Charging standards for electric vehicles define the technical specifications and connection modes between the vehicle and the charging point. These standards are essential to ensure compatibility and interoperability between electric vehicles produced by different manufacturers and the available charging infrastructure.
Currently, the main charging standards for electric vehicles are as follows:
Mode 1 charging standard: This standard provides for charging via a standard 120V or 230V household socket. It is commonly used as an emergency solution or for overnight charging at home.
Mode 2 charging standard: This standard involves charging via a dedicated 240V outlet. Mode 2 charging is faster than mode 1 charging. This standard uses a connection called ‘J1772’ or ‘Type 2’.
Mode 3 fast charging standard: This standard, also known as fast charging or direct current (DC) charging, involves high-power charging through a specialised connection. The leading fast charging standards include CHAdeMO, CCS (Combined Charging System) and Tesla Supercharger.
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