Brussels, 25/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - Meeting up on 25 May in Brussels, EU ministers for industry set out a deadline of mid-2011for the European standardisation authorities to find a harmonised solution for the inter-operability of electric vehicles and recharging infrastructure. They considered that this harmonisation is of huge importance in enabling all electric vehicles recharge themselves without any difficulty at home or in public recharge stations, explained the Competitiveness Council in conclusions adopted on Tuesday on the basis of the clean and energy saving vehicle development strategy, put on the table by the European Commission last April (EUROPE 10128). The conclusions state that harmonisation is a “preliminary condition” for gaining consumer acceptance of electric vehicles and, secondly, helping to develop a mass market for electric vehicles.
At present, no vehicle-recharging standard exists for cars. The only solutions that currently coexist are those developed by businesses in different European countries, as well as in Japan and the US. On Tuesday, the Council therefore called on standardisation bodies, the European Standardisation Committee (ESC) and the European Electronic and Electro-technical Standardisation Committee (CENELEC), to develop a common standard that is operable throughout the EU. Standardisation efforts should also be made by way of synergies with the development of renewable energies and smart electric networks, in addition to rechargeable batteries that provide significant electric storage capacity. The Commission is due to present a legislative proposal on smart networks soon.
As chair of the Council, the Spanish Minister of industry Miguel Sebastian expressed support from the EU 27 for the strategy proposed by the Commission. He said that he was very satisfied with the deadline set out for standardising recharging infrastructure. Faced with a persistent disagreements in the EU regarding electric vehicles, Mr Sebastian underlined the necessity for the strategy to succeed and explained that electric vehicles should on the market at a reasonable price, with sufficient battery autonomy and easy recharge facilities. He also highlighted the importance of the EU taking specific measures on the safety of electric vehicles, the absence of noise from these vehicles could present a danger to pedestrians.
Germany, Spain, France and Portugal have presented a common declaration that seeks to promote the development of electric vehicles, particularly by way of cross-border pilot projects. (E.H.)