(SAE: Warrendale, PA) -- Electric car manufacturers in the United States are leaning toward adopting a quick-charge connector standard proposed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International, according to recent reports. This charge format provides for a single, multi-function interface built into the vehicle, rather than two separate plugs.

“Automotive companies are lobbying for only one opening for powering the car to allow for cleaner design,” says Craig Childers, a zero-emissions specialist at the California Air Resources Board, as quoted on the All Cars Electric website.

As Jack Pokrzywa, director of SAE International’s Ground Vehicle Standards program explained to Electric Vehicle Update, “The approach in the United States, which is also gaining more support in Europe, is to have a combination coupler that will be an AC as well as a DC standard.”

The SAE J1772 combo-coupler charging standard is being developed through a consensus-based process with the participation of more than 100 international stakeholders from car manufacturers, electric utilities, electric vehicle (EV) charging station companies, suppliers, and software companies. This standard is estimated to be approved and released at the beginning of 2012.

The proposed SAE J1772 combo-coupler is designed to accommodate AC L1 and L2 as well as DC L1 and L2 charging all in a single vehicle inlet. Vehicles using this coupler could be capable of being charged at 12 amps—from a regular 110 VAC wall outlet (1.4 kW), up to 80 amps at 240 VAC (19.2 kW) or up to 200 amps—200 to 450 VDC 90 kW DC.

Communications between the vehicle and off-board charger as well as communication between the vehicle and smart grid will be done by power line carrier technology and requires no extra pins in the coupler.

The communications technology also enables other customer-focused features such as accessing the vehicle infotainment system to download multimedia files or receive diagnostic information from the vehicle. Other DC L2 charging system proposals require a separate coupler for AC and DC charging as well as unique control interfaces of AC and DC charging. The SAE combo solution represents an integrated solution to charging, allowing for future customer features enabled by communication with the vehicle.

The proposed SAE J1772 combo-coupler design provides interchangeability of the J1772 AC level 1 and AC level 2 charge connector currently used by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The adaptability of the new J1772 combo-coupler receptacle to the previous J1772 design connector provides OEMs and electric vehicle supply equipment businesses with cost-effective options.