CCS Charging options for Model 3

[J1mbo]

Here it is!

Summary ...

* EU Model 3 to get CCS - and cannot use the current Type 2 Supercharger
* EU superchargers to be upgraded to dual head Type 2 / CCS
* Optional CCS adapters to be sold for MS and MX

Full interview with Drew Bennett, Tesla’s head of global charging infrastructure over on drivingelectric.

 

[Chuq]

Looks like I bumped this thread by pure luck at the right time!

Only surprise here is that they are retrofitting EU superchargers with a second cable.

The only reason I can think of is because the 120kW charging rate is a limit of the port/cable. Will Model 3s be able to charge at a higher rate from a supercharger if they use the CCS cable?

A second option is that they are planning to make the network available to other cars, but the interview linked by @J1mbo above makes mention of that and it isn't happening any time soon.

 

[Nuclear Fusion]

CCS in the comments section
Tesla Model 3 Arrives In European Showrooms Today, November 14th | CleanTechnica

Just called the Belgium store, they confirmed the Model 3 has arrived so I asked if it had CCS. They went to check and confirmed that yes it does! He also said that an adaptor will be available for Model S and X.

 

[Nuclear Fusion]

Why do the superchargers need to be upgraded with ccs cables?

 

[TexasEV]

Why do the superchargers need to be upgraded with ccs cables?

How else are European Model 3s going to plug in when their ports are CCS?

 

[MP3Mike]

Why do the superchargers need to be upgraded with ccs cables?

Because they simplified the wiring on the Model 3, AC charging on the top, DC charging on the bottom.

 

[Nuclear Fusion]

Because they simplified the wiring on the Model 3, AC charging on the top, DC charging on the bottom.

I thought it was exactly the same plug as the S/X?

 

[MorrisonHiker]

I thought it was exactly the same plug as the S/X?

See post #141:

Here it is!

Summary ...

* EU Model 3 to get CCS - and cannot use the current Type 2 Supercharger
* EU superchargers to be upgraded to dual head Type 2 / CCS
* Optional CCS adapters to be sold for MS and MX

Full interview with Drew Bennett, Tesla’s head of global charging infrastructure over on drivingelectric.

Note the two additional DC pins at the bottom. Those are new.

 

[BobbyKings]

Why do the superchargers need to be upgraded with ccs cables?

Model 3 can, even with CCS port, use the current superchargers. The upper part of the port is equal to the current S/X charge ports.

Only the lower 2 connectors are specific for CCS.

CCS is a legal requirement for public fast charging, or at least in the state of Germany.

 

[Nuclear Fusion]

CCS is a legal requirement for public fast charging, or at least in the state of Germany.

Thank you. That answers the question

 

[MP3Mike]

I thought it was exactly the same plug as the S/X?

No the Model 3 in Europe is getting a CCS Combo 2 inlet.

 

[MP3Mike]

Model 3 can, even with CCS port, use the current superchargers. The upper part of the port is equal to the current S/X charge ports.

No they can't, at least according to Tesla.

 

[cros13]

Model 3 can, even with CCS port, use the current superchargers. The upper part of the port is equal to the current S/X charge ports.

Actually, that's still an open question. It's quite possible that Tesla is not cabling the Type 2 portion for DC internally to save money/cut down on complexity/prepare for higher amperages.
If they are planning to go CCS for all new cars in the future... they might as well abandon Tesla Type 2

Anyway... I'm happy. CCS support was the final thing on my wishlist.

 

[MP3Mike]

Actually, that's still an open question.

No it isn't an open question, Tesla has already stated how it will work: https://electrek.co/2018/11/14/tesla-model-3-ccs-2-plug-europe-adapter-model-s-model-x/

In advance of Model 3 rollout in Europe, we will be retrofitting our existing Superchargers with dual charge cables to enable Model 3 which will come with a CCS Combo 2 charge port, to use the Tesla Supercharger network. Model S and Model X customers will continue to have full access to the network and a CCS Combo 2 adapter will soon be available to purchase, if desired.

 

[cizUK]

There's no notch!
So now a non-Tesla EV can plug in... and then wonder why its not working
So this paves the way for introducing other cars to the network.

 

[Eno Deb]

Model 3 can, even with CCS port, use the current superchargers. The upper part of the port is equal to the current S/X charge ports.

Not it can't. The likely reason is that Tesla currently shares the same pins for AC and DC charging (and uses some kind of solid-state relay to switch them). The CCS Type 2 plug, on the other hand, uses separate (and thicker) DC pins, so the upper half of Tesla's connector will most likely not support DC charging anymore.

It'll be very interesting to hear what maximum charge power Tesla supports on the European Model 3. Could theoretically be more than the old Tesla superchargers support, assuming the battery and power electronics in the car can handle it.

 

[BobbyKings]

Not it can't. The likely reason is that Tesla currently shares the same pins for AC and DC charging (and uses some kind of solid-state relay to switch them). The CCS Type 2 plug, on the other hand, uses separate (and thicker) DC pins, so the upper half of Tesla's connector will most likely not support DC charging anymore.

It'll be very interesting to hear what maximum charge power Tesla supports on the European Model 3. Could theoretically be more than the old Tesla superchargers support, assuming the battery and power electronics in the car can handle it.

Oh yes it can. Do not forget that the current Model S/X charge ports are different from the US charge ports.

 

[miimura]

Oh yes it can. Do not forget that the current Model S/X charge ports are different from the US charge ports.

The announcement clearly states that the Model 3 with the CCS2 port cannot use the existing Supercharger cables. That means that the car will not have the necessary switching to allow both AC and DC on the upper Type-2 pins and will require DC to flow through the two large pins at the bottom of the port. From a vehicle cost standpoint, this is the right answer.

 

[Eno Deb]

Oh yes it can. Do not forget that the current Model S/X charge ports are different from the US charge ports.

Alright Sherlock. Could you then explain why Tesla is retrofitting their superchargers in Europe with CCS plugs if the existing plugs can already be used with the Model 3?

 

[Jeff N]

I wrote an article with my own take on the new CCS support here:

Tesla flips to CCS in Europe, what does it mean?