The ascent of electric vehicles has posed the question of how they will be charged as each automaker had developed its own technique, but that is the equivalent of having different fuel ports on gasoline-powered models.
One of the answers to this question comes from eight major automakers from the United States and Germany that have agreed upon a common fast-charging technology for use on electric vehicles in Europe and the United States.
The participating carmakers are Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen, which will demo the new charging device during the Electric Vehicle Symposium 26 (EVS26) that runs from May 6 to 9 in Los Angeles, California.
In addition to the carmakers, the Society of International Engineers has chosen the said single-port fast charging method as its standard for fast charging, while the European manufacturing association (ACEA) has endorsed harmonization for all vehicle types.
The new technology is said to enable the rapid recharging of most electrified vehicles with compatible systems in as little as 15-20 minutes.
The new chargers will be made available commercially at the end of 2012, while the first vehicles using the technology will reach the market in early 2013.
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