Harmonised standards for electric vehicle charging and safety could soon be established in Europe after industry ministers in an EU Competitiveness Council meeting in Brussels voiced their support for the European Commission’s strategy.
Ministers have urged European standardisation bodies to develop a harmonised solution for interoperability between electric vehicles and charging infrastructure and to also look at safety risks and electromagnetic compatibility by mid-2011. They also want the standardisation to consider smart charging and to take into account technical solutions and ongoing work at international standardisation bodies.
In further comments, the ministers urged stakeholders to use electricity generated from safe and sustainable sources, including renewables. They acknowledged that infrastructure for slow charging is partly available but commented that it needed further development. They also welcomed the idea that an EU-wide electromobility demonstration project be introduced in 2011.
They also stressed the need to focus on research excellence to ensure alternative powertrains receive targeted financing and to help find breakthroughs in internal combustion engines. It is believed that electric vehicles will soon be ready for market introduction and that hydrogen cars remain an option in the medium term.
