SAE Publishes Charging Recommendation for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicles
The Society of Automotive Engineers developed a recommended practice for plug-in charging of heavy duty electric vehicles. The new standard was designed to offer a single vehicle charging coupler solution for three-phase and single-phase AC and DC charging.
The J3068 coupler was developed from existing international standards, which were extended to cover higher North American grid voltages and higher power levels. Photo: SAE
The Society of Automotive Engineers developed a recommended practice for plug-in charging of heavy duty electric vehicles. The new standard was designed to offer a single vehicle charging coupler solution for three-phase and single-phase AC and DC charging.
SAE approved a new, three-phase coupler for plug-in charging of electric vehicles, along with the organization’s recommended practice for plug-in charging of such vehicles.
Dubbed the J3068 Electric Vehicle Power Transfer System, the new coupler was developed from existing international standards, which were extended to cover higher North American grid voltages and higher power levels.
According to SAE, J3068 allows vehicles to fully utilize three-phase AC power where it is available and preferred, such as at commercial and industrial locations.
J3068 was developed in a consensus process by SAE International's Medium and Heavy Duty Vehicle Conductive Charging Task Force Committee, which is made up of more than 100 global experts from the automotive industry, utilities, charging equipment manufacturers, national laboratories, and academia.
"This new standard was designed to offer a single vehicle charging coupler solution for three-phase and single-phase AC and DC charging for a class of vehicles," said Rodney McGee, chief engineer of EV Projects at the University of Delaware and chair of the SAE Medium and Heavy Duty Vehicle Conductive Charging Task Force. "We wanted to combine this new approach for AC charging with 1000V DC charging based on existing SAE communication standards."
"The goals of J3068 include bringing a proven, mass produced three-phase charging coupler to North America, and establishing a low-cost, reliable communication and control protocol for AC with inherently high interoperability" said Jim McLaughlin, document sponsor and retired Mack Trucks electrical engineer. "High power AC charging has cost advantages in many use cases, and three-phase charging simplifies balancing of the power grid."
For more information about "J3068: Electric Vehicle Power Transfer System Using a Three-Phase Capable Coupler," or to purchase the standard, go to: https://www.sae.org/standards/content/j3068_201804/.
Related: Mack to Build Electric Refuse Trucks for New York City
More Fuel Smarts
Cummins Adjusts 2027 Engine Rollout After EPA Proposal
The engine maker will gradually introduce its new Model Year 2027 diesel engines while continuing to offer current models during the transition, citing the EPA's proposed emissions rule changes.
Read More →
EPA Proposal Could Ease 2027 Truck Costs and Buying Uncertainty
The proposal doesn't change the tougher NOx standard, but it would revise key implementation requirements that manufacturers say have driven up costs and complicated fleet purchasing decisions.
Read More →
Cummins, Paccar Ease DEF Derates After EPA Guidance
Updated diesel engine software gives truck operators more time to address emissions-system issues while staying compliant with EPA emissions standards.
Read More →
Maintenance in the Messy Middle Part 3: Biodiesel
Biodiesel can reduce emissions, improve fuel-system lubricity and use existing diesel infrastructure. But NACFE’s Messy Middle maintenance report says fleets must actively manage storage, cold-weather operation, filters and oil drain intervals to avoid problems.
Read More →
Enhance Fleet Performance with High-Efficiency Auxiliary Power Units
Drive sustainable cost savings while increasing driver comfort during short- and long-haul logistics operations.
Read More →
Maintenance in the ‘Messy Middle’ Part 2: Renewable Diesel Fuel
NACFE's latest Messy Middle Powertrain Service & Maintenance report says renewable diesel gives fleets an opportunity to reduce carbon emissions without changing trucks, fueling infrastructure or maintenance practices. But technicians still need to understand several important operational differences.
Read More →
The Diesel Engine Enters NACFE’s ‘Messy Middle’
NACFE’s new Messy Middle Powertrain Service & Maintenance report says keeping modern diesel engines running now depends as much on software, diagnostics and data as traditional mechanical service.
Read More →
DTNA Software Update Gives Truckers More Time Before DEF Derates Take Effect
The changes reflect EPA guidance aimed at reducing downtime caused by emissions-system faults while maintaining compliance requirements.
Read More →
New Agentic Predictive Maintenance Report Demonstrates How Degraded Aftertreatment Systems Waste Fuel
Questar analyzed a large mixed-class fleet and discovered it was wasting as much as $30 in fuel per vehicle, per day, because of mechanically degraded aftertreatment systems.
Read More →
New York City's Microhub Project is Delivering Results
Trucking, last-mile delivery companies, and environmental advocates like what they are seeing so far with New York's microhub program.
Read More →