This piece is a little technical, but announces an important call for standardisation of EV charging.
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has published new versions of IEC 62196-1 covering general requirements for EV connectors and IEC 62196-2, which standardises the following elements needed for AC charging:
· Type 1 – single phase vehicle coupler (vehicle connector and inlet), for example Yazaki or SAE J1772 (Japan, North America)
· Type 2 – single and three phase vehicle coupler and mains plug and socket-outlet without shutters, for example VDE-AR-E 2623-2-2
· Type 3 – single and three phase vehicle coupler and mains plug and socket-outlet with shutters, for example SCAME plug developed by the EV Plug Alliance.
The above standards build on IEC 61851-1. This conductive charging standard defines four modes of charging an EV from a power source:
· Mode 1 (AC) – slow charging from a standard household-type socket-outlet
· Mode 2 (AC) – slow charging from a standard household-type socket-outlet with an in-cable protection device
· Mode 3 (AC) – slow or fast charging using a specific EV socket-outlet and plug with control and protection function permanently installed
· Mode 4 (DC) – fast charging using an external charger
IEC 62196-1 applies to all four of these modes while 62192-1 applies only to mains charging (Modes 1 to 3). A third standard, IEC 62196-3 is being developed to standardise DC charging (Mode 4). In addition IEC 61851-1 also defines three cable and plug setups which can be used to charge EV’s. Case A, where the cable is permanently attached to the EV. Case B, where the cable is not permanently attached to anything; and Case C where the cable is permanently attached to the charging station.
Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Mercedes Benz declared a few days ago that 'Internal combustion engines' days are numbered'. This points the way to hasten its demise.
