SAE Approves New EV Charger Standard

by Derek Kreindler

October 16th, 2012 9:20 PM

The SAE unveiled their latest standard for quick-charging electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids that could cut charging times to as short as 20 minutes.

The new standard, called “ Think of the two standards as VHS and Betamax.

While CHAdeMo is in use already on cars like the Mitsubishi i and Nissan Leaf, Combo has the backing of the American and European OEMs. Either way, the consumer has the most exposure to the downside on this one.

#Chademo #Combo #ComboCharging #ElectricVehicle #EV #FastCharging #Plug-inHybrids #SAE

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8 of 27 comments

Icemilkcoffee on Oct 17, 2012

Well- Toyota is the big dog in this market. Which standard is Toyota going with?

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- Advance_92 on Oct 17, 2012
  
  Whatever Sony's using!
  
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Robert Schwartz on Oct 17, 2012

"Level 2 charging (using 220 volts, with a charge time of 3 hours)" Watts = Volts X Amps. The standard household oven line is fused at 30 Amps. In 3 hours, it can delver 19.8 KWh. Most BEVs claim 3 to 5 mi per KWh. So, this charge would be for 60 to 100 mi. YMMV. "The ultimate goal for Level 3 charging is that it will take 10 minutes." So you will need to increase Amperage or Voltage by a combined factor of 18. The thickest cable at the Lowes is for 660 Volts, so you would need 1800 Amp service. Will you need to wear safety equipment while handling stuff like that?

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- Aristurtle on Oct 17, 2012
  
  Again, Level 3 charging is not for your house, it's for quick-charging stations analogous to gas stations. You're not going to be buying this stuff at Lowes, any more than the guy running the corner 7-11 is buying a high-flow gasoline pump there. And, of course, the customer will be wearing the same safety equipment you currently wear when dispensing your explosive, carcinogenic liquid fuel, i.e. none.
  
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Darkhorse on Oct 17, 2012

Whoever wins the standars battle, will manufactures offer conversion kits to the winner? Or do you throw the non-standard car away like I did my Betamax in the 80s?

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- Th009 on Oct 17, 2012
  
  If you end up on the losing side, you'll be without Level 3 charging capability. Just like you are today.
  
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Rwb on Oct 17, 2012

Dare you to lick it.

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- SCE to AUX on Oct 17, 2012
  
  You could lick that charging connector all you want. Part of the standard is a requirement to NOT energize the plug until a signal is received down one of the other wires, to indicate it is plugged in to the vehicle. This would be similar to the way an elevator won't move unless the door is closed.
  
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