A joint specification for electric cars to connect to the grid has been agreed by the European vehicle manufacturers. The agreement drawn up European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) means that the relevant EU standardisations bodies will be able to make rapid progress to defining a common interface between the electric infrastructure and electric vehicles throughout Europe.
The recommendations also provide decisive guidance to public authorities that are planning investments in public charging spots.
“This is an important step towards the successful deployment of electrically chargeable vehicles in Europe. A uniform and user-friendly charging infrastructure is a prerequisite to build a market", said Ivan Hodac, Secretary-General of ACEA, the automobile industry’s trade association in Brussels. "We want to avoid a situation where customers have to carry a multitude of charging cables to use their vehicles in different cities, regions and countries, just as we see today with items like mobile phones."
The association hopes that the European specifications could help form the basis for a global standard. Japanese and South Korean manufacturers have been closely involved in developing the joint industry recommendations for the European market. The joint specifications cover, in a first step, charging of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, both at home and at public charging spots. During a transition period, customers will be enabled to use the different plugs already on the market. A uniform solution will become standard for all new vehicle types by 2017. The auto industry expects to make recommendations for quick charging and heavy-duty vehicles shortly.
ACEA members include BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler, FIAT Group, Ford of Europe, General Motors Europe, Jaguar Land Rover, MAN Nutzfahrzeuge, Porsche, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Renault, Scania, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen and Volvo.
