In an effort to speed up the commercialisation of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, some 50 representatives of European electricity companies, as well as national electricity sector associations and power distribution system operators, have signed a declaration on infrastructure for charging electric vehicles.

As part of their declaration, the signees confirm that they are determined to co-operate with stakeholders to develop and apply industry pre-standards until official standards have been set by the relevant bodies. They have also called on policymakers to support the drive towards an environmentally friendly transport sector.

CEOs from the company have pledged to promote investment in infrastructure in an effort to develop all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles while the EURELECTRIC Task Force on Electric Vehicles works to indentify any market hurdles that may prevent the development of common infrastructure standards.

The association, known as the Union of the Electricity Industry-EURELECTRIC, which was formed thanks to a merger between UNIPEDE and EURELECTRIC in December 1999, represents the interest of the electricity industry at pan European levels as well as its associates on various other continents.