Blog > J1772 Plugs: A Guide to Home EV Charging Compatibility
First things first: what are J1772 Plugs? The J1772 plug has a history that goes back to the late 20th century when car companies and others saw the need for a universal way to charge electric cars. In the mid-2000s, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) worked together to create the J1772 standard. This benchmark was designed to be easy to use and safe, and it allows both regular and fast charging. It has been updated over time to keep up with new technology and the growing number of electric cars on the road, helping more people switch to electric transportation.
Without standardization, electric vehicle charging would be chaotic. Imagine if each car brand had its own charger, similar to having different phone chargers for every brand of smartphone. This would create problems such as being unable to charge your car at certain stations, making it difficult to travel; manufacturing all these different chargers costs a lot, potentially increasing the price of EVs; moreover, due to the confusion and higher costs, fewer people might want to buy EVs, slowing down the switch to electric transportation. Furthermore, without standard chargers, safety issues could arise, such as compatibility problems between chargers which can increase the possibility of accidents. Thankfully, J1772 plugs simplify and improve safety by providing all EVs with a common charger to use.