SAE International recently published its recommended practice for plug-in charging of heavy duty electric vehicles (EVs).
The new standard, J3068, which establishes the best practice for an “Electric Vehicle Power Transfer System Using a Three-Phase Capable Coupler,” was developed from existing international standards that were extended to cover higher North American grid voltages and higher power levels.
“This new standard was designed to offer a single vehicle charging coupler solution for three-phase and single-phase AC and DC charging for a class of vehicles,” said Rodney McGee, chief engineer of EV projects at the University of Delaware, and the SAE Medium and Heavy Duty Vehicle Conductive Charging Task Force chair.
“We wanted to combine this new approach for AC charging with 1,000-volt DC charging based on existing SAE communication standards.”
With J3068, vehicles are allowed to fully utilize three-phase AC power where it is available and preferred, such as at commercial and industrial locations.
The standard was developed in a consensus process by SAE International’s Medium and Heavy Duty Vehicle Conductive Charging Task Force Committee, which today is comprised of more than 100 global experts from the automotive industry, utilities, charging equipment manufacturers, national laboratories and academia.
“The goals of J3068 include bringing a proven, mass-produced, three-phase charging coupler to North America, and establishing a low-cost, reliable communication and control protocol for AC with inherently high interoperability,” said Jim McLaughlin, document sponsor and retired Mack Trucks electrical engineer.
“High-power AC charging has cost advantages in many use cases, and three-phase charging simplifies balancing of the power grid.”
For more information about J3068 or to purchase the standard, click here.