Comments on: Eight Automakers Agree On Fast Charging System

By: Robert (electric) Weekley

Robert (electric) Weekley — Mon, 07 May 2012 02:58:03 +0000

The only less than ideal thing I can see from this idea, is the head start of J1772 & CHaDeMo directions. I also wonder if this same plug is an easy fit and upgrade to the current EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment / EV Chargers), that are either a Level 1, or Level 2, as well as those current Level 3 CHaDeMo plug chargers?

If it can be an easy swap - no matter the current power feed (120V, 240V, or 480V), and can also be made easily to adapt to the J1772 stations already, then I think we have a winner!

So glad that it only took a couple years to get to a single plug for 3 charging performance levels!

By: Robert (electric) Weekley

Robert (electric) Weekley — Mon, 07 May 2012 02:06:44 +0000

By: Van

Van — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:15:42 +0000

Before I replaced the receptacles with the three prong version (grounded connector) I had several adapters that would all me to plug in a grounded connector to my old ungrounded receptacles.

It seems it would be duck soup to "invent" a connector adapter to all my vehicle (say a Leaf, or Prius PHV) to mate with the international design. Time will tell.

By: dutchinchicago

dutchinchicago — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:00:22 +0000

@Capt

That is not what Jeff was saying. You are behaving like he is camping out at the only charging station in town.

The current charging stations already show which ones are in use so your GPS can direct you to the closes charging station not in use. If your in car GPS does not do this then there are plenty of smartphone apps that will.

Also remember that most charging is happening at home so you will rarely need to use a public charging station.

I agree with Jeff's point that I rather play angry birds (or get a coffee at startbucks) once a month for 20 minutes than stand in a smelly and noisy gas station for 5 minutes every couple of days.

By: Capt. Concernicus

Capt. Concernicus — Fri, 04 May 2012 11:42:54 +0000

Jeff,

That's just ridiculous. Now the charging station has become a place to hang out, play Angry Birds and do emails and the sorts? That's not what it's about at all. It's get in, fill up and get going. Not a teenage hangout. You're not the only one that needs to be refilled or topped off. It's not about you. That's the problem with people these days. People don't think about the other people around that just want to get in and get out. It's all about me. To heck with everyone else. And that's very apparent when you watch people drive.

By: Jeff Songster

Jeff Songster — Thu, 03 May 2012 23:09:57 +0000

But what if you could sit in the warm car for those 15 minutes hanging out playing angry birds… or using your gps to program the next delivery on your route and answer e-mails from your boss and or loved ones… no sweat right… you don’t have to stand there pumping gas… in the cold… or the summer heat either… you can preheat or chill while charging or on house current… right?

By: Chris C.

Chris C. — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:49:12 +0000

Congrats to HybridCars on the scoop; this is the first I'd heard that the CCS will be demo'd at EVS26 next week.

After reading this report (and doing some searching) what is still completely unclear to me is how this will integrate with J1772. The image in this article shows the European IEC connector. Are we still going to be faced with different interfaces for Level 1/2 AC charging in North America versus Europe?

By: perfectapproach

perfectapproach — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:16:23 +0000

It was nice to see GM in the mix. I think the Volt powertrain has some real promise, and if it spreads to other cars (in the same way as it did with the Cadillac), I think charging stations will become as ubiquitous as gas stations. A smart entrepreneur might consider getting a pay-to-charge charging station at his/her gas station. A standardized charging plug across that many auto manufacturer’s will go a long way to reducing the costs of these charging stations.

By: dutchinchicago

dutchinchicago — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:14:53 +0000

How does compatibility with existing infrastructure work?

Can I use a charging station that has the franken plug in my 2012 Volt?

Can someone who has a car designed for this plug use any of the 9000 charging stations that currently exist?

By: Capt. Concernicus

Capt. Concernicus — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:14:26 +0000

Shines,

I agree, but I'd also like to add that the charging times still need to come down to those of refilling a tank of gas. 15-20 mins. doesn't seem like much on a nice summer day, but on a bad winter day in Chicago, 15-20 mins. is about 10-15 mins. too long.