OCPP
The Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) is an application protocol for communication between Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and a central management system, also known as a charging station network, similar to cell phones and cell phone networks.
AC (Alternative current)
This type of charging is useful for charging electric vehicles at different speeds through an alternating current. Electric vehicle charging mostly comes out as AC. With an AC charger, the power is converted to DC by the vehicle itself. This type of charging is economical but takes longer.
Good to know: A battery can only be charged and discharged with DC power.
Typical AC charging powers are 3.7kW, 11kW, 22kW (the higher, the faster).
However, note that AC charging speed is not only dependent on the charging device capabilities; charging speed is also defined by the vehicle's AC charger. This is because of the inverter of the car which convert the AC power to DC. This converter is mostly limited to 1-Phase 32 amps (equal to 7,2 kW) or 3-phase 16 amps (equal to 11 kW)
DC (Direct current)
DC is one of the two types of ‘fuel’ that can be used to power electric vehicles. Unlike AC charging, converted into DC power by the car, DC charging can convert the AC power into DC right in the car itself. DC chargers are larger, more expensive, but faster.
DLM (Dynamic Load Management)
Dynamic Load Management (or DLM) refers to an EV charging technology that makes it possible to evenly distribute the electricity to all the vehicles. In other words, DLM optimises charging speed and prevents all grid congestion episodes.
We also use other words to talk about this as:
Active Load Balancing refers to the charging station prevents grid congestions by using an connection with an energy meter on the main connection.
Smart Charging Network refers to the charging stations which jointly divide a charging capacity among several cars without exceeding a maximum. This maximum can be static or dynamic (Active Load Balancing).
kW (kilowatt)
A unit of power, equal to 1000 watts. kW is a measurement unit used to determine how much power an electrical appliance consumes.
RFID (Radio-frequency identification)
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) refers to a wireless system comprised of two components: tags and readers. The reader is a device that has one or more antennas that emit radio waves and receive signals back from the RFID tag
Examples of RFID cards:
Charge Card / Tag
OV-chipcard
Access Batch
Levels or Modes of Charging
Mode 1 charging technology refers to home charging from a standard power outlet with a simple extension cord. This type of charging involves plugging an electric vehicle into a standard household socket. This type of charging involves plugging an electric vehicle into a standard household socket. This method of charging does not provide users with shock protection against DC currents.
Mode 2 charging involves the use of a special cable with integrated shock protection against AC and DC currents. In Mode 2 charging, the charging cable is provided with the EV. Unlike Mode 1 charging, Mode 2 charging cables have built-in protection in the cables which protects against electric shock. Mode 2 charging is currently the most common mode of charging EVs.
Mode 3 charging involves the use of a dedicated charging station or a home mounted wall box for EV charging. Both provide shock protection against AC or DC currents. In Mode 3, the connecting cable is provided with the wall box or charging station and the EV does not need a dedicated cable for charging. Mode 3 charging is currently the preferred means of EV charging.
Mode 4 is often referred to as ‘DC fast-charge’, or just ‘fast-charge’. However, given the widely varying charging rates for mode 4 – (currently starting with portable 5kW units through to 50kW and 150kW, plus the soon to be rolled out 350 and 400kW standards)
Connectors
Connectors make a connection between a car and a charging stations. We have different connectors, mostly used in a specific region. Most important connectors in Europe:
Type 1 (We see this one sporadic on Japanse cars)
Type 2 (Standard in Europe for AC Charging)
CHAdeMO (Standard for Japanse cars)
CCS 2 (Standard for Europe, DC Charging)
CCS (Combined charging system)
The Combined Charging System (CCS) is a standard for charging electric vehicles, which uses the Combo 1 and Combo 2 connectors to provide power at up to 350 kilowatts. These two connectors are extensions of the IEC 62196 Type 1 and Type 2 connectors, with two additional direct current (DC) contacts to allow high-power DC fast charging.
Electric vehicles or electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) are CCS-capable if they support either AC or DC charging according to the standards listed by the CCS. Automobile manufacturers that support CCS include BMW, Daimler, FCA, Ford, Jaguar, General Motors, Groupe PSA, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, MG, Polestar, Renault, Rivian, Tesla, Tata Motors and Volkswagen Group.
CHAdeMO
CHAdeMO is the trade name of a fast charging method for battery electric vehicles delivering up to 62.5 kW by 500 V, 125 A direct current via a special electrical connector. A revised CHAdeMO 2.0 specification allows for up to 400 kW by 1000 V, 400 A direct current. It was proposed in 2010 as a global industry standard by an association of the same name formed by five major Japanese automakers.
Type 2 connector
This is now the standard plug type in Europe. Type 2 chargers have a 7-pin design and accommodate both single and three-phase mains power. Type 2 cables generally provide between 30 and 90 miles of range per charging hour. With this type of charger it is possible to reach domestic charging speeds of up to 22kW and speeds of up to 43kW at public charge stations. It is much more common to find a Type 2 compatible public charging station.
Type 1 connector
Type 1 chargers have a 5-pin design. This type of EV charger is single phase and provides fast charging at an output between 3.7kW and 7.4kW AC which provides between 12.5-25 miles of range per charging hour.