Strasbourg, 15/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 15 June, the European Commission tabled a proposal with a view to electric cars marketed in Europe being manufactured according to common security standards in order to protect users from any contact with parts of these vehicles under high voltage, as the electric traction chains operate at 500 volts. The proposal integrates into European law the regulation No 100 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) on the approval of electric battery-driven vehicles, their construction and security provisions. The harmonised requirements relating to trials will simplify type-approval of the electric vehicles in substitution for the divergent practices of certain member states in this field, and will thus reduce the administrative burden on vehicle makers. Furthermore, once adopted, the proposal will help European car producers to sell their electric cars in third countries that are party to the UNECE agreement of 1958, such as Japan. (E.H./transl.jl)