Global automakers to demo Combined Charging System at EVS26

[CHARGED EVs Mag]

The new charging standard, developed by the International Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), integrates AC and DC charging on a single plug... Newswire >

[MTN Ranger]

That looks a little different than the older prototype.



old:



Note the flattened circle on the top and the plug connector arrangement. So, it will not be backward compatible with older J1772 plugs?!?

[ChrisC]

I believe what you are seeing there is the European version of the plug. That is the IEC 62196 Type 2 connector at the top.

I'm really not sure, but based only on today's report, it seems to be that there will still be two versions of the plug, one like the above for Europe, and one similar but with the top half as a J1772. Are we still going to be faced with different interfaces for Level 1/2 AC charging in North America versus Europe? Or would cars have a J1772 for AC Level1/2 charging, AND then another complete interface like the above for DC fast charging? Separate from the J1772? Ouch.

There's no way that they would expect the US to migrate from J1772 to the IEC connector; that's a non-starter of course and doesn't even deserve any further discussion.

This really needs to get clarified ASAP. As it stands, it doesn't make much sense to me.

I do however have great faith in standards organizations to really try and come up with a solution, so I'm content to wait until next week to hear the detalist. But the truth is that everyone will gnash their teeth over this confusion for the next 5 days. So it needs to get clarified a lot faster. First media outlet to get the details on it gets the page views

(hint hint Charged EV Mag, get on the phone ASAP)

[DonC]

Looks like two different plugs, but so long as the protocol is the same it's not that big of a deal. This is beginning to look like a heck of a standard.

[scottf200]

I believe what you are seeing there is the European version of the plug. That is the IEC 62196 Type 2 connector at the top

Some have stated there will be two version of the top half with the bottom being the "same" for DC. European - the IEC 62196 Type 2 and "USA/etc" - the J1772.
See:
IEC_62196-3_.E2.80.93_DC_Charging - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_621...93_DC_Charging
and
Combined_Charging_System - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_621...harging_System

Combined Charging System
While the target to have only one charging connector has been lost in that the world is split on their main grid system with Japan and North America to choose a single-phase connector on their 100-120/240 Volt grid (Type 1) while the rest of the world including China and Europe is opting for a connector with single-phase 230 Volt and three-phase 400 Volt grid access (Type 2). The SAE and ACEA are trying to avoid the situation for DC charging with a standardization that plans add DC wires to the existing AC connector types such that there is only one "global envelope" that fits all DC charging stations - for Type 2 the new housing is named Combo2.[31]

On the 15th International VDI-Congress of the Association of German Engineers the proposal of a "Combined Charging System" was unveiled on 12. October 2011 in Baden-Baden. Seven car makers (Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen) have agreed to introduce the Combined Charging System in mid-2012.[46][47] This defines a single connector pattern on the vehicle side that offers enough space for a Type 1 or Type 2 connector along with space for a two pin DC connector allowing up to 200 Ampere.

[scottf200]

From GM's media article yesterday.

Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen have agreed to support a harmonized single-port fast charging approach – called DC Fast Charging with a Combined Charging System – for use on electric vehicles in Europe and the United States.

Live charging demonstrations will be conducted during the Electric Vehicle Symposium 26 (EVS26) May 6-9.

The combined charging system integrates one-phase AC-charging, fast three-phase AC-charging, DC-charging at home and ultra-fast DC-charging at public stations into one vehicle inlet. This will allow customers to charge at most existing charging stations regardless of power source and may speed more affordable adoption of a standardized infrastructure.

The International Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has chosen the Combined Charging System as the fast-charging methodology for a standard that incrementally extends the existing Type 1-based AC charging. The standard is to be officially published this summer. ACEA, the European association of vehicle manufacturers has also selected the Combined Charging System as its AC/DC charging interface for all new vehicle types in Europe beginning in 2017.

The charging system design was based on collaborative reviews and analysis of existing charging strategies, the ergonomics of the connector and preferences of U.S. and European customers. The system was developed for all international vehicle markets and creates a uniform standard with identical electrical systems, charge controllers, package dimensions and safety mechanisms.

The system maximizes capability for integration with future smart grid developments through common broadband communication methods regardless of the global location of the charging system. The combined charging approach will reduce development and infrastructure complexity, improve charging reliability, reduce the total cost-of-ownership for end customers and provide low maintenance costs.

Commercially available combined charging units are projected to be available later this year.

All committed OEMs have vehicles in development which will use the Combined Charging System.

The first vehicles to use this system will reach the market in 2013.