What is Combined Charging System(CCS) ?
Combined Charging System (CCS) is an electric vehicle charging standard, mainly used for plug-in electric vehicles. Similar electric vehicle charging standards to CCS include CHAdeMO (Japan and parts of Asia), GB/T (in China), NACS (North American Charging Standard), etc. If you don't know much about it before, you can learn more about it in this article.
The origin and development background of CCS
The origin of the CCS charging standard can be traced back to 2011. At that time, electric vehicles were in the early stages of development around the world, and different charging standards emerged in different countries and regions, resulting in incompatible charging interfaces, inconsistent communication protocols, and other problems, which brought great inconvenience to users and hindered the widespread promotion of electric vehicles. To solve these problems, unified charging standards have become an urgent need for the development of the industry. For the convenience of readers, I have compiled the development timeline of CCS:
- In 2011, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) proposed the CCS charging standard proposal, which aims to integrate AC and DC charging into a unified system, enabling electric vehicles to achieve multiple charging methods through one charging interface, and improving the convenience and versatility of charging.
- In 2012, the CCS Combo 1.0 standard was officially released. It uses a combined socket design that integrates AC and DC interfaces on the physical interface of the connector, which is compatible with three modes: single-phase AC charging, three-phase AC charging, and DC charging. At the same time, seven automakers (Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche, and Volkswagen) agreed to adopt this combined plug standard and demonstrated the first prototype application in May 2012.
- CCS Combo 2.0, released in 2014, is a significant upgrade to the previous version, further increasing the charging power and supporting faster DC charging to meet the growing charging needs of electric vehicles.
- In 2017, CCS Combo 2.0.1 was launched
- In 2020, CCS Combo 2.0.2 was launched to continuously improve performance such as charging power and safety.
CCS technical architecture and core components
1. Connector design:
- Combo 1 (North America) : The Combo 1 connector is an extension of the J1772 standard AC charging connector, supporting both AC charging and DC fast charging. It adds two DC charging contacts to the original J1772 connector to meet the different charging needs of electric vehicles, enabling fast charging from high-power DC circuits as well as ordinary AC charging.
- Combo 2 (Europe) : The Combo 2 connector is developed based on the Type 2 connector. It retains the seven-pin design of the Type 2 connector, supports single-phase and three-phase AC charging, is compatible with the charging function of the Type 2 interface, and can be used in traditional AC charging scenarios. At the same time, it adds a DC fast charging function, which realizes DC fast charging through an additional two pins. It is suitable for application scenarios that require fast replenishment of energy.
2. Communication and security mechanism :
- HomePlug GreenPHY and PLC (power line communication) protocols are used to achieve two-way communication between the vehicle and the charging pile, and dynamically match the charging power.
- Built-in temperature sensor and cooling system to prevent cable overheating (DC Level 2 supports 500kW, non-cooling mode is limited to 100kW).
3.Charging mode :
- AC charging : supports Level 1 (120V) and Level 2 (240V), with a maximum power of 22kW.
- DC fast charging : supports Level 1 (80A/43kW) and Level 2 (500kW), and can charge to 80% in 15 minutes.
CCS's core advantages
Strong compatibility
CCS integrates multiple charging standards and can support both DC fast charging and AC charging. Whether it is at a home charging station, a public AC charging station or a DC fast charging station, electric vehicles equipped with a CCS interface can be charged, which solves the problem of inconsistent standards for different charging facilities and facilitates users to charge in various scenarios.
High charging efficiency
For DC fast charging mode, CCS can provide higher charging power, generally reaching tens of kilowatts or even hundreds of kilowatts. For example, some electric vehicles using CCS interface can charge from a low level to about 80% in about half an hour under DC fast charging conditions, greatly shortening the charging waiting time and improving the convenience of electric vehicles.
Reliable safety performance
CCS follows strict safety standards in design and has multiple safety protection functions, such as overvoltage protection, overcurrent protection, overheating protection, and leakage protection. It can monitor the charging status in real time during the charging process and immediately stop charging if an abnormal situation occurs, to ensure the safety of the charging process and protect the safety of vehicles and users.
International compatibility
CCS is an internationally recognized charging standard that is widely used in many countries and regions around the world. This makes it easier for electric vehicle users to find suitable charging facilities when traveling across borders or using them in different regions, promoting the promotion and use of electric vehicles around the world and the international development of the electric vehicle industry.
Regional adaptability issues of CCS
China
China's electric vehicle charging standard is GB/T 20234. The maximum voltage of the AC charging interface is three-phase 440V AC, and the maximum current is 63A AC; the maximum voltage of DC charging is 1000V DC, and the maximum current is 300A DC when naturally cooled, and the maximum current is 800A DC when actively cooled. The CSS charging facilities that meet the GB/T 20234 standard in the Chinese market have a good match with domestically produced and sold electric vehicles, and can ensure fast and safe charging. At the same time, with the continuous development of China's electric vehicle industry and technological advancement, CSS charging facilities are also being popularized and upgraded to meet the growing demand for electric vehicle charging.
Europe
The European CSS standard is based on CCS2 of IEC 62196. Its voltage range is similar to the Chinese standard, with a maximum AC voltage of 480V AC and a maximum current of 63A; a maximum DC voltage of 1000V DC and a maximum current of 200A (based on the 2014 version data). European electric vehicle manufacturers usually follow the CCS2 standard when designing vehicle charging interfaces to ensure that the vehicles are compatible with various public and private charging facilities in Europe. In addition, European countries are also actively promoting the construction of CSS charging facilities to support the widespread use of electric vehicles.
North America
North America mainly uses the CCS1 standard based on J1772. The maximum AC voltage is 240V AC and the maximum current is 80A; the maximum DC voltage is 1000V DC and the maximum current is 400A. Electric vehicle manufacturers in the United States and Canada will design the vehicle's charging interface according to the CCS1 standard so that electric vehicles can match local charging facilities. However, it should be noted that Tesla has its own independent charging standard NACS in the United States. Although Tesla vehicles can use CCS1 charging facilities through adapters, Tesla's super charging station network is mainly based on its own NACS standard.
Japan
Japan's electric vehicle charging standard is mainly the Chademo protocol. Chademo is a DC fast charging standard that has been widely used in Japan. However, in recent years, Japan has also gradually promoted CSS charging facilities to achieve alignment with international standards and improve the charging compatibility of electric vehicles between different countries and regions. Some Japanese electric vehicle manufacturers have also begun to produce models that support CSS charging to meet the needs of the global market.
Challenges and future trends
1. Existing challenges :
- Infrastructure cost : CSS charging piles are not widely used. In some remote areas and old residential areas, the number and distribution density of charging piles are insufficient. The construction of charging piles requires a lot of capital and land resources, and the carrying capacity and wiring of the power grid need to be considered, which brings difficulties to the large-scale construction of charging piles.
- Regional standard differences : Electric vehicles produced by different automakers may have differences in charging interfaces, communication protocols, etc., which makes some CSS charging piles incompatible with all electric vehicles. For example, some early electric vehicles may not support the latest CSS fast charging protocol, making it impossible for these vehicles to achieve fast charging on new fast charging piles.
2. Future development direction :
Higher charging power: With the development of technology, the charging power of CSS charging piles will continue to increase, and faster charging speeds can be achieved. For example, some charging piles can now provide 350kW or even higher charging power, and this number may be further increased in the future, which will greatly shorten the charging time of electric vehicles and improve user experience.
Intelligence and networking: In the future, CSS charging piles will be more intelligent, with functions such as intelligent charging management, remote monitoring, and fault diagnosis. Through intelligent connection with the power grid and vehicles, it can automatically adjust the charging strategy according to factors such as power grid load and vehicle battery status, improve charging efficiency and power grid stability. At the same time, users can remotely control the charging piles through mobile phone applications, query charging status, make appointments for charging, etc., and manage the charging process conveniently and quickly.
Standardization and globalization: In order to promote the global popularity of electric vehicles, CSS standards will continue to be improved and unified. Various countries and regions in the world will strengthen cooperation to promote thestandardization of charging interfaces, communication protocols, etc., so that electric vehicles can be more conveniently charged using different charging piles worldwide and eliminate compatibility barriers.
Integration with renewable energy: With the rapid development of renewable energy, solar energy, wind energy, etc. will be more widely used in the field of electric vehicle charging. CSS charging piles will be combined with renewable energy generation equipment to achieve a green and low-carbon charging mode. For example, some charging piles will be equipped with solar panels or connected to wind farms to use electricity generated by renewable energy to charge electric vehicles, reduce dependence on traditional fossil energy and reduce carbon emissions.
3. Policy promotion :
- The US Bipartisan Infrastructure Act plans to invest $7.5 billion to expand the CCS network.
- The EU requires a ban on the sale of fuel vehicles in 2035 and accelerates CCS coverage.
Summarize
CCS has become the mainstream solution for electric vehicle charging through standardized interfaces and high compatibility. Despite the challenges of cost and regional differences, its technological iteration and policy support will promote the efficient integration of the global charging network and help the electrification transformation. In the future, CCS may be combined with wireless charging and autonomous driving to reshape the energy supply ecosystem.
