Hi all.
Context
I have been looking at EV charging infrastructure and how we map this in OpenStreetMap. EV charging has evolved as EVs have become more of a mature and widely adopted technology. As such there are some things about the way we tag them in OpenStreetMap that seem odd now. I will start with Tesla charging sockets.
My proposal (for discussion):
- Deprecate socket:tesla_supercharger=*
- Deprecate socket:tesla_destination=*
- Add socket:nacs=* (for use in North America). [Related Item 10 as NACS can be used for AC and DC charging but I don’t think we want socket:dc_nacs and socket:ac_nacs]
- Keep socket:type2_combo=* (Europe), socket:gb_ac= and socket:gb_dc (China).
- Unclear if we need to add/create socket:gb_ac_cable=* the same way we have type2 and type2_cable. Need a local mapper to confirm.
- Add/create socket:dc_type2_cable for older European tesla superchargers that still have the DC type 2 cable (physically this is the same as type2_cable but it utilises the DC via type 2 functionality. [Related: Item 10]
- Use access=customers for Superchargers that can only be used by Tesla vehicles.
- Encourage use of the brand=Tesla Supercharger / network=Tesla Supercharger / brand=Tesla Destination Charger / network=Tesla Destination Charger tags already in use to differentiate between Tesla’s DC (fast) and AC (slow) charging network. [I’m not sure whether brand or network key is better, both are in use today]
- Encourage the use of the socket::output= kW tag so mappers can capture the actual power of each charger (useful for non-telsa users using tesla chargers)
- Option: Do we need a tag to indicate if the charger/socket is DC/AC/both.…?
- Option: Should we create a tag to indicate the presence of the “Magic Dock” adapter?
In detail / my research
Unlike for everything else in the socket key, the socket:tesla_supercharger tag can mean 3 different physical socket/connector designs depending on where in the world you are. This is because the socket / cable used to charge Tesla cars is not consistent around the world. There are 3 systems:
- NACS (North America, Japan and Korea; NACS is a new name since Tesla pushed for it to be adopted as standard)
- GB/T (China)
- CCS2 (Rest of world)
North American Charging System (NACS)
Developed by Tesla and initially for Tesla vehicles only. Opened up for other manufacturers to use in 2022. Now widely adopted for EV sales in the USA. The physical plug is still the same but the signalling/comms was changed from CAN bus to CCS protocol.
Tesla vehicles built prior to 2021 are incompatible with the CCS protocol and require a retrofit to become compatible with CCS. However, the Tesla Supercharger network remains backward compatible with the prior proprietary CAN bus standard (i.e. Tesla chargers can use both the CAN bus and CCS protocol depending on what vehicle is connected).
NACS can support both AC charging and DC fast charging.
An adapter (called the “Magic Dock”) is available at (some?) V3 and (all?) V4 Tesla Superchargers so that (non-tesla) cars with a CCS1 socket can be plugged in. Given the adoption of NACS by all major car manufacturers in the region, this might fall away in time, leaving it to the customer to carry around the adapter if they need it. You can also get a NACS to Type 1 adapter if you only need AC charging.
China (GB/T)
Two different connectors: GB/T 20234.2 for AC charging and GB/T 20234.3 for DC fast charging. Tesla vehicles have both connectors (AC left, DC right).
Note that the GB/T AC socket looks similar to the Type 2 socket used in Europe, and while their male and female connectors are physically the same, they are not overall identical as they have different configurations and signalling. While the European implementation of Type 2 (IEC 62196-2 Type 2) uses a female connector and male vehicle inlet, GB/T 20234.2 specifies a male connector and female vehicle inlet. Furthermore the signalling differs.
Rest of world
Here type2 is used for AC charging, and type2 combo (also known as CCS2) is used for DC fast charging.
Note that you can also do “DC low” and “DC mid” charging just with the type2 connector; the Combo 2 extension adds two extra high-current DC pins underneath (making type2 combo) to allow “DC High” (DC fast) charging. Tesla made use of this with vehicles sold before May 2019 only having the type2 connector but allowing for DC charging at the Tesla Superchargers (tesla call this “DC Type 2”). Vehicles built from May 2019 have the full type2 combo socket.
All Tesla V2 superchargers in Europe feature dual-cable posts to accommodate for DC type 2 and type 2 combo charge ports. V3 superchargers just have the type 2 combo cable and older vehicles wanting to use these need to get a hardware upgrade.
Access to other brands
Some Tesla chargers can only be used by Tesla vehicles. Others have been opened up so vehicles from other manufacturers can use them.
Conclusion
Keeping socket:tesla_supercharger and socket:tesla_destination tags seems odd to me and not in line with the general use of the socket key. My proposals for what to change are laid out above.
I look forward to your thoughts and feedback.