J1772 accommodates any country’s electrical system, said Kissel, whose title at GM is Engineering Specialist, RSS Charging Systems, Charging Codes, Standards, and Infrastructure.
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SAE hopes J1772 becomes the main global standard for all types of charging. Kissel said that some European OEMs are incorporating the J1772 specifications into their EV designs because the standard is well established. He noted that J1772 is a good solution for Europe because there is no other established standard there and because there are no “completed production tools” for the proposed IEC connectors, “where with the SAE standard, you can actually go out and buy the [Level 1 and 2] connector and plug-in receptacle today.”
But it’s not clear that J1772 will win out. Richard Lowenthal, CEO of charging station maker Coulomb, said his company’s biggest client is the city of Amsterdam, whose 120 stations will be equipped with something other than a J1772 connector. “In the U.S., everyone pretty much wants J1772. The story is over,” he said. “In Europe, not so much.”
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Most of his task force members want to see J1772 updated so a single plug can accommodate both dc fast charging and the slower ac charging of Level 1 and 2, Kissel said, “but it’s a very big challenge.” He noted that pins would have to be added to the current five-pin J1772 plug, and as a consequence it would have to be larger.
The task force is also considering how to incorporate features of, or perhaps outright adopt, the Japanese fast-charge standard. Either way, the goal is to have one plug for all types of charging so vehicles need not be designed with two space-eating receptacles, Kissel said.
