EN 17186:2019
(Main)Identification of vehicles and infrastructures compatibility - Graphical expression for consumer information on EV power supply
General Information
- Abstract
This document lays down harmonized identifiers for power supply for electric road vehicles. The requirements in this standard are to complement the informational needs of users regarding the compatibility between the EV charging stations, the cable assemblies and the vehicles that are placed on the market. The identifier is intended to be visualized at EV charging stations, on vehicles, on cable assemblies, in EV dealerships and in consumer manuals as described in this document.
Power supply for EVs uses vehicle inlets, socket-outlets, connectors and plugs, as mentioned in EN IEC 61851-1:— and EN 62196-1:2014.
This document defines for each harmonized identifier the size, shape, colour and other information of relevance for compatibility recognition, as well as the label location.
The station side identifier gives unmistakable compatibility information with either the plug of the cable assembly in case of a socket outlet configuration, or the vehicle inlet in case of attached cable configuration.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 19-Mar-2019
- Withdrawal Date
- 29-Sep-2019
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 301 - Electrically propelled road vehicles
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 301/WG 14 - Electricity Fuel labelling
- Current Stage
- 9092 - Decision on results of review/2YR ENQ - revise - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 06-Jun-2025
- Completion Date
- 23-Sep-2026
Overview
EN 17186:2019 (CEN) specifies a harmonized graphical expression and labelling system for electric vehicle (EV) power supply compatibility. The standard defines clear visual identifiers - including shape, colour, symbol and size - to communicate compatibility between EV charging stations, cable assemblies and vehicle inlets. Labels are intended for EV charging stations, vehicles, detachable cable assemblies, vehicle dealerships and consumer manuals to help users quickly identify the correct interface and charging configuration.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Harmonized identifiers: Standardized pictograms and symbols that indicate electrical interface compatibility (vehicle inlet, socket‑outlet, connector/plug).
- Colour scheme and shape: A defined colour-coding and identifier shape scheme for easy visual recognition across markets.
- Label design and content: Requirements for a basic label (mandatory identifier content) and a full label that can include optional information (e.g., power levels).
- Size, durability and placement: Prescribed label sizes, durability expectations and exact label locations on EV charging stations, vehicle bodywork, detachable cable assemblies, in dealerships and in vehicle manuals.
- Station-side compatibility info: Station identifiers must clearly show whether compatibility refers to the plug (socket-outlet configuration) or the vehicle inlet (attached cable configuration).
- Connection cases: Coverage of common connection scenarios (Case A - cable part of vehicle; Case B - detachable cable assembly; Case C - cable part of EV charging station), supporting correct label application for each case.
- Normative references: Works alongside standards for conductive charging and interfaces such as EN IEC 61851-1 and EN 62196-1 and follows labelling principles related to EN 16942.
Applications and who uses it
- EV manufacturers and vehicle designers: Apply identifiers to new vehicles and include labels in owner manuals to meet regulatory information requirements.
- Charging station manufacturers and installers: Mark socket‑outlets and EVSE units so users can confirm physical and electrical compatibility.
- Cable and connector suppliers: Label detachable cable assemblies to show which vehicle inlets and charging stations they match.
- Dealerships and fleet operators: Provide visible consumer information in showrooms and fleet depots.
- Regulators and infrastructure planners: Use harmonized labelling to improve user experience and support Directive 2014/94/EU implementation for EV recharging information.
Related standards
- EN IEC 61851-1 - Electric vehicle conductive charging system (general requirements)
- EN 62196-1 - Plugs, socket‑outlets, vehicle connectors and inlets (conductive charging)
- EN 16942 - Fuels/vehicle compatibility graphical expression
- ISO 16750 series - Environmental and chemical testing for vehicle electrical equipment
EN 17186 promotes consistent, interoperable visual information for EV charging compatibility, improving usability, safety and cross‑border clarity for drivers and infrastructure providers.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Refers
EN IEC 61851-1:2019 - Electric vehicle conductive charging system - Part 1: General requirements - Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 17186:2019 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Identification of vehicles and infrastructures compatibility - Graphical expression for consumer information on EV power supply". This standard covers: This document lays down harmonized identifiers for power supply for electric road vehicles. The requirements in this standard are to complement the informational needs of users regarding the compatibility between the EV charging stations, the cable assemblies and the vehicles that are placed on the market. The identifier is intended to be visualized at EV charging stations, on vehicles, on cable assemblies, in EV dealerships and in consumer manuals as described in this document. Power supply for EVs uses vehicle inlets, socket-outlets, connectors and plugs, as mentioned in EN IEC 61851-1:— and EN 62196-1:2014. This document defines for each harmonized identifier the size, shape, colour and other information of relevance for compatibility recognition, as well as the label location. The station side identifier gives unmistakable compatibility information with either the plug of the cable assembly in case of a socket outlet configuration, or the vehicle inlet in case of attached cable configuration.
This document lays down harmonized identifiers for power supply for electric road vehicles. The requirements in this standard are to complement the informational needs of users regarding the compatibility between the EV charging stations, the cable assemblies and the vehicles that are placed on the market. The identifier is intended to be visualized at EV charging stations, on vehicles, on cable assemblies, in EV dealerships and in consumer manuals as described in this document. Power supply for EVs uses vehicle inlets, socket-outlets, connectors and plugs, as mentioned in EN IEC 61851-1:— and EN 62196-1:2014. This document defines for each harmonized identifier the size, shape, colour and other information of relevance for compatibility recognition, as well as the label location. The station side identifier gives unmistakable compatibility information with either the plug of the cable assembly in case of a socket outlet configuration, or the vehicle inlet in case of attached cable configuration.
EN 17186:2019 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 43.120 - Electric road vehicles. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 17186:2019 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 62196-1:2014, ISO 16750-5:2010, ISO 16750-4:2010, EN IEC 61851-1:2019, EN 16942:2024. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 17186:2019 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2014/94/EU. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
EN 17186:2019 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Identifikation von Fahrzeug- und Infrastrukturkompatibilität - Grafische Darstellung von Kundeninformationen für die Energieversorgung von ElektrofahrzeugenIdentification de la compatibilité des véhicules et des infrastructures - Expression graphique pour l'information des consommateurs sur l'alimentation pour véhicules électriquesIdentification of vehicles and infrastructures compatibility - Graphical expression for consumer information on EV power supply43.120Electric road vehiclesICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 17186:2019SIST EN 17186:2019en,fr,de01-maj-2019SIST EN 17186:2019SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 17186
March
t r s { ICS
v uä s t r English Version
Identification of vehicles and infrastructures compatibility æ Graphical expression for consumer information on EV power supply Identification de la compatibilité des véhicules æ Expression graphique pour l 5information des consommateurs sur l 5alimentation pour véhicules électriques
Identifikation von Fahrzeugæ und Infrastrukturkompatibilität æ Grafische Darstellung von Kundeninformationen für die Energieversorgung von Elektrofahrzeugen This European Standard was approved by CEN on
t December
t r s zä
egulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alterationä Upætoædate lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN memberä
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versionsä
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austriaá Belgiumá Bulgariaá Croatiaá Cyprusá Czech Republicá Denmarká Estoniaá Finlandá Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedoniaá Franceá Germanyá Greeceá Hungaryá Icelandá Irelandá Italyá Latviaá Lithuaniaá Luxembourgá Maltaá Netherlandsá Norwayá Polandá Portugalá Romaniaá Serbiaá Slovakiaá Sloveniaá Spainá Swedená Switzerlandá Turkey and United Kingdomä
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre:
Rue de la Science 23,
B-1040 Brussels
t r s { CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Membersä Refä Noä EN
s y s z xã t r s { ESIST EN 17186:2019
Colour scheme of identifiers. 16 Annex B (normative)
Table of labels . 17 B.1 AC Charging . 17 B.2 DC Charging . 18 B.3 Others . 19 Annex C (informative)
Examples of labels . 20 Bibliography . 21
IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp 3.1 cable assembly piece of equipment that is used to establish the connection between the electric vehicle and the electric vehicle supply equipment
1 Under preparation. Stage at time of publication: FprEN 61851-1:2016. SIST EN 17186:2019
Key a) socket-outlet f) flexible cable b) plug g) vehicle connector c) plug and socket-outlet h) vehicle inlet d) supply (mains or EVSE) i) vehicle coupler e) in-cable control and protective device (IC-CPD) j) vehicle Figure 1 — Cable assembly [SOURCE: EN 62196-1:2014] Note 1 to entry: A cable assembly may be either fixed to and included in one of these devices, or detachable. It includes the flexible cable, the vehicle connector and/or plug that are required for proper connection and an IC-CPD when applicable. SIST EN 17186:2019
Key a) socket-outlet g) EV charging station b) plug h) EV socket-outlet c) cable i) EV plug Figure 2 — Case A connection 3.1.2 case B connection of an EV to a supply network with a cable assembly detachable at both ends Note 1 to entry: The detachable cable assembly is not part of the vehicle or the EV charging station. [SOURCE: EN IEC 61851-1:—]
Key a) socket-outlet f) vehicle inlet b) plug g) EV charging station c) cable h) EV socket-outlet d) vehicle connector i) EV plug e) vehicle coupler
Figure 3 — Case B connection Note 2 to entry: The cable can include an IC-CPD when applicable. SIST EN 17186:2019
Key c) cable f) vehicle inlet d) vehicle connector g) EV charging station e) vehicle coupler
Figure 4 — Case C connection 3.2 EV charging station stationary part of EV supply equipment connected to the supply network Note 1 to entry:
For case C, the cable assembly is part of the EV charging station. [SOURCE: EN IEC 618
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