Electric vehicles ready to charge ahead – two new IEC Standards
The publication of two International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) electric vehicle (EV) charging Standards lifts a
major hurdle for the EV charging infrastructure and supports the mass adoption of electric vehicles. The two Standards
reflect a global consensus on the plugs and sockets that are needed to charge EVs.
The Standards are:
• IEC 62196-1:2011 Plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors, and vehicle inlets – Conductive charging of electric
vehicles – Part 1: General requirements
• IEC 62196-2:2011 Plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors, and vehicle inlets – Conductive charging of electric
vehicles – Part 2: Dimensional compatibility and interchangeability requirements for a.c. pin and contact-tube
accessories
The Standards pull together the huge volume of research and development on EV charging mechanisms from around the world
and address the diverse electricity infrastructure and regulations in different countries.
The Standards will help to avoid the very real risk that incompatible solutions would be developed by separate
organisations in different regions, something that would clearly be against the best interests of the worldwide vehicle
manufacturing industry. Read more>>.
* Order IEC 61851-1:2010 Electric vehicle conductive charging system – Part 1: General requirements
* Order IEC 62196-1:2011 Plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors, and vehicle inlets – Conductive charging of electric vehicles – Part 1:
General requirements
Related Standard
• IEC 62196-2:2011 Plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors, and vehicle inlets – Conductive charging of electric vehicles – Part 2:
Dimensional compatibility and interchangeability requirements for a.c. pin and contact-tube accessories
Related Touchstone articles
•Electric vehicle deployment – partnership of industry leaders will help consumers plug in, June 2011.
•Electric vehicle roll-out – crucial role of international Standards, February 2011.
About Standards New Zealand
Standards New Zealand is the operating arm of the Standards Council, and part of New Zealand’s standards and conformance
infrastructure. Standards New Zealand is an autonomous Crown entity responsible for managing the development and
distribution of Standards across a range of sectors nationally.
Standards New Zealand is a self-funded, not-for-profit organisation, relying on revenue primarily from contracts with
sponsors to develop Standards, and from sales of Standards publications. Our independence helps us facilitate a cross
section of stakeholders’ contributions to the development of Standards, and ensure that each Standard meets the needs of
end users.
Stay in touch
Read Touchstone, Standards New Zealand’s free monthly electronic magazine, for the latest Standards news. Subscribe to
Touchstone here.
The question is not what you gain from standardisation, it’s what you lose without it.
ENDS