- ChargePoint has a new one-size-fits-all solution to public charging with the introduction of the “Omni Port.”
- The Omni Port combines the Level 2 SAE J1772 plug with the Combined Charging System (CCS1) and Tesla’s NACS plugs.
- According to ChargePoint, users on the network enter their vehicle’s make and model, and then the charger deploys the correct port as needed.
The electric-vehicle charging landscape is a confusing one. Don’t believe us? Ask any friend with an EV what they think about Chevy Bolt owners using their local fast-charger. ChargePoint, an EV charging company, aims to simplify the process for EV owners throughout North America with its new “Omni Port.”
The Omni Port combines the Level 2 SAE J1772 plug with the Combined Charging System (CCS1) plug and Tesla’s proprietary North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug. The new single port lets both Tesla and non-Tesla EV drivers pull up and charge at the same station without having to choose between plugs.
Because electric vehicles from various automakers currently have different charging ports, not all EVs can replenish their battery at every charger. To simplify the process for consumers, automakers have been signing up, one at a time, to adopt Tesla’s NACS plug, though none have actually made the shift yet. You can find the full list of automakers who have agreed to join the NACS network here.
According to ChargePoint, people who use the ChargePoint network will simply enter their vehicle’s make and model into the app and then initiate a charge. Omni Port-equipped charging stations will then automatically deploy the correct plug for your vehicle. Customers who aren’t on the ChargePoint network can still make use of the technology by manually selecting the correct plug at the station.
ChargePoint’s Omni Port will begin rolling out later this year at new locations as well as existing AC and DC stations. The Omni Port can also be added to existing ChargePoint CP6000 and Express Plus Power Link 2000 models at a nominal cost, according to the company.
The company is touting the new system as the “only publicly available solution to solve North America’s EV connector confusion across AC and DC charging.” In the words of the brand’s CEO Rick Wilmer, “With Omni port, ChargePoint solved the challenges associated with a multiple connector environment, ensuring Tesla and non-Tesla drivers can continue to expect a world-class driver experience.” We’d also suggest adding a sign scaring Bolt owners away from DC fast-chargers.
Jack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1.
After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf.
Source: Motor - aranddriver.com
