The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) published IEC 63407:2026 on October 21, 2026. The new International Standard defines the contact interface for automated connection devices (ACD), the robotic or mechanical couplers that connect a DC charger to a vehicle without a person handling a cable. It covers automatic couplers rated up to 1,500 V DC.
Key Takeaways
- IEC 63407:2026 sets the contact interface for automated charging couplers up to 1,500 V DC.
- It pairs with IEC 61851-23-1:2026, the equipment standard for DC chargers with an ACD.
- Bidirectional power transfer for ACD systems is still under consideration.
- Fleet buyers can now reference a published coupler standard in tenders.
Key Figures
| Item | IEC 63407:2026 | IEC 61851-23-1:2026 |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Automatic coupler: ACD plus ACD counterpart | DC charging equipment that uses an ACD |
| Voltage | Up to 1,500 V DC operating voltage | Supply side up to 1,000 V AC or 1,500 V DC; vehicle side up to 1,500 V DC |
| Publication date | 2026-10-21 | 2026-06-18 |
| Committee | TC 23/SC 23H | TC 69 |
| Length | 77 pages | 142 pages |
What the Standard Covers
IEC 63407 applies to automatic couplers of standardized configuration used in conductive charging systems that include control means. It targets high-power DC interfaces in isolated charging systems, for the circuits specified in IEC 61851-23-1. Its requirements apply only to the coupler designs defined in its Annexes A to D, and the IEC lists its category as safety and energy efficiency.
The two documents are designed to work together. IEC 61851-23-1, published in June, sets the requirements for the DC charging equipment and applies only to category 2 automatic couplers, those using an electro-mechanical interface according to IEC 63407. Digital communication for DC energy transfer is defined in ISO 15118-20 and IEC 61851-24. Reverse and bidirectional power transfer are still under consideration in IEC 61851-23-1.
What It Means
Automated connection is aimed mainly at buses, trucks, depot fleets and future autonomous vehicles, where nobody may be present to plug in. With both the equipment standard and the contact interface now published, manufacturers have a fixed reference for test plans, and fleet buyers can start asking suppliers which IEC 63407 annex a product follows.
For most car parks and light commercial sites, hand-held connectors will remain the norm for years. Operators planning depots today can still future-proof by choosing networked chargers and leaving space and grid capacity for later upgrades. EVDANCE supports this route with its commercial charging solutions, including the compact EV-RHDC30K-L DC charger with OCPP 1.6J.
Related Reading
- How Do DC Fast Chargers Work?
- Fleet Depot Charging: How to Size AC Chargers for Vans and Light Commercial Vehicles
- Mode 2 vs Mode 3 Charging: What IEC 61851 Means for Portable EV Chargers
