EV Charging Facilities - EV Charging Technology (1)

Editor’s Note: These series are selected from manual Electric Vehicle Community Market Launch Manual: A Guide to Prepare Your Community for Electric Vehicles which was prepared by the Electric Transportation Coalition (ETC) and the Electric Vehicle Association of the Americas (EVAA) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

Equipment standardization is generally not the primary focus of technology developers, due to competition and the need to protect proprietary information. For example, both videotape player/recorders and personal computers are not standardized. EV charging equipment is no exception: a single plug and coupling interface for EV charging has yet to be established. In recent years, however, the industry has agreed on some issues that are pivotal in moving toward uniform charging systems.

This section on EV charging technology outlines the variables infrastructure planners should consider in determining which EV charging technologies are appropriate for the local community. Specifically, this section covers:

  • Standard EV charging levels
  • Conductive and inductive charging systems
  • Communications requirements
  • EV charger design standards
  • Billing systems

Standard EV Charging Levels

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Working Council (IWC), a collaborative effort of the automotive, electric utility and other interested industries, announced in late 1994 the standardization of charging levels for EV. These include:

  • Level 1: Charging that can be done from the standard, grounded 120 volt, 3-prong outlet available in all homes. Because it can involve lengthy charging times. Level 1 is not likely to become the preferred charging option.
  • Level 2: Charging at a 240 volt, 40 ampere charging station with special consumer features to make it easy and convenient to plug in and charge EVs at home or a remote site on a daily basis. Offering greater convenience and shorter charge times than level 1 charging, level 2 is expected to be the primary home and fleet charging option.
  • Level 3: A high-powered charging technology currently under development that will provide a charge in 5-10 minutes (from 80% to 20% depth of discharge), making it analogous to filling the tank of an internal combustion-engine vehicle at a gasoline station.

Voltage and current power levels have not yet been defined for level 3or ‘‘quick’’ charging. However, the industry has standardized the charging time and the amount of the energy transfer. Based on estimated EV battery pack capacities, level 3 chargers will need to be on the order of 50 kW or greater—typically over 100 kW—and should be served by three-phase power, at 208 or 480 volts.

IWC and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) are working to develop common recommended standards and practices for level 3 charging facilities, identify any consumer and utility interface issues, and evaluate the feasibility and necessity for this type of charging.

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August 10, 2008 · Filed Under Electric Car Conversion Blog

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