized that “standards” are the key factor affecting the development prospects of electric vehicles. We have also seen that in recent years, global charging standards have gradually shifted from “diversification” to “centralization”. However, in order to truly realize the unification of charging standards, in addition to interface standards, current communication standards are also required. The former is related to whether the connectors are matched, and the latter affects whether the plug can be powered on when it is inserted. There is still a long way to go to unify the charging standards for electric vehicles. Both car companies and governments need to further “open their attitudes” before electric vehicles can have a future.
