[Philip Fisher]

Originally Posted by SwissXC90

The physical connector is in no way smart.

It is tough, durable, has reliable pins for good connections.
But smart?
No.

The "smarts" are built into the controllers in the charging station and the vehicle.
But not in the connector/socket.

We are kind of getting bogged down in semantics here. The smart functionality is only possible because of the design of the plug and socket. Such functionality would not be possible with a normal 3 pin 16amp external connector. This is why such a socket is necessary.

Whilst I take your point about a 7 pin socket itself is not smart, it is an integral part of a system which is smart.