Language
Country/Area
No result found
From AC to DC: The magical transformation of electric vehicle charging, do you know?
As electric vehicles (EVs) gain popularity around the world, charging infrastructure is also evolving. Among them, the Combined Charging System (CCS) stands out as an efficient charging standard that allows the use of Combo 1 and Combo 2 connectors and can provide up to 500 kilowatts (kW) of power. In response to the demand for faster charging technology, this standard can not only meet the needs of fast charging of electric vehicles, but also cover a variety of charging environments.
“Combining charging systems makes it easier for automakers to join the charging infrastructure needed for the electric vehicle market.”
When interpreting the historical context of charging standards, we can see that the renewed interest in electric vehicles has led to the construction of charging stations. Initially, these charging stations used alternating current (AC) from around the world to power electric vehicles, but with the introduction of the IEC 62196 standard, countries began to regulate high-current charging connectors. This allows for a unified platform for the Type 1 used primarily in North America and the Type 2 variants in other regions.
Over time, the idea of adding direct current (DC) charging connectors to electric vehicles has evolved. On October 12, 2011, the CCS solution was first publicly proposed at the International VDI Conference in Baden-Baden, Germany, after which a number of automobile manufacturers quickly formed an alliance to jointly promote the application of this standard.
“CCS can simplify the charging process with a single connector design, significantly improving the user experience.”
In the subsequent development, the expansion of the charging network is also an important part that cannot be ignored. In 2013, Volvo took the lead in establishing public CCS fast-charging stations, and continued to increase the number of high-power charging stations in the following years. It has witnessed the rapid popularization of CCS charging to date.
Currently, electric vehicles from many manufacturers support this charging standard, including BMW, Daimler, Ford and Tesla. They offer consumers more flexible charging options, whether AC or DC charging. This makes the charging system not only more reliable, but also enables effective connection with traditional energy sources.
"Faced with increasingly competitive charging systems, CCS needs to continue to evolve to meet future market demand."
However, with the birth of the North American Charging Standard (NACS) developed by Tesla, and the announcement by Ford and General Motors that they will switch to NACS charging connectors starting in 2025, CCS's market advantage seems to be challenged. NACS's simplified design and cost-effectiveness are attracting more and more manufacturers and charging station supporters to join its ranks.
This wave of competition means that CCS needs to move faster, and the industry is beginning to call for clear standards. Especially when many countries around the world are still seeking the best charging access solutions, the right direction may determine the development pattern of electric vehicles in the next decade.
"In this race for charging standards, clear standardization may be the key to future success."
From the evolution of charging technology, we can see that the success of CCS is not only a technological breakthrough, but also the result of collaboration among all parties. A low-carbon future requires not only technological progress but also the support of allies. This makes people think, as the global electric vehicle market changes, which charging standard will we prefer in the future?
