NEC definitely allows cord-and-plug connected 240V EVSEs

[LEAFer]

...But it's not up to the NEC.

To view the 'rules of installation' from one of the 'local jurisdictions' that adopted the guidance into law, enjoy this "ELECTRIC VEHICLE
INFRASTRUCTURE INSTALLATION GUIDE" from Pacific Gas and Electric:
http://www.pge.com/includes/docs/pdfs/a ... ehicle.pdf

THANKS ! I did "enjoy" that

It's from 1999, but page 13 (also page 20 on left-side index), says (in part) (color emphasis and square bracket comments are mine):

B. EVSE Used in Level 2 Installations
The code and regulatory requirements that affect Level 2 EVSE (apart from those listed in the
section on Level 1 EVSE) include:
* Overcurrent Protection: [... paragraph skipped ... ]
* Safety Switch: [... paragraph skipped ... ]
* Receptacle and Wall Plug: Where the EVSE calls for an in-wall receptacle, a 50 amp, 240
volt, 3- or 4-wire wall plug configuration is required. However, most charging equipment will
be directly wired, eliminating the need for an in-wall receptacle. Level 2 EV connectors are
designed so that they cannot be used with receptacles for other electric equipment, and the
EVSE is labeled “For Use With Electric Vehicles” (CEC §625.15, 625.16).

Edit: ooops, sorry. Wayne and I were typing at the same time ...

[wwhitney]

BTW, my theory on the language in the bchydro/etec report we've been discussing: I bet it is from the NEC Handbook. The handbook includes the NEC and adds commentary on each article. The commentary is not enacted into law by any jurisdiction and is not enforceable. I expect that the language on Level 2 charging that the report quoted is from the Handbook commentary and is misidentified in the report.

Scratch that, I checked the 2005 and 2008 NEC Handbooks, and the language is not there.

Cheers, Wayne

[AndyH]

If you want to see a L2 device connected to the grid with a plug, you will NOT want to look at page 8 or 9 of this late 2009 doc from PG&E.

http://www.sfenvironment.org/downloads/ ... arging.pdf

Basics of Electric Vehicle Charging
Bay Area EV Corridor
Public-Private Forum &
Workshop
September 16, 2009
San Jose, California

They very clearly show a plug for L1 - it would be so easy to show a plug for L2! They could use a dryer plug or a range plug - the images are all over the internet - just grab one! But they don't... <shrug>

To be fair, all the docs I've found so far are devoted to infrastructure which by definition is hardwired. L1 is the only device they even consider as being portable. Regulation? Ignorance? Wishful thinking? Dunno. Curious, though.

[AndyH]

http://www.nepower.org/NPA_presentation ... liwell.pdf

This March 2010 paper from the Electric Power Research Institute gives a thorough overview of EVs from a utility perspective.

Page 14 shows that L1 EVSE is cord and plug while L2 is a 'permanently mounted box'.
Interesting picture on page 15 of a cord and plug L1 unit with what looks to be an adapter and 220 plug...

[LEAFer]

Interesting picture on page 15 of a cord and plug L1 unit with what looks to be an adapter and 220 plug...

That's the Tesla MC240 (renamed to the simpler "UMC") ... and it's definitely Level 2 ... Hmmm ...
(see http://shop.teslamotors.com/collections ... tober-2009)