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I might be wrong about this but I don't recall anyone being concerned that a CHAdeMO charger could not be upgraded or converted to whatever turns out to be the US standard. Heck the charger could even have both without issue I am sure. The concern was if the Leaf could upgraded or converted.
 
Here is an article from today's NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/28/autom" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... nted=print

Electric-Car Makers’ Quest: One Plug to Charge Them All

By CSABA CSERE


DETROIT

WITH electric cars and plug-in hybrids at last trickling into the showrooms of mainstream automakers, the dream of going gasoline-free is becoming a reality for many drivers. Cars like the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt can cover considerable distances under electric power alone — certainly enough for local errands and even most daily commutes — while enabling their owners to shun gas stations.

Indeed, charging the car’s battery pack at home, or topping up at the office or shopping mall, will work fine for most drivers. But what about trips that are beyond the range of a single battery charge? Couldn’t a driver in need simply pull up to a charging kiosk and plug in for a rapid refill?

It’s not that simple.

Sure, there are already public charging stations in service, and new ones are coming online daily. But those typically take several hours to fully replenish a battery.

As a result, the ability for quick battery boosts — using a compatible direct current fast charger, the Leaf can refill to 80 percent capacity in 30 minutes — could potentially become an important point of differentiation among electric models.

But the availability of fast charging points has in part been held up by the lack of an agreement among automakers on a universal method for fast charging — or even on a single electrical connector. Today’s prevalent D.C. fast-charge systems are built to a standard developed in Japan by Nissan, Mitsubishi and Subaru in conjunction with Tokyo Electric Power.

Called Chademo, which translates roughly to “charge and move,” it uses a connector that is different from the plugs in most electric cars. As a result, a Chademo-compatible car like the Nissan Leaf requires two separate sockets.

Overcoming the limitation of a short driving range is vital to achieving acceptance by consumers who want uncompromised, do-everything vehicles. The potential solutions all have drawbacks. Larger batteries are expensive and saddle the car with added weight. An onboard generator turned by a gasoline engine, as used in the Volt plug-in hybrid and similar future models, are another possible solution, but such systems add cost and pounds — and compromise the emissions-free image that attracts consumers to electric cars in the first place.

Leisurely overnight recharging is no problem. All electric cars come with a standard charging cable that can plug into a common 120-volt household electrical outlet. More than just an extension cord, this cable incorporates various safety features.

“There is no energy flowing through the cord until the car talks to the box,” said Gary Kissel, an engineering specialist for General Motors, referring to the charging cord’s electronics. “It also has a G.F.C.I. and signals the car that the cable is connected, making it impossible for you to drive off if you forget that you’re plugged in,” he said, using the abbreviation for the safety provision known as a ground fault circuit interrupter.

The Leaf and the Volt, as well as future electric cars coming to the American market, can use these 120-volt cords interchangeably because they are all designed to the SAE J1772 standard. A task force assembled by SAE International, an organization of scientists and vehicle engineers, developed the design specifications for the J1772 standard through a committee of 150 carmakers, electrical equipment makers and utilities.

Other groups, including the American National Standards Institute, are also working on standards and codes for electric cars.

Charging an electric car on a 120-volt circuit, called Level 1 charging, is undeniably slow. The Volt requires about 10 hours to fully charge on 120 volts and the Leaf, with its larger battery, needs closer to 20 hours. For plug-in hybrids, which generally have smaller batteries, Level 1 charging works for overnight and at-work refills, but pure electrics need something stronger.

That next step, called Level 2 charging, uses a 240-volt circuit. Typically, this charging cable is not portable; instead, it’s hard-wired to a garage or charging station, though the actual charger is built into the car. These higher-voltage cables also cost extra — about $2,000, the majority of which goes to the installation.

“This is the type of charger we’ll be seeing in parking lots,” said Nancy Gioia, director for global electrification at Ford Motor. “The hardware on 120 volts won’t provide enough incremental range to satisfy customers.”

With a 240-volt unit, the Leaf can recharge a depleted battery in less than eight hours and the Volt can do it in about four. These chargers use the same SAE J1772 connection

As you might expect, with electric cars just starting to reach volume production these chargers are not yet common. Level 2 charging stations are planned for each of Nissan’s 1,100 dealers, but the Web site carstations.com lists only about 1,350 charging stations of all types scattered across the 50 states, mostly in California and the Northeast. The Leaf’s navigation system can display nearby charging locations.

In the long term, however, commercial chargers will proliferate, especially as private companies get into the business. Among these is NRG, a power utility, which announced in April that it would install 120 Level 2 charging stations in Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth by the end of 2012. NRG will charge fixed monthly fees to use the stations, with a three-year contract. For unlimited usage the rate is $89 a month, or $1,068 a year — the equivalent of 7,000 miles in a car that gets 25 m.p.g. with gas costing $4 a gallon.

The NRG charging stations will incorporate not only Level 2 chargers, but also D.C. fast chargers. Fast chargers have complex hardware — a permanent installation, not an onboard system — that requires a connection to 480-volt three-phase alternating current. Sensitive circuitry is needed to convert this high-voltage A.C. power into direct current without frying the car’s battery. As you might expect, such chargers are expensive — at least $20,000 for the charger and another $20,000 for the installation.

The payoff is the ability to charge a Leaf’s battery to 80 percent capacity in half an hour, compared with six hours on a Level 2 charger or roughly 15 on a Level 1. Or put another way, 10 minutes on a D.C. fast charger can add about 30 miles of range.

The SAE committee is working on a modification of the J1772 connector to incorporate this high-powered D.C. charging as well as the existing Level 1 and 2 charging in a single connector.

“BMW prefers the SAE 1772 approach to having a single connector,” said Rich Steinberg, manager for electric vehicle operations and strategy at BMW North America, echoing the view of many carmakers.

The revised J1772 prototype will not be ready until this fall, according to the Peter Byk of SAE, and the final version is unlikely to be ready until late 2012.

At least in the view of the Leaf’s maker, there is no disaster in the offing.

“A Chademo charger could conceivably be reconfigured as an SAE charger,” said Mark Perry, product planning director at Nissan North America. “It could even have both plugs to accommodate all electric vehicles.”

As the only fast-charging game in town for now, 17 Chademo-type fast chargers, manufactured by AeroVironment of California, will be installed on Interstate 5 from the southern border of Oregon to the northern border of Washington this year. The plan is to eventually extend them all the way to the southern border of California.

Still, the experience will have its shortcomings. Consider a Nissan Leaf that can go about 70 miles at highway speeds on a full charge. At the 80 percent charge delivered by a fast chargers, that drops to 56 miles, which you’d cover in 48 minutes at 70 m.p.h. That means travelers would spend as much time charging as they would driving.

To match the convenience of a conventional car on the highway will require a combination of much greater electrical range with an even faster charging time, neither of which is around the corner. But for urban use, each new charger installation will improve the utility of all electric cars.
 
The L3 "problem" is a fabricated obstruction and ignores the simple reality of what drivers have always done and always will do.

When you drive up to a "fuel" station you PICK the "fuel" you need. If you drive a CHad car you pull up in front of a CHad L3 unit. If you drive a SAE car you pull up in front of an SAE L3 unit. We have been doing this at diesel/petrol stations for forever. Why the sudden confusion??? At an EV "fuel" station, common sense says the number of CHad units to SAE units is based on the number of car types on the road. Since there are NO SAE L3's or SAE cars even planned this ratio is very simple. Install 100% CHad and 0% SAE for now. Of course you leave open a few electrical stub ups for SAE units and fill those in when you have a clearer picture of the EV demographic in your location. If CHad remains 100% of the EV demographic... then what on earth is the problem. It doesn't get any more simple than this!

This issue is not confusion, it is obstruction. No one has ever said there is only one all encompassing L3 standard except those that don't want pure EV's on the road. This is hardly the group that should be "framing problems" for L3 infrastructure.
 
TRONZ said:
This issue is not confusion, it is obstruction. No one has ever said there is only one all encompassing L3 standard except those that don't want pure EV's on the road. This is hardly the group that should be "framing problems" for L3 infrastructure.

+1. Screw the SAE. BTW, isn't it a GM person who chairs this particular committee? Just sayin'. :?
 
mwalsh said:
TRONZ said:
This issue is not confusion, it is obstruction. No one has ever said there is only one all encompassing L3 standard except those that don't want pure EV's on the road. This is hardly the group that should be "framing problems" for L3 infrastructure.

+1. Screw the SAE. BTW, isn't it a GM person who chairs this particular committee? Just sayin'. :?

+2.
I like this answer “It could even have both plugs to accommodate all electric vehicles.”. Leaf will be the best selling EV for next few years and Mitsubishi "i" head start for low cost EV market. I can't see many cars will use SAE standard for next few years. After few years we need new standard that charge 300miles range Model S for 30min and 200miles range Leaf-2 for 20min anyway.
 
It will be interesting to see what Tesla comes out with to charge the very first Tesla Model S EVs. The first models to be released will be their "signature" series (only 1,000 to ever be produced with special badging and options). It's going to have a 300 mile pack, that will need the EVSE that Clipper Creek has (the CS-90 or CS-100), to have any reasonable chance of being able to charge a depleted pack within a reasonable time, even then they will be at the maximum rate supported by J-1772 (75 Amps technically, or 18KW). The pack is rumored to be very large, so perhaps a 5-6 hour charge (from totally depleted), if you have 90-100A availble.
They are claiming a "45 minute quick charge", that must be a DC option.

http://www.teslamotors.com/models/faq" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"How long does it take to recharge Model S?

Charging times are based on battery size and the combined voltage and amperage of the power source. Regular wall outlets carry an electrical feed of 110 volts at either 12 or 15 Amps and charge slowly. A 220 volt outlet, such as your clothes dryer outlet, can charge Model S from empty to full overnight. Model S is capable of recharging in 45 minutes using a fast charging station"

and

"Assume average energy usage per mile is approximately 300Wh/mile (188Wh/km)(based on actual Roadster driving data). Multiply 300Wh/mile (188Wh/km) by your daily driving distance to estimate your daily vehicle energy consumption"

http://www.teslamotors.com/models/technology" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.teslamotors.com/models/specs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/quick-update-model-s" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If anyone should be working with the SAE on DC fast charging, or taking advantage of the chademo DC quick chargers, it's Tesla.
 
I think the 300 mile range Model S will have a 90kWh pack.

Supposedly it will have an automatically retracting port on the back that can be fitted with various "adapters" to match different sorts of plugs. I would bet J1772 with the DC add-on could be a standard adapter. Europeans are hoping for 3-phase charging since 3-phase to homes is common in many countries there.
 
TEG said:
I think the 300 mile range Model S will have a 90kWh pack.

Supposedly it will have an automatically retracting port on the back that can be fitted with various "adapters" to match different sorts of plugs. I would bet J1772 with the DC add-on could be a standard adapter. Europeans are hoping for 3-phase charging since 3-phase to homes is common in many countries there.

For Europeans with 3 phase, they'll need to come up with a "Residential DC fast
charger", I doubt they'd have an onboard charger for that.

If you can afford the $80-90k model S, maybe you can afford your own Chademo charger as well :)
Yeah I know the model S is supposedly $50K + another $20K for the 300 mile pack, but that's with no options. I can easily see $10-20K in options.. Realistically the 300 mile Model S is going to be in the $80-90K range

If you look at the 50KW DC capability of the Chademo, then 1.5 hours is possible, restoring about 75KW (about %80 of your 90KW pack guestimate)
 
Spies said:
I might be wrong about this but I don't recall anyone being concerned that a CHAdeMO charger could not be upgraded or converted to whatever turns out to be the US standard. Heck the charger could even have both without issue I am sure. The concern was if the Leaf could upgraded or converted.

I'm not an engineer designing charging stations, so there may be issues I don't know about or understand, but I too don't see why a charger that costs tens of thousands of dollars to build and deploy couldn't have both connectors on it either. It seems the extra cost would be minimal compared the to current unit cost.

Said, dual headed, charger wouldn't have to be designed to charge two cars at once but just to use one connector and set of electronics or the other. Would that be that hard or costly?
 
mitch672 said:
...For Europeans with 3 phase, they'll need to come up with a "Residential DC fast
charger", I doubt they'd have an onboard charger for that...

Some are claiming it may have on-board capability to charge ~22kW from 3-phase AC.
We shall see.
 
mitch672 said:
It's going to have a 300 mile pack, that will need the EVSE that Clipper Creek has (the CS-90 or CS-100), to have any reasonable chance of being able to charge a depleted pack within a reasonable time, even then they will be at the maximum rate supported by J-1772 (75 Amps technically, or 18KW). The pack is rumored to be very large, so perhaps a 5-6 hour charge (from totally depleted), if you have 90-100A availble.
They are claiming a "45 minute quick charge", that must be a DC option.

http://www.teslamotors.com/models/faq" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"How long does it take to recharge Model S?

Charging times are based on battery size and the combined voltage and amperage of the power source. Regular wall outlets carry an electrical feed of 110 volts at either 12 or 15 Amps and charge slowly. A 220 volt outlet, such as your clothes dryer outlet, can charge Model S from empty to full overnight. Model S is capable of recharging in 45 minutes using a fast charging station"
I agree that the FAQ could be clearer about it, though it does say "based on battery size", but it is obvious that information refers to the standard 160 mile configuration, not the optional 300 mile pack. As you yourself hinted, there is no way a 30A clothes dryer outlet can charge a 300 mile battery overnight. It follows that the 45 minute fast charge also applies to the standard configuration. If you assume the 160 mile battery is about half again as large as the LEAF's, then all the numbers make sense.

Ray
 
Small 20KW and 30KW Chademo charger developed by Japanese company, this looks like it could be deployed in European homes with 3 phase... of course "small and light" are all relative, its still 150 or 170 KG :)

http://www.nichicon.co.jp/english/new/new113.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Credit for the find: "Transport Evolved" podcast, and Nikki Gordon Bloomfield
 
mitch672 said:
Small 20KW and 30KW Chademo charger developed by Japanese company, this looks like it could be deployed in European homes with 3 phase... of course "small and light" are all relative, its still 150 or 170 KG :)

http://www.nichicon.co.jp/english/new/new113.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Credit for the find: "Transport Evolved" podcast, and Nikki Gordon Bloomfield

Wonder what the cost of these are.
 
http://www.friendsmania.net/forum/pakistan-tech-news-telecom-pc-gadget-prices-technology/131996.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20110830/197832/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
...The charger can be installed in a small area, and, thus, cost for foundation work can be reduced. Its price ranges from ¥1.89 million to 2.1 million (approx US$24,584-27,315), excluding construction cost...
 
Looks like Renault and Nissan are going to go strong in Australia. Nissan Leaf public charger there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUICgOM6_gw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Plus lots of other interesting EV charging videos there including battery swapping station working prototypes.
http://www.youtube.com/user/BtrplcAus" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

RikiTiki
 
RikiTiki said:
Looks like Renault a Nissan partner has even another plug in standard going in Australia.
The Leaf in the video appears to have a standard L1/L2 J1772 but the charging dock appears to be using some sort of mennekes socket where one needs to carry the charging cable with the vehicle. This must be what Better Place is proposing. I suspect that the Leaf has CHAdeMO even though you can't really see it in the video. I also like how both socket covers were open when she lifted the charge bay hood. Not a good idea and I don't even think the hood will close all the way with the CHAdeMO socket cover open.
 
The Gonad-Socket would accept two different plugs:
1. the existing J1772 L1&L2 plug for AC Charging
2. The Gonad-Plug for DC charging, where the AC pins might be unused, or used for signaling.

SAE probable goal: Use a totally different control/signaling system so that the "foreign" CHaDEmo cannot be supported.
 
JPWhite said:
You guys see the following article on Walgreens CHAdeMO charging station deployment?

http://www.greencarreports.com/news...c-rapid-electric-car-chargers-where-practical

Walgreens are likely to lead the charge so to speak in getting the L3 infrastructure built out. Jamb that into your SAE port :)
$4 for an L3 charge is a good deal. I'd sure do it - and shop at Walgreens while I'm at it.

However I notice they list New York City, Houston, Dallas Fort-Worth and Chicago and not anywhere in California. They say they'll install L3 where practical, citing availability of power as one constraint. But I fear that even when technically feasible in California, L3 stations may not be economically feasible.

California has a very high "demand charge" (most or all utilities) based on the maximum kW of power drawn during a month. Something like car charging is the worst case where you may draw zero most of the time, and then draw 49 kW for 30 minutes. The demand charge alone could push the rate they'd have to charge drivers up to $10, at which price point fewer drivers would use the service, utilization would go down, and per-charge costs would go up - say to $20, at which price point fewer drivers would use the service and... so on.

There is a very good reason for the demand charge, because utilities have to build expensive power plants and transmission lines for the worst case power demand. Potential power draws require power plants to be sitting ready, possibly even idling and burning fuel for nothing. So a financial incentive to power users to smooth out their power peaks is desirable. Ironically, smoothing the power peaks is the same thing that a large population of EVs is supposed to accomplish. With lots of cars charging at night they can use a lot more wind power that would otherwise be idle, and even for fossil fuel plants they could run more efficient plants that are slower to ramp up and down.

I think the negative impact on the grid of a small number of 49 kW L3 chargers in a city, used randomly now and then throughout the day, would be much less than the positive impact of thousands of EV charging overnight. But the very PUC rules meant to smooth out power demand may keep L3 chargers out of California, reduce the EV population, and prevent power demand from being smoothed.

I hope I'm wrong, and my friendly neighborhood Walgreens opens an L3 station soon.
 
mwalsh said:
TRONZ said:
This issue is not confusion, it is obstruction. No one has ever said there is only one all encompassing L3 standard except those that don't want pure EV's on the road. This is hardly the group that should be "framing problems" for L3 infrastructure.

+1. Screw the SAE. BTW, isn't it a GM person who chairs this particular committee? Just sayin'. :?
. . . yep . . . and isn't GM's leadership responsible for driving one of the US's largest company into bankruptcy? Gee - great qualifications for designing plugs.

What an irony that these folks feel such a compelling need to design plugs, though that can't even get a mass produced EV on the road! ... much less a PHEV that the average Joe can afford. Talk about putting the cart before the horse. Meanwhile, if you look at Chademo maps / infrastructure in Japan - they got so many over there, that the little teeny icon/pictures of Chademo charge stations cover the map of their country ... and they work just fine. And with AV working on Chademo installs all the way up and down the N - S length of the west cost, WHY are the likes of GM & SAE wasting their time?
 
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