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Charging Station standards

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Interesting article, but I think it paints a simple picture.

I think PSA's (that's Peugeot and Citroen) decision to rebadge the i-MiEV has muddied the waters about a common European standard. The last thing we need is a standards war among charging stations.

(Funny Evan Tuer turns up here - I'm dropping by to see his Li-ion upgraded Peugeot 106 this Saturday.)
 

Thanks, vfx. Lots of interesting tidbits in this article.

While most major auto makers would like a global standard, it is unlikely to happen, as Japan and the U.S. already are moving toward their own protocols. And even if Europe reaches agreement, wall sockets differ from country to country within the continent.
It's news to me that most auto makers want a global standard. They should make more noise about it. Feels like they've been content to allow two standards emerge.

But fast charging will create heat, require special heavy cables and, if used often, will shorten the life of an expensive battery, says Bernard Sahut, PSA’s innovation sub-domain manager. The auto maker believes the goal during the introduction of EVs should be to keep things simple.
I agree we should keep things simple, but it shouldn't be that hard to use a standard that is forward looking. I think the Mennekes connector it quite versatile and is not terribly complicated. It can do low power all the way up to 43 kW in the same form factor.

It's seems kinda silly to me that Mitsubishi and Nissan appear to be going with two separate connectors (the Yazaki J1772 and the "50kW" one) for the utility that can be found in the single connector the Germans are using.

“You need a (common) plug at the network, and the cable to the car could be different for each auto maker,” [French-utility EDF’s] Gagnol says. “There is no need that the connection at the vehicle be the same.”
This is incredibly short sighted.

“Those [RWE Mennenkes] connections will cost €150 ($225) each,” says PSA’s Grivaux. “What will they say when someone drives over their plug in the garage and they go to the dealer for a new one (that costs) €300 ($450)?”
The connectors are unlikely to be that expensive and they're designed to withstand being driven over.

Today, the RWE socket would be illegal in France, because it does not have built-in child proofing. So even if the EV world is moving fast, it would not be surprising to see full standardization take a slower route, arriving later than sooner.
French protectionism.
 
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Also;

Those connections will cost €150 ($225) each,” says PSA’s Grivaux. “What will they say when someone drives over their plug in the garage and they go to the dealer for a new one (that costs) €300 ($450)?

I'd be amazed if they are a tenth of that.

This shows pricing for the nearest equivalent Mennekes 60309 connector. You can see how the discount scales: Mennekes | Connectors | Electrical/Power | BS4343/IEC309 Industrial and Accessories | Mennekes PowerTOP |3258
 
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For Immediate Release

NISSAN NORTH AMERICA SELECTS AEROVIRONMENT TO INSTALL

HOME-CHARGING STATIONS FOR NISSAN LEAF

Agreement part of one-stop shop experience for EV purchase process

DETROIT (Jan. 11, 2010) – Nissan North America (NNA) today announced its selection of AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) (AV) to supply electric vehicle home-charging stations and installation services supporting the introduction of the zero-emission, all-electric Nissan LEAF later this year.

The Nissan LEAF five-passenger electric car will be powered by an advanced, lithium-ion battery pack that will provide a drive range of 100 miles on a full charge, as measured by the LA4 test cycle. AV’s Nissan-branded charging stations will be available at the sale of each Nissan LEAF as part of the vehicle’s total driving system. The home-charging stations are designed to provide a safe and reliable charge when installed with a connection to a 220-volt line. It will take eight hours to fully charge the Nissan LEAF from a fully discharged state.

Home charging will represent a highly convenient charging method for the Nissan LEAF customer. AV’s nationwide network of qualified, licensed electricians will offer pre-installation home assessment services prior to vehicle delivery, and will install the charging stations.

“Nissan is committed to bringing zero-emission mobility to the United States, and around the world,” said Carlos Tavares, Chairman, Nissan Americas. “A part of that commitment is delivering a one-stop shop experience for the new car owner, which is why we chose AeroVironment. As a result of our selection, drivers of the Nissan LEAF will be able to charge their vehicles safely overnight at their own homes.”

“By introducing a practical electric passenger and fleet vehicle, Nissan is moving boldly to link driving with zero emissions and energy independence,” said Tim Conver, AV’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Our selection as Nissan’s preferred charging equipment and service provider, for what we believe will be the largest adoption of battery electric cars in history, represents a great opportunity to apply our nationwide EV charging infrastructure solutions to the successful introduction of the Nissan LEAF. We are committed to making those who purchase a Nissan LEAF and our universal home charging system successful in the use of clean, electric vehicles.”
Nissan announced this supply agreement at the North American International Auto Show, where the Nissan LEAF was being displayed for international media Jan. 11-12. Nissan, along with its alliance partner Renault, is the only automaker committed to making all-electric vehicles available to the mass market on a global scale. The Nissan LEAF will go on sale in select markets in the United States in December.

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive design, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key priorities are reducing CO2 emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling. More information on the Nissan LEAF and zero emissions can be found at Nissan LEAF Electric Car | Nissan USA Official Site.

About AeroVironment (AV)
Building on a history of technological innovation, AV designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and efficient electric energy systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s battery-powered, hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. AV’s clean transportation solutions include power cycling and test systems and industrial electric vehicle charging systems for commercial and institutional customers, as well as EV home chargers and EV fast chargers for consumers. More information about AV is available at AeroVironment, Inc. : Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Electric Vehicle Charging Systems, Clean Energy Technology, Power Cycling & Test Systems.
 
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The vehicle at 1:11 may be something other than the Kangoo/BeBop. The BeBop has the charge port on the front, not the side:
Thanks. Quote from that page "The 2011 version of the the ZE will use the new 'standard' EV plug that RWE showed off recently, ..." Hmm ... another(!) "standard" ?? Does not look like what RWE has been showing recently.
 
Ensto
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"The charging point contains a light that shows green when the device is ready for use, blue when charging and red when service is required. The traffic agency welcomed the indicator lights as making it easier for electric car drivers to understand the purpose and operability of the new equipment."
 
Thanks. Quote from that page "The 2011 version of the the ZE will use the new 'standard' EV plug that RWE showed off recently, ..." Hmm ... another(!) "standard" ?? Does not look like what RWE has been showing recently.

As I said above, older European EVs use an Avcon variant.

» Charge connectors


There was an electric version of the original 97-07 Kangoo van produced in very limited numbers. I expect that is what you see in the video. I've not seen an old Kangoo in person, but the similar Peugeot vans and cars from that era have the charge port in that location on the side.

The photo that TEG posted is one of the prototype new generation Kangoo EVs. I expect Renault have still equipped it with the Avcon variant plug as there are still a few chargers around from the late 90s project.

However, Renault have said they are definitely behind the RWE/Mennekes proposed new standard and so as those charging stations become commonplace and the Renault EVs go into production, expect to see the cars equipped with it.
 
Sheesh it really is trying to mimic a gas pump, isn't it?
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I suppose it isn't so bad if a gas car stopped at one of those recharge spots by mistake and then went "Doh! If only I had an EV I could refuel/recharge here."
 

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