Fact Check: The CCS plug uses its CAN high and CAN low pins for communication between vehicle and charging station.

The Claim: "The CCS plug uses its CAN high and CAN low pins for communication between vehicle and charging station."

Introduction

The claim in question asserts that the Combined Charging System (CCS) plug utilizes its CAN high and CAN low pins for communication between electric vehicles (EVs) and charging stations. This statement touches on the technical aspects of EV charging standards, specifically how communication protocols are implemented in the CCS framework.

What We Know

CCS Overview: The Combined Charging System is a standard for charging electric vehicles that integrates both AC and DC charging capabilities into a single connector. It was introduced in 2011 and has gained widespread adoption in the EV market 1 4.
Communication Protocols: CCS employs various communication protocols to facilitate the interaction between the vehicle and the charging station. According to the IEC 61851-1 standard, high-level communication is essential for DC charging, which can involve protocols such as ISO 15118 and DIN 70121 2 6.
CAN Protocol: The Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol is a robust vehicle bus standard that allows microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other without a host computer. It is commonly used in automotive applications for various communication tasks 2 4.
Pin Configuration: The CCS connector includes several pins, with specific pins designated for communication. While some sources mention the use of dedicated communication pins, the exact role of the CAN high and CAN low pins in the CCS context is less frequently detailed 5 7.
Charging Speed: CCS is designed for high-power DC fast charging, which can significantly reduce charging times compared to traditional AC charging methods 3 4.

Analysis

The claim that the CCS plug uses its CAN high and CAN low pins for communication is plausible given the context of the CCS standard and the general use of CAN in automotive communications. However, the specifics of how these pins are utilized in the CCS framework require careful examination.

Source Reliability: The Wikipedia entry on CCS 1 is a generally reliable source for introductory information but may not provide the depth needed for technical specifics. It is important to cross-reference with more specialized sources.
Technical Articles: The article from Wolfspeed 2 discusses the communication protocols used in EV charging, including the role of CAN. However, it does not explicitly confirm that the CAN high and CAN low pins are the ones used for CCS communication, which raises questions about the completeness of this information.
Conflicting Information: Other sources, such as the CCS overview from Everything PE 4 and the guide from Stedman's Garage 7, mention communication but do not specify the exact pins used. This lack of detail suggests that while CAN may be involved, it is not definitively stated that the CAN high and low pins are exclusively responsible for communication in the CCS context.
Methodological Concerns: The methodology behind determining which pins are used for communication in CCS could benefit from more empirical evidence or technical specifications from standards organizations or manufacturers. This would help clarify the claim's accuracy.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The assertion that the CCS plug uses its CAN high and CAN low pins for communication is partially true. While the CCS standard does incorporate communication protocols that may involve the CAN protocol, the specific use of the CAN high and CAN low pins for this purpose is not definitively established in the available literature. Sources indicate that communication is essential for CCS operation, but they do not provide conclusive evidence that these particular pins are exclusively responsible for that communication.

It is important to note that the ambiguity surrounding the exact role of the CAN pins highlights a gap in the available technical documentation. This uncertainty suggests that while the claim has merit, it lacks comprehensive support from authoritative sources.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information regarding EV charging standards and seek out reliable, detailed technical resources to gain a clearer understanding of the subject matter.