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Imagine cruising through our beautiful Irish countryside in your EV, confident that you can top up the battery to 80% in a mere 15 minutes at the next rapid charging station with a CCS charger. But what is a CCS charger, and how is it different from other electric car chargers? In our latest blog post, we will explain what CCS stands for, how it works, where CCS charging stations can be found in Ireland, and why this technology is changing the EV charging game.
What is a CCS Charger?
CCS is the abbreviation of ‘Combined Charging System’ and is a fast charging connector that is specifically meant for electric vehicles and is capable of providing high-power DC charging. CCS uses the Type 2 charging plug which is the European standard but has two additional pins at the bottom for the DC power. This means that a CCS connector can support both AC and DC charging and all this through a single plug. The main advantage of CCS is that it supports fast charging. While a typical Type 2 charger uses AC power to charge your car up to 22 kW, a CCS charger can provide DC power up to 50 kW or more. This allows CCS stations to charge an EV to 80% in about 15 minutes – a real game changer for electric car owners who need to charge their cars on long journeys.
How Do CCS Chargers Work?
When you connect your EV to the CCS charging station, the car and charger establish communication to establish a safe connection, (more info on – EV Charging Station Contractors). The two extra pins on the CCS connector enable the direct current (DC) to directly flow into the vehicle’s battery without going through the car’s onboard charger. This is why a CCS can provide such fast charging times as compared to AC chargers. Most of the modern electric cars, including Volkswagen ID.3, Hyundai Kona Electric and Jaguar I-PACE, are equipped with a CCS charging port. The port has a standard Type 2 upper section for AC charging and two additional DC pins below it. This means you can use the same port for AC charging at home or at work, and fast DC charging at CCS stations when traveling for longer distances.
CCS vs Other Fast Charging Standards
CCS is not the only fast charging standard available. The main rival is CHAdeMO, a Japanese-developed standard which was used in the first generations of electric vehicles. But CCS is now the preferred option for most automakers in Europe and North America. Tesla has its own proprietary Supercharger network, however, newer Tesla models in Europe come with a CCS port for compatibility with public chargers. One of the advantages of CCS over CHAdeMO is that it uses the same Type 2 plug for both AC and DC charging through a single connector. CHAdeMO cars have a separate Type 1 or Type 2 inlet for AC charging and a dedicated CHAdeMO inlet for quick charging. As the EVs are being improved, the manufacturers are sticking to CCS as the standard for better compatibility between the vehicles and charging stations.
Where to Find CCS Chargers in Ireland
The ESB provides a vast number of public EV chargers all across the country and most of them are CCS charging stations. These rapid chargers are located along the motorways and major roads as well as in towns and cities to enable easy fast charging. You can find CCS stations at petrol stations, shopping centres, car parks, and other strategic locations. To discover where your nearest CCS charger is located, you can use the ESB eCars charging map on their website or smartphone application. The map has a filter function where you can select the connector type, and this will help you look for CCS stations only.
Costs and Payment Options
As of August 2020, ESB rapid chargers are no longer free to use. Our pricing example is based on the amount of electricity consumed, charged at a rate of 30c per kWh (price for example and subject to fluctuation). This is still very competitive compared to petrol or diesel costs, working out at around €14 for 200 km of range in a typical EV.
To use an ESB CCS charger, you’ll need to sign up for an account and add payment details. You can then use the ESB app or your RFID card to authenticate at the charger and start your session. The cost will be automatically deducted from your account once the session ends. While rapid charging is more expensive per kWh than charging at home, the speed and convenience can be a lifesaver on those longer trips.
Benefits of CCS Fast Charging for Irish EV Owners
CCS charging makes a huge difference for electric car owners in Ireland. You no longer have to worry about the mileage of your EV because there are rapid chargers all over the country that can help you recharge your car quickly. This removes the ‘range anxiety’ that could stop people from choosing an electric car. For day-to-day use, CCS charging is perfect for use with home charging. You can take advantage of lower electricity rates by charging your vehicle overnight with a standard Type 2 AC charger. Then, for the occasional longer trip, CCS stations allow you to charge up en route very quickly. It is the perfect combination for an EV owner’s requirements.
Tips for Using CCS Chargers
If you are new to CCS charging, then here are some tips that will help you get the most from your charging:
1. Download the ESB eCars app and create an account for your car before your first CCS session. This will make it easier and faster to begin charging when you get to the charging station.
2. It is advisable to check your car’s manual to understand how to prepare your car for CCS charging. Although the basic process is the same across models, there may be some differences.
3. It is always important to follow the instructions that are provided on the CCS charger display. It is also important to make sure that the connector is fully plugged in and that it is returned to its holster after use.
4. In case a charger is not functioning or is defective or broken, report it to ESB customer support so they can come and fix it.
The Future of CCS Charging in Ireland
As the Irish government continues to implement plans to increase the number of electric vehicles on the roads, the development of the fast-charging CCS infrastructure is among the key objectives. Looking further ahead, it is expected that higher-power CCS chargers will also become available. Today, 50 kW is the standard, but some networks are already deploying 150 kW and even 350 kW ultra-fast chargers. These could charge an EV to 80% in less than 5 minutes, which is on par with filling a petrol car. As more CCS stations are installed and charging technology improves, having and using an electric vehicle in Ireland will become even more enjoyable. Fast, reliable and convenient charging will be the norm and this will help in the move towards sustainable and environmentally friendly transport.
Happy electric motoring!
