SAE J1772 Electric Vehicle Charging Standard

The SAE J1772 is a North American standard developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) for electric vehicle conductive charging. Known colloquially as the "J plug" or "Type 1 connector," it is defined under the international standard IEC 62196 Type 1. This standard establishes the physical, electrical, communication protocol, and performance requirements necessary for electric vehicle (EV) charging.

Development and Adoption

The initial impetus for the development of the SAE J1772 standard came from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which sought to standardize electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support a growing fleet of electric vehicles. In June 2001, the CARB adopted the SAE J1772-2001 as the official charging interface in California. This first version featured a rectangular connector, manufactured by Avcon, capable of delivering up to 6.6 kW of power.

Specifications and Features

The SAE J1772 standard specifies a 5-pin connector that supports a wide range of single-phase (1φ) alternating current (AC) charging rates. It defines four levels of charging—two levels each for AC and direct current (DC) fast charging. The J1772 protocol includes a communication interface to ensure safe charging operations between the vehicle and the charger.

Combined Charging System (CCS)

The Combined Charging System (CCS) builds on the SAE J1772 by adding two additional pins for high-power DC fast charging, which can support up to 350 kW. This enhanced connector, known as Combo 1, allows for rapid charging while maintaining compatibility with existing J1772 infrastructure.

Historical Context

Before the adoption of SAE J1772, early EVs like the General Motors EV1 and Toyota RAV4 EV utilized the Magne Charge (SAE J1773), an inductive charging system. However, the conductive system defined by J1772 became more favorable due to its efficiency and ease of use.

Influence and Impact

The SAE J1772 standard has become the predominant charging interface for non-Tesla electric vehicles in the United States and Canada. It has facilitated the widespread adoption of EVs by providing a reliable and standardized charging solution.

J1772 compatibility extends beyond North America, being applied in countries such as South Korea and is often used alongside other systems like CHAdeMO for international markets.