Tesla Model S Charging Inlet In Europe

Tesla Motors recently started selling its Model S in Europe.

As Elon Musk stated at Geneva Motor Show (see video below), the European Model S is equipped with a different charging inlet than in the US, because it needs to handle 3-phase that’s popular in Europe.

Q: Definitive answer on the charge-plug on the EU versions?
A: Mennekes Type 2



In fact, Tesla adopted the Mennekes Type 2 charging port, but reinforced it for higher power needed for Supercharging.

According to Mennekes, the standard Type 2 can handle up to 43 kW AC (3-phase), 70 kW DC and about 100 kW with additional DC pins.

Tesla used a version without additional pins, so 70 kW was too low for SC.

How much current will the European Model S plug and inlet handle now? We’re still unsure, but we’re assuming it’ll probably be comparable to the Model S in the US.

The same inlet will be of course used for AC charging via an on-board 10 or 20 kW charger. Both three phase.

Model S owners will be able to charge from any Type 2 points without adapters in Europe, and from 1- and 3-phase via adapters.

Sadly, at least for now, Model S owners will not be able to charge from CHAdeMO or CCS.

In other words, in terms of DC charging, Tesla go its own way as it does now in the US.



Source: Inside EVs

Renault & Schneider Electric Charging Stations

While I was at the Renault EV Center (Centre Renault ZE) to see the now famous ZOE, I took some pictures of the different charging options proposed by Renault, through Schneider Electric

Summary of all standards available now:

In France, it looks like a standard would be to have a Type 3 charge port on the station side and a Type 1 (= J1772) charge port on the vehicle side; That is what we can see here:

Vehicle side: J1772 or Type 1

Charger / Charge station side: Type 3

This is a Quick Charger: It says 400V, 43kW AC, the port here is a Type 2

Of course every car from the ZE line comes with the basic EVSE, to plug in any 220V outlet and J1772 on the vehicle side (that's what I use on a daily basis with the LEAF and it is fine)

Autolib Free Charge Test with the LEAF

As promised, I did the test of opening an Autolib lid, and using the J1772 connector, connected to the LEAF charge port, try see if it charges: No luck nothing will happen but the ussual beeping sound coming from the LEAF detecting a plug is connected, but that's it
The power is probably cut off before inside the charge station and the use of a proper RFid badge is mandatory ... (which seams normal)

Autolib station in Saint Ouen next to L'OREAL & Nokia is now up and running

During lunch break, I took some time to go see this new Autolib EV rental station:

It is now up and running, all 6 charging ports are locked with a green light on top, and the central booking unit is ON, its webcam, ID /License scanner, booking touch screen, and  a big blue light on top

Actually this blue light on top of this main unit is to signal that this station is accepting third party EVs for charging: Autolib has set up some stations with ports including an additional 220V regular outlet to plug in any EV (electric scooter, electric car with a trickle charge EVSE, etc); You have to pay 180 EUR for a year and you can charge, using an Autolib car spot, for up to 2 hours only though

=> I think this is great because it just that multiplies the overall number of charging stations in Paris + surrounding cities  :-)

PS: I will soon include a vidéo [here] as soon as I can get a WiFi connection (from home tonight I guess)

Waiting for the cars.....