7 car makers partner on EV charging system

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By Doug Peeples

SGN News Editor

Two US car makers and five German-based manufacturers have agreed to use a common charging system so their customers can share the same fast charging system for the EVs they sell. The companies say it's good for customers, good for the industry and good for the charging infrastructure.

So, is it a win for EV customers, electric utilities wrestling with integrating them into the smart grid, not to mention governments and other policy makers responsible for a smooth transition to electric transportation? See what you think.

Not only do the partners say common charging will make for a better "experience" for the people who drive their EVs, but – major bonuses for the partners – it will make the production process less complicated for them, as well as cut the time it takes to deploy common systems internationally in Europe and the U.S.

EV price tags have been a sticking point in full-scale adoption. If the cars can be built a little cheaper and a little more quickly, shouldn't that show up in the price tag? As for an international standardized approach to charging, the manufacturers say it will create a blueprint for future infrastructure planning. And yes, something resembling a standardized roadmap could very well take some pressure off electric utilities working to successfully integrate new technologies into the grid.

In addition, the partners have agreed to use Home Plug GreenPHY for the communications protocol. They say that move also will help integrate EVs into future smart grid applications.

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