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SAE Approves Combo Charging Plug Standard

SAE International has approved a new standard for electric vehicle charger plugs that enables a single plug to be used for both AC and DC charging systems.
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SAE International has approved a new standard for electric vehicle charger plugs that enables a single plug to be used for both AC and DC charging systems.

The previous SAE standard (SAE J1772) covered AC Level 1 (120 volts and 12-16 amps) and AC Level 2 (240 volts and 80 amps) systems that can charge a plug-in hybrid or EV battery in 3-8 hours.

The new standard expands J1772 to include DC Levels 1 and 2 systems (up to 500 volts and 200 amps) that could replenish the same vehicle in as little as 10 minutes.

Carmakers have been eager to standardize a plug for higher-power DC charging systems that enable an EV to be topped up in about the same time it takes to pump a tank of gasoline.

SAE says the Combo plug was developed with help from nearly 200 vehicle manufacturers, utilities and electrical equipment suppliers.

The new plug standard is supported by carmakers in Europe and North America. Japanese carmakers have adopted their own CHAdeMo standard, which includes DC connectivity, for electric vehicles sold in their domestic market.

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