There are three primary types of EVSE to vehicle connections: Contact online >>
There are three primary types of EVSE to vehicle connections:
They come in various forms, including standalone boxes, wall-mounted units, pedestals, and towers.
Before we can talk about connectors, we need to talk about charging speeds. There are 3 "levels" of charging, using different methods and resulting in different speeds:
* Level 1 (slowest)* Level 2 (medium speed)* DC Fast or unofficially "Level 3" (Fastest)
Level 2 is the best way to charge at home. You may have a 240v outlet in your home already, these are the bigger outlets that often power electric ovens and clothes dryers. If you have one of these near where you park, like an outlet meant for laundry in the garage, you may be able to buy a plug-n-play EVSE cable to use that existing outlet (again, check with an electrician to be sure suitable and in good health).
If you don''t have one of these outlets in your home, you can hire an electrician to install one, or hardwire a 240v EVSE wall charger. The cost of this will depend on how much extra power capacity your home has, and where power needs to be run to reach your parking area. It can cost anywhere from $500 to $5000 depending on your circumstance. Luckily there are many incentives available from state and local government as well as power utilities on the installation of this equipment, so be sure to check for incentives near you.
Level 2 isn''t just in the home, it''s also the most popular plug in public. These plugs can be found in the parking lot of grocery stores, office buildings, hotels, etc. keep in mind, they''re not that fast. They are more meant for topping up while you''re running errands.
Side note: why 80%? You''ll often see charge times listed up to 80%, because an EV charges much faster between 0-80%. After 80%, the speed drops way down. In fact, the final 20% charge can take just as long as the initial 80%, so it makes sense to charge only to 80% unless you REALLY need 100% of your range in that moment.
Level 1 is slow. It''ll charge a full EV in days.Level 2 is medium. It''ll charge a full EV in hours.DC Fast is fast. It''ll charge a full EV in minutes.
Now that we understand the 3 levels of speed, let''s talk about connectors.
In North America, an EV will have one of four different connectors:
- NACS (Tesla)- CCS- J-1772- CHAdeMO
Let's take a look at each...
Short for "North American Charging Standard", NACS is a connector developed by Tesla. While other cars use different connectors for Level 2 and DC Fast charging, the NACS connector does both. Tesla calls their Level 2 chargers "Destination Chargers" and their DC Fast chargers "Superchargers". Up until recently, only Tesla cars had NACS connectors, and only Tesla cars could use Tesla Superchargers (other cars COULD use slower level 2 destination chargers with an adapter). This is changing in a big way, and we are right in the middle of a major transition.
Starting in 2025, every major automaker will begin to use the NACS connector. That means it''s not just Tesla anymore, and it means that North America will finally have a unified connector going forward. In the meantime, things are a bit complicated.
As for everyone else, it''s a mixed bag. Ford and Rivian already have access to Tesla''s charging network, though their vehicles need to use an adapter. All other automakers will be gaining access at some point between now and the end of 2025, one automaker at a time. Once access is granted to an automaker, cars that do not have the NACS connector will need to use an adapter.
Just to complicate things a bit more, a very limited number of Tesla Superchargers have been opened up to any EV. These are called "Magic Dock" locations and they have an adapter installed right on the charging station itself. These can be found using the Tesla app.
But wait, there''s more complication. Not all of these non-Tesla vehicles can use all Tesla chargers. Some older Tesla units use a different communications protocol, preventing any non-Tesla from using it. It''s only Tesla''s newer "V3" and up charging units that can be used by other EVs. Luckily, that''s the majority of them. Of Tesla''s over 17,000 plugs in North America, over 12,000 are V3 or up.
Almost every car that isn''t a Tesla currently uses CCS or J-1772. We mention these plugs together, because they work together; J-1772 is one half of the CCS plug connector. You see, J-1772 is for Level 2 charging only. CCS (short for "Combined Charging Standard") takes the J-1772 connector and combines it with an extra connection that allows DC Fast charging. That means cars with the CCS port can natively use the slower J-1772 without an adapter.
CHAdeMO is an old standard that is being phased out. It was a standard that was championed by Japanese automakers, and popularized in North America by the Nissan Leaf. There are a few other older models of EV that may have the CHAdeMO port, including models from Mitsubishi and Honda. This phasing-out may accelerate soon, as many charging units that currently offer a choice of CCS or CHAdeMO connector will likely swap their CHAdeMO plugs for NACS plugs instead. Be cautious buying an older EV with a CHAdeMO port, as these charging stations will only get harder to find from here.
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) refers to the infrastructure and components essential for charging electric vehicles (EVs). Often known as charging stations, charging docks, or simply chargers, EVSE provides power supplies to recharge electric vehicle batteries. This comprehensive system includes charging stations, connectors, cables, and control systems, all meticulously designed to deliver electricity safely and efficiently to EVs.
From housings to connectors, let''s look at the essential elements that power EVSE.
Housing/EnclosureEVSE housings are designed in various configurations to meet diverse charging needs. Standalone boxes are commonly employed for home charging setups, offering a compact and user-friendly solution. Wall or pedestal-mounted enclosures provide flexibility for multi-family residential, workplace, and other public charging environments, ensuring accessibility and convenience. Towers, prevalent at public charging stations or commercial fleet depot locations, consolidate multiple charging points into a single structure, optimizing space and resources. These enclosures are typically constructed using durable materials such as weather-resistant plastics or metals, safeguarding essential EVSE components from environmental elements.
FirmwareThe firmware embedded within EVSE components serves as the brains behind the charging operation, enabling advanced functionalities and ensuring compatibility with a wide range of electric vehicles. This microcode governs various aspects of charging management, including initiating and terminating charging sessions, implementing cybersecurity measures to protect against unauthorized access or tampering, and facilitating communication between the EVSE and the vehicle’s onboard systems.
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