Difference in US and EU chargers

[cavver911]

Do anyone now if the car needs to change the supply connector into the car if I import a US car into europe? Or is it just a difference to the external charger due to the difference in grid voltage between US and europe?

[baustin]

The charger is built into the car. The EVSE supplies current to the charger. The EVSE will vary based on region due to the differences in the supply voltage and frequency. The US Leaf has a standard J1772 connector for Level1 and Level2 charging. I would recommend purchasing an EVSE in the area the car will be imported to that matches the electrical supply. The factory EVSE that comes with the US Leaf is a Level1 unit that only accepts 120 volt 60 hz input. You may be able to get an adapter that allows the factory EVSE to be used in your locale, but it would need to be a heavy duty unit that will support the 12 amp current draw the EVSE requires to avoid the risk of fire or other damage.

[jjeff]

For about $300 you could have your OEM N. American Leaf EVSE upgraded to 20a @ 240v, usable in Europe. For ~$200 you could purchase a 120v/240v universal Chinese EVSE from Amazon that would also work in Europe, note it outputs 16a and cannot be dialed down, unless the Leaf asks for less current. The EVSEUpgrade option I spoke of first can be user adjustable anywhere from 6a-20a @ 240v, 12a fixed at 120v.

[RonDawg]

EV's sold new in Europe use a "Mennekes" style plug:



However, I understand that there are adapters that let you connect a Mennekes plug to a J1772 socket.

Another big difference is that in Europe, you have to supply your own charging cable at a public charging station, unlike in the US and Canada where the charging station has its own cord. This particular cord has a J1772 plug on one end and a Mennekes plug on the other:



Clipper Creek sells an "international" version of their LCS-series EVSE that is designed to be used with Europe's 230V, 50 Hz electricity: https://store.clippercreek.com/internat ... ng-station There's also a 16 amp version for the same price, and for $50 you can get one with a plug but 12 amp only. They have a J1772 handle so no Mennekes adapter is required.

[cwerdna]

When I last looked into it (viewtopic.php?p=489815#p489815), European Leafs shipped w/a J1772 inlet but include a J1772 to Mennekes Type 2 cable so they can utilize public charging there.

OP should also look at viewtopic.php?p=262630#p262630 to understand on-board charger vs. EVSE.

[RonDawg]

When I last looked into it (viewtopic.php?p=489815#p489815), European Leafs shipped w/a J1772 inlet but include a J1772 to Mennekes Type 2 cable so they can utilize public charging there.

Thanks for that info. At the LA Auto Show a few years back, the Audi A3 eTron they had on display had a Mennekes connector on it, as did the Bosch "Wallbox" (EVSE) next to it. I guess it was an EU-spec model since the US version wouldn't be available for several months.