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[E3 wise]

Shared by E3 Wise

    EERE Network News - eere-network-news@ee.doe.gov

Eight automakers demonstrated a fast-charging technology for electric vehicles (EV) that can recharge compatible systems in as few as 15-20 minutes. Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche, and Volkswagen have agreed to support a harmonized single-port fast charging approach—called DC Fast Charging with a Combined Charging System—for use on EVs in the United States and Europe.

  The automakers gave charging demonstrations during the EVS26 Electric Vehicle Symposium, held in Los Angeles, May 6-9. The combined charging system integrates one-phase AC-charging, fast three-phase AC-charging, DC-charging at home, and ultra-fast DC-charging at public stations into one vehicle inlet. This will allow customers to charge at most existing charging stations regardless of power source, and it may speed more affordable adoption of a standardized infrastructure.

    The International Society of Automotive Engineers has chosen the Combined Charging System as the fast-charging methodology for a standard that incrementally extends the existing Type 1-based AC charging. The standard is to be officially published this summer. And ACEA, the European association of vehicle manufacturers, has selected the system as its AC/DC charging interface for all new vehicle types in Europe beginning in 2017. Commercially available combined charging units are projected to be available later this year. All committed manufacturers have vehicles in development that will use the Combined Charging System. The first vehicles to use this system will reach the market in 2013.

   Additional Information from General Motors

   The charging system design was based on collaborative reviews and analysis of existing charging strategies, the ergonomics of the connector and preferences of U.S. and European customers. The system was developed for all international vehicle markets and creates a uniform standard with identical electrical systems, charge controllers, package dimensions and safety mechanisms.

   The system maximizes capability for integration with future smart grid developments through common broadband communication methods regardless of the global location of the charging system. The combined charging approach will reduce development and infrastructure complexity, improve charging reliability, reduce the total cost-of-ownership for end customers and provide low maintenance costs.

  Commercially available combined charging units are projected to be available later this year. All committed OEMs have vehicles in development which will use the Combined Charging System.  The first vehicles to use this system will reach the market in 2013.

   General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM’s brands include Chevrolet and Cadillac, as well as Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http:www.gm.com.

[E3 wise]

I wanted to post this because one of the biggest hurdles EV’s have been facing is the recharging time.  If you have not heard of fast charging technology it has been in the pipeline for several years.  Development has been lead by the military for several years.
As detailed in Tree Hugger and several other tech forums on May 7^th this has lead to the development of a new charging plug. In the industry it is referred to as the J1772  
The J1772 standard for charging electric cars, is getting extended to allow for higher voltage and more amps to flow through, making for faster charging of EV batteries. Unfortunately, it also means that the plug is getting bigger and weirder-looking, but it's still smaller than a traditional gas pump pistol.
The new standard, called DC Fast Charging with a Combined Charging System, is so far supported by Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen, which gives it a very good chance of being adopted.
  
"The combined charging system integrates one-phase AC-charging, fast three-phase AC-charging, DC-charging at home and ultra-fast DC-charging at public stations into one vehicle inlet. This will allow customers to charge at most existing charging stations regardless of power source and may speed more affordable adoption of a standardized infrastructure."
This system can handle 500 volts and 200 amps (not something you can get at home, but fast charging stations could provide it), meaning that compatible EVs could be almost entirely recharged in as little as 15-20 minutes.
The J1772 standard will be officially published this summer and the first vehicles to use the system are expected in 2013.

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[eds]

Car companies don't always think "what's in the best interest of consumers,"
. . . The big question is "what is the effect on the battery?"
. . . Is battery life cut from 4 years, to 2 years?
. . . What do replacement batteries cost?
. . . Are these "Hybrid ultracapacitor/batteries?"

[E3 wise]

By being able to quickcharge batteries at higher voltages, the wear is actually cut, and therfore cause them to last longer.  Likewise on the issue of battery change out the new generation 5 batteries are actually lasting longer,  the problem with the public acceptance of EV's is range and charging times, cutting charging times from 8 hours to 20 minutes means that range is no longer as big an issue and therefore will be more appeling to the average American.

Lastly believe it or not this technology is being spurred by Europe automakers who are introducing a much broader range of EV's than here in the United States, they want to succeed and that means having batteries that last much longer, ranges being increased, recharging times being cut and decreasing costs, reason well Europeans don't want to spend over and over for batteries.  This technology makes batteries last longer.

[eds]

I guess I'm confusing them with "Deep Discharging" of Lead batteries, shorting their life.

[Phil]

Sounds like a winner! I'll probably be buying my BEV closer to 2015 so by then most of the bugs should be worked out.  I suspect there will be continuous battery improvements year after year, meaning longer range, even shorter charge times, and lower cost.