The plug-in vehicles developed in the 1990's ushered in the first standards for electrified vehicles. These standards included requirements for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment or EVSEs. EVSE is a general term for all the non vehicle components needed to charge a plug-in vehicle. These components include cabling, connectors and shock safety equipment. EVSEs are used to charge vehicles at home, work and in commercial settings.
Many people identify EVSEs with public charge stations. While public charge stations are iconic with plug-in vehicles, these are just one type of EVSE. Until public EVSEs become readily available, plug-in vehicle drivers will need to partially rely on portable versions of EVSE.
Portable EVSEs are required to provide the identical function and safety protection as their stationary cousins but their portability brings unique challenges and design considerations.
Thermal, vibration, ergonomic and vehicle storage are just a few of the challenges facing design of portable EVSEs that stationary EVSEs are completely or partially immune to.
This paper will explore the development of the portable EVSE for the Chevrolet Volt. Aspects of the portable EVSE design that will be explored include: