I read the SAE Press Release, and since I'm not a Standards guy, I am confused as to what they're saying they're going to do when going through the process to "standardize" the NACS connector...I noticed they used the phrase "the new SAE NACS connector", which is very interesting...What does this mean for the J1772 standard?
Nothing at all. Once made, an SAE standard lives on. A quick glance at SAE standards ;its shows that:
SAE standards promote and facilitate safety, productivity, reliability, efficiency, and certification in mobility industries.
www.sae.org
The most active ones do have updates but many are not even in active use.
My guess is that SAE will include in the six month version some things beyond the bare bones.
Nobody seems to have commented on this:
"This includes SAE-ITC’s Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) for cyber-secure charging. In close cooperation with National Labs, SAE also is contributing to reliability design for the national ChargeX consortium."
That is one reason for six months, and has been a major impediment to successful fast charger reliability in non-Tesla sites in the US.
There will be related issues regarding the V4 Superchargers (615A/1000V max) that will certainly involved SAE mavens testing the existing NACS connector at those levels or even more. That is not in the press release, but SAE always examines any device in the operating context, that is one function of standards.
With the NACS established as at least 615A/1000V capable without issue there will be a very easy path for Hyundai/Kia and the coming plethora of larger commercial vehicles to use NACS.
Next: 48V everywhere, suddenly. This has been pending for years but apart from some Hybrid and suspension applications it has remained because no large OEM's would push the issue with suppliers. That topic has needed some OEM to force the braider issue. Tesla has now done that. Every OEM wants to do it.
Now that NACS has eradicated the 'Not Invented Here' problem, 48V finally is coming. Here is a Consumers report article from 2015:
Cars with 48-volt technology promise better fuel economy, more power, and improved reliability. Here's what you need to know.
www.consumerreports.org
It will have taken a decade to finally fix the ancient problem. FWIW, it was only after GM adopted 12V systems in 1953 that the US adopted 12V, The UK, for eagle used 12V from the begginning but switched to 6V to be 'standardized'. Now the move to 48V will be very paid because suppliers will help push. Repeating, one again Tesla is forcing the creaky old industry to move forward to the obvious cheaper, more durable, more reliable, lighter, more efficient 48V.
It is fitting that the NACS will have been the impetus for widespread 48V also, benefitting ICE, Hybrid and BEV.