(Detroit, April 2009) If plug-in vehicles are to become a viable mainstream option for most consumers, people need to be confident that they can charge their vehicles wherever they might go. In order for that to happen cars need to be just like other electrical devices that can get juice from any standard outlet. The Society of Automotive Engineers works with manufacturers, suppliers and governments to define all manner of standards for ground vehicles.

An SAE task force is currently working on J1772, a standard for conductive charging connectors for plug-in vehicles. J1772 is nearing its final stages and is expected to be finalized by fall 2009. The proposed plug design is a round five pin connector 43 mm in diameter that was initially developed by electrical systems supplier Yazaki. The task force began its work in early 2007 and the proposed plug was adopted in January 2008.

The proposed plug was tested and evaluated by the task force which includes representatives from General Motors, Chrysler, Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Tesla and other companies throughout 2008. The J1772 plug is also expected to be adopted by Japanese standards bodies. In late 2008 the connector was submitted to Underwriters Laboratories for certification testing. That UL testing is expected to be completed by the end of May 2009. Once UL has certified the plug, the task force will begin the balloting process on the standard with final ratification expected in the fall.

The automakers that are participating in the process as well as others have committed to using the standard plug on upcoming electric vehicles including the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, Chrysler's EVs and more. Tesla has also agreed to retrofit its vehicles vehicles with the standard plug.

The proposed connector is designed to handle charging from single phase AC circuits with up to 240 V and 70 A. The plug supports proximity sensing to prevent drive-away while plugged in as well as communications over the power-lines to allow the vehicle to communicate with the charge station. The connector is also designed to withstand a minimum of 10,000 plug/unplug cycles as well as exposure to the environment.

The industry wide adoption of this standard connector will allow companies and governments that implement public charging networks to be confident that drivers of electric vehicles will actually be able to use them.