CharIN e.V., the global association supporting the development of charging standards, announced the official publication of IEC TS 63379, a Technical Specification from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) defining connectors, vehicle inlets, and cable assemblies for conductive dc charging at megawatt power levels.
Members of CharIN contributed to the development of the specification through technical work conducted within the organization, supporting the creation of a standardized framework intended to enable high-power dc charging across heavy-duty electric vehicle (EV) applications.
The publication of IEC TS 63379 provides a technical reference for charging systems designed to support electrification in sectors such as commercial transport, off-highway equipment, and industrial vehicles.
A technical reference for megawatt-charging systems
IEC TS 63379 establishes a globally recognized technical specification for hardware associated with the Megawatt Charging System (MCS). Initiated within CharIN and developed through the IEC standardization process, the document reflects multi-year collaboration among CharIN Focus Groups, technical experts, and industry stakeholders.
The specification defines standardized pin and contact concepts, safety requirements and interlocks, thermal management and temperature monitoring requirements, and mechanical and electrical robustness for demanding operating environments. IEC TS 63379 supports system voltages of up to 1,500-V dc and currents of up to 3,000 A, addressing charging requirements for heavy-duty EV including trucks, buses, off-highway machinery, and other industrial applications.
Relevance to heavy-duty EV electrification
IEC TS 63379 supports the deployment of high-power dc charging infrastructure intended to reduce charging time for heavy-duty EV and align vehicle and infrastructure development across manufacturers and regions. In coordination with related standards work in IEC 61851 and ISO/IEC committees, the specification provides a technical basis for moving megawatt charging from pilot deployments toward broader industrial implementation.
CharIN Focus Groups have addressed application-specific considerations for MCS adoption across multiple sectors. In mining and industrial environments, the specification supports charging system designs suited for harsh operating conditions. In marine applications, it contributes to harmonized approaches for shore power systems supporting battery-electric and hybrid vessels. CharIN has also initiated technical discussions related to high-power charging requirements for future electric aviation ground operations.
“The publication of IEC TS 63379 reflects the collaborative standards development work carried out within CharIN and the IEC framework,” said Claas Bracklo, chairman of CharIN. “The specification provides a common technical reference to support interoperability and the continued development of megawatt-level dc charging for electric vehicles.”
Validation and interoperability testing
CharIN Testivals continue to serve as a platform for validating MCS implementations under real-world conditions. Recent testing activities have expanded beyond controller evaluation to include fully integrated MCS systems, with a focus on interoperability, reliability, and performance.
In June 2025, CharIN conducted MCS testing with Advantics, Scania, and Stäubli as part of its interoperability testing program for heavy-duty EV charging. Since 2025, MCS testing has been incorporated into CharIN’s regular Testival program, with additional sessions planned, including an upcoming event at the American Center for Mobility in Detroit, Michigan.
Further interoperability testing is planned at an upcoming European Testival co-hosted with Milence, where implementations based on IEC TS 63379 will be evaluated under operational conditions to support alignment across regions and applications.
Filed Under: Charging, Technology News