Can the Nissan Leaf and Smart Car Electric Drive use the same charging dock?

Okay so my girlfriend and I are considering getting electric cars. I want to get the Nissan Leaf and she prefers the Smart Car Electric Drive.





I'm wondering if we had a charging dock installed for one of the cars, if we could use the same for the other car? Or do we both have to get separate charging docks?|||Probably, although it depends upon where you are located as the US and Europe have established standards (although different from each other) to enable public charging ports.





The power that comes from the wall is standardized in any event. The new standard in the US is the J1772 plug configuration on the vehicle and the mating part that comes from the wall. The charger on each car will adjust the incoming power to the batteries in the specific vehicle.





The chargers will also adjust to the incoming voltage and wattage. Which leads us to the standardized charge "levels" What you would be installing would be a level II "dock"





"LEVEL 1 CHARGING


• Portable “plug”


• 120 VAC standard outlet


• Delivers power from the wall to


the vehicle’s on-board charger





LEVEL 2 CHARGING (OVERNIGHT CHARGING)


• Fixed charging station


• 208-240 VAC fixed installation


• Delivers AC power from the wall


to the on-board charger





LEVEL 3 CHARGING (DC FAST CHARGING)


• High powered fast-charge station


(like a “gas pump”)


• 400-600 VAC fixed installation


• Delivers DC energy, bypassing


the on-board charger "1|||Yes, both the Leaf and Smart Car Electric use the SAE J1772 standard.



For Level 2 Smart Car charging, go to http://www.smartusa.com/models/electric-… and click on "charging your electric car". The Smart Car website points to the Clipper Creek unit being available for outright purchase. I've used this same unit to charge a Leaf.



However, check your local power utility. Many offer charging stations at a significant discount. My utility offers Level 2 chargers free as part of a study, with downstream purchase available a year or more later (after the study completes) at significant discount. If you're outside California, it may take quite a few calls to get to the right person, but could be worth the effort.



Enjoy. Electric cars are fun and highly addictive.