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CHAdeMO charging

Fast and safe charging with CHAdeMO

Electric vehicles (EVs) need to be plugged in to charge. There are currently four types of plugs: two use AC power while two use DC power. For each type of plug, there are two standards that must be complied with. CHAdeMO is one of the standards used for DC chargers (fast chargers) to connect your EV to a DC charging station. With a CHAdeMO connector you can charge an electric car with direct current. DEKRA is the only certification body in the Netherlands authorized to certify CHAdeMO charging. Our experts have all the up-to-date knowledge for this.

What is the difference between CHAdeMO and CCS?

CHAdeMO and CCS are the two main fast charging standards for electric vehicles. The difference between the two lies in their design and application. CHAdeMO, developed in Japan, supports bi-directional charging, meaning the power can both charge and discharge, a convenient option for energy return to the grid. CCS (Combined Charging System), popular in Europe and North America, combines AC and DC charging in one connection, making it compatible with both fast-charging and regular charging stations, offering flexibility for various charging speeds.

So in Europe, where we know the charging standard CCS, CHAdeMO is the Japanese counterpart. Vehicles from Nissan and Toyota (Japan) and Kia (Korea) therefore have CHAdeMO connectors. Also, fast chargers have a CHAdeMO charging port. Japanese and Korean cars are popular in Europe, which is why the CHAdeMO standard is being applied in Europe too. Both CHAdeMO charging and CCS connectors can be found at many charging stations across Europe.

What are the versions of CHAdeMO?

CHAdeMO is an abbreviation of ‘CHArge de MOve’, deriving from the Japanese ‘O cha demo ikaga desuka’. This is the Japanese for 'How about a cup of tea?', referring to the time it takes to charge an electric car. Since its introduction, there have been six versions of CHAdeMO: 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 2.0 and 3.0. The maximum charging capacity depends on the CHAdeMO version used and the voltage of the battery being charged. We will take a closer look at three CHAdeMO versions: CHAdeMO 1.1, CHAdeMO 2.0 and CHAdeMO 3.0.

CHAdeMO 1.1
CHAdeMO 1.1 makes it possible to charge at a rate of up to 62.5 kW. The CHAdeMO 1.1 version introduced an emergency stop button and the option of dynamic charging.
CHAdeMO 2.0
CHAdeMO 2.0 was launched in 2018. This allowed for a doubling of the maximum charge rate compared to the preceding 1.2 protocol from 200 kW to 400 kW. The CHAdeMO 2.0 version also introduced the Plug & Charge function, which allows charging to start as soon as the connection between the vehicle and the CHAdeMO charging station is established.
CHAdeMO 3.0
CHAdeMO 3.0 was introduced in 2020, the charge rate was further increased to 500 kW in this version. The CHAdeMO Association developed the protocol in collaboration with the China Electricity Council (CEC) under the name ‘ChaoJi’. It included a more compact CHAdeMO charging plug combined with a liquid-cooled cable.

CHAdeMO certification

In the Netherlands, DEKRA is the only certification body accredited to certify for CHAdeMO charging. Before we can start our CHAdeMO certification work, there are two steps you need to take first. To gain access to the protocol, you must first become a Regular Member of the CHAdeMO Association by registering on their website. You develop your product using the information described in the protocol. Once you have done this, you will be ready to contact DEKRA to apply for CHAdeMO certification. We will ask you to supply some required information and then prepare a proposal for you. If you accept our proposal, we will subject your product in our laboratory to the necessary tests. If your product passes, we will grant CHAdeMO certification.

Why DEKRA as your partner in e-mobility?

DEKRA is your partner for all e-mobility issues. In addition to CHAdeMO certification, you can rely on DEKRA for all other matters relating to your charging infrastructure, including standards such as OCPP 1.6 and 2.0, CharIN and IEC 61851. We test and certify the electrical and mechanical safety of vehicles, backed by almost 100 years of experience. Our independent testing means that you can provide uninterrupted quality. If you would like to plan your CHAdeMO certification, please get in touch with us at the form below.