European automakers to develop charging compliance reference

Date: 4/10/2011

More European electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers have voiced their support of a scheme promoting the establishment of a uniform public charging infrastructure.

The Renault Nissan Alliance, PSA Peugeot Citroen and Mitsubishi Motors have all voiced their backing for EV Ready, which was launched in 2010 by Renault and Schneider Electric and aims to establish itself as the recognised benchmark for electric and hybrid car charging systems in Europe.

As part of their support for the initiative, the three groups have announced they are to use EV Ready as the base from which to develop and promote the technical reference for compliance of such equipment.

Currently, the international standard for electric vehicle charging modes and electrical connectors - IEC61851-1 ed2.1 - is likely to be subject to development, something the automakers note they will keep in mind.

More than 60 countries across Europe are working towards the adoption and development of EV Ready, among them energy providers and charging station suppliers as well as vehicle manufacturers.

A key aim of the scheme is to ensure it is economically sound and leaves room for future innovations to be integrated.

Philip Hill, General Manager of Rolec Services, recently claimed that the UK is witnessing a growing interest in domestic vehicle charging points.

Posted by Nick Anderson