SAE International Releases New Fast-Charging "Combo" Coupler Standard (SAE J1772) for Plug-In Electric and Electric Vehicles

WARRENDALE, PA--Oct. 15, 2012: SAE International's much-anticipated technical standard for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and electric vehicles (EV) has been approved and published.

Developed in a consensus environment by more than 190 global experts representing automotive, charging equipment, utilities industries and national labs, "J1772: SAE Electric Vehicle and Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Conductive Charge Couple" enable charging time to be reduced from as long as eight hours to as short as 20 minutes.

"This new technical standard is a real game-changer," Andrew Smart, Director of Industry Relations and Business Development for SAE International, said. "It reflects the advancements in technology within PHEV and EV engineering and we are pleased to represent the collaborative efforts within industry that made it possible."

The standard represents the future of charging technology and smart grid interaction, while addressing the needs of today. Such needs include reduced times at public charging stations, enabling consumers to travel greater distances in their PHEV's and EV's.

"This new standard reflects the many hours that top industry experts from around the world worked to achieve the best charging solution -- a solution that helps vehicle electrification technology move forward," Gery Kissel, Engineering Specialist, Global Battery Systems, GM, and SAE J1772 Task Force Chairman, said. "We now can offer users of this technology various charging options in one combined design."

The original version of J1772 defined AC Level 1 and AC Level 2 charge levels and specified a conductive charge coupler and electrical interfaces for AC Level 1 and AC Level 2 charging. The new revision incorporates DC charging where DC Level 1 and DC Level 2 charge levels, charge coupler and electrical interfaces are defined. The standard was developed in cooperation with the European automotive experts who also adopted and endorsed a combo strategy in their approach.

Click here to see the J1772 SAE Charging Configurations and Ratings Terminology.

"J1772: SAE Electric Vehicle and Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Conductive Charge Couple" was developed and issued by SAE International's J1772 Task Force. For more information, visit SAE Standards call 1-724-772-8522 or email pr@sae.org.

SAE International is a global association of more than 133,000 engineers and related technical experts in the aerospace, automotive and commercial-vehicle industries. SAE International's core competencies are life-long learning and voluntary consensus standards development. SAE International's charitable arm is the SAE Foundation, which supports many programs, including A World In Motion® and the Collegiate Design Series.