The Lotus Elise ECE EV conversion is based on the AC-150 Gen 2 from AC Propulsion. Unfortunately the AC-150 Gen 2 is developed before any charging standard was published. Charging is managed by de PEU (Power Electronics Unit) and is limited to 20KW (240V/83A one phase). 83A on one phase is way more than a standard household wall outlet in Europe provides. Home charging on a standard 240V wall outlet is limited to 16A. Public charging using the Mennekes connector is also limited to 16A (one phase). In Holland most modern houses have a 3x25A powerline which can often be upgraded to 3x35A without replacing de powerlines to the power company . 35A is better than 16A but it isn’t real fast charging.

An alternative would be public DC fast charging, But which standard should be used in a DIY install. ChaDeMo is getting popular in Holland. Currently (begin 2016) there are over 100 ChadeMo fast charge stations. So ChaDeMO would be the wiser choise. Currently there are a few suppliers of ChaDeMo interface which work on any EV. EVWest developed the jld-505 and Lithium Balance sells the LiBal Fast Charge interface for €1000,- or more.

For both interfaces the challenge would be how to integrate them into my EV. I think it might be easier to develop a custom interface based on the ChaDeMO standard and the information available on internet.

CHAdeMO interface

chademo-pins