Automakers to agree on standard for plug-in cars

Automakers are expected to agree this week to use the SAE J1772 five-pin charging system and coupler as the standard connection for plug-in vehicles.

(Credit: SAE International)

The Society of Automotive Engineers International, the organization that sets the standard for aerospace and automotive industry technology, will vote this week to make the SAE J1772 charging system and coupler the standard connection for plug-in vehicles, according to a General Motors executive.

Britta Gross, director of GM's Global Energy Systems, shared the news during a live Web chat at GM's Fastlane blog on Tuesday evening.

"As Jon Lauckner said this morning, the Volt comes with a 120-V charger and if you can find a normal outlet, you can charge the Volt," Gross said.

She went on to add that all major automakers will eventually equip cars with the same charging coupler when their respective plug-in cars in the pipeline reach the consumer market because a standard agreement was being reached.

"Yes, GM's Gery Kissel is chair of the SAE J1772 standards committee. The standard is going to a vote this week after two and a half years of work. All major automakers are expected to agree to adhere to these charging standards. All infrastructure that goes in from now on should be J1772 compliant so all plug-in vehicles can use it," Gross said.

Gross is referring to the SAE J1772 or SAE electric vehicle conductive charging cable and coupler which has five pins and can be used with 120V or 240 V single phase electrical systems.

The agreement would allow charging stations throughout the world to plug in to any standard plug-in vehicle in the same way nozzles at gas stations are standardized to fit gas- or diesel-powered vehicles, respectively.

[dwinks]

This seems like bad news. This connector is only rated for 16.8kW. This means VERY long recharge times. Hopefully they don't standardize on a tickle-style charger like this, as it will not allow for future battery (or supercapacitor) technologies to be charge in a couple minutes, which is the eventual goal. Without the ability to drive 200+ miles, stop and within 4 to 5 minutes be able to leave with a completely recharge battery, there will always be a need for fossil fuel power.

Something along the lines of 500kW or so would be sufficient for rapid charging, and as it's merely a connector, it makes much more sense to future-proof it.

[libertyforall1776]

How stupid to have not selected an existing standard electrical plug!

[baconstang]

The problem with a standard power connector is people may buy one at Loews and think they know how to wire it up. If done incorrectly, the results could be drastic.

[wcunning]

Also, J1772 has pins for feeding data, so that the car's computer can know how much electricity is available from the charger, and the charger's computer can know the state of the car's battery, and more intelligently control the electricity flow to maximize battery life and charge rate.