Car Companies Standardize Plug for Electric Vehicles

Just a few hours after General Motors called for a standardized EV plug, one has been created!

Caroline Reichert, a spokeswoman for the Germany energy company RWE, said leading automotive and energy companies have reached an agreement for a standardized plug for electric cars. Some of the automakers include in that agreement are Volkswagen, BMW, Ford, General Motors, Fiat, Toyota and Mitsubishi.

“A car must be able to be recharged in Italy in exactly the same way as in Denmark, Germany or France,” she was quoted saying in an edition of Die Welt to appear Monday.

The three-point, 400-volt plug, which will allow electric cars to be recharged anywhere in a matter of minutes, will be unveiled Monday at the world’s biggest industrial technology fair in Hanover, northern Germany.

No time frame for the introduction of the plug was mentioned, saying that talks between the companies were ongoing.

If electric vehicles are going to stand a chance against petro-based cars, standards are a must. This is a major step froward in EV mass production.

Update: The plug depicted above is not the agreed upon standard. At the time of the press release, I could not find a definitive picture. Sorry for any confusion.

More on Electric Cars:

A Few Pictures of Upcoming Electric Cars:

Source [PhysOrg.com]

Image Credit: Clayton B. Cornell

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About Jerry James Stone

Jerry is a web developer, part-time blogger and a full-time environmentalist. His crusade for all things eco started twenty years ago when he ditched his meat-and-potatoes upbringing for something more vegetarian-shaped.

He currently works at Care2 and also blogs over at Treehugger. His passions include green tech, eco politics and smart green design. And while he doesn't own a car anymore, he loves to write about those too.

Jerry studied at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA. During his time there he was a DJ at the campus station KCPR and he also wrote for the campus paper.

Jerry currently resides in San Francisco, CA with his cat Lola.

You can stalk him on Twitter @jerryjamesstone.

Comments

  1. Emily Post says:

    “have reached and agreement” ??

    You should check both spelling and grammer before you post a breaking news story.

  2. Emily Post says:

    “have reached and agreement” ??

    You should check both spelling and grammer before you post a breaking news story.

  3. Haha says:

    Emily Post, you do realize that it is spelled “grammar” don’t you? Perhaps you should have checked that before posting.

  4. Haha says:

    Emily Post, you do realize that it is spelled “grammar” don’t you? Perhaps you should have checked that before posting.

  5. Thom Bouis says:

    Regretfully we have a journalism failure in this article as the plug shown in the article graphic is for USA 110~120VAC, not for 400v. as stated. I suspect that the correct plug will be of a twist-lock design as is typical of many higher voltage and amperage plugs used in commercial service and for industrial equipment.

  6. Thom Bouis says:

    Regretfully we have a journalism failure in this article as the plug shown in the article graphic is for USA 110~120VAC, not for 400v. as stated. I suspect that the correct plug will be of a twist-lock design as is typical of many higher voltage and amperage plugs used in commercial service and for industrial equipment.

  7. Emily, thanks for spell checking for us. Fixed!

  8. Thom Bouis says:

    Regretfully we have a journalism failure in this article as the plug shown in the article graphic is for USA 110~120VAC, not for 400v. as stated. I suspect that the correct plug will be of a twist-lock design as is typical of many higher voltage and amperage plugs used in commercial service and for industrial equipment.

  9. Emily, thanks for spell checking for us. Fixed!

  10. Eric says:

    Sounding kind of bitchy there, Emily.

  11. Eric says:

    Sounding kind of bitchy there, Emily.

  12. Eric says:

    Hey Emily, next time, before you get all high and mighty correcting someone else’s English, learn how to spell grammar.

  13. chris says:

    THAT plug in the picture looks to be standard 120v american outlet plug.

  14. chris says:

    THAT plug in the picture looks to be standard 120v american outlet plug.

  15. Eric says:

    Hey Emily, next time, before you get all high and mighty correcting someone else’s English, learn how to spell grammar.

  16. chris says:

    THAT plug in the picture looks to be standard 120v american outlet plug.

  17. James says:

    Emily, don’t you intend that he should check his spelling and GRAMMAR?

  18. James says:

    Emily, don’t you intend that he should check his spelling and GRAMMAR?

  19. Nick says:

    Emily, it’s “grammar.” Good try, though!

  20. Adam says:

    Emily, perhaps you should take your own advice? There’s no E in grammar…pot meet kettle.

  21. Adam says:

    Emily, perhaps you should take your own advice? There’s no E in grammar…pot meet kettle.

  22. Nick says:

    Emily, it’s “grammar.” Good try, though!

  23. Adam says:

    Emily, perhaps you should take your own advice? There’s no E in grammar…pot meet kettle.

  24. Shadic says:

    Emily – “Grammer?” You should check both your spelling and grammar before you correct people. :P

  25. Shadic says:

    Emily – “Grammer?” You should check both your spelling and grammar before you correct people. :P

  26. Shadic says:

    Emily – “Grammer?” You should check both your spelling and grammar before you correct people. :P

  27. Justin says:

    @emily I think you mean “granmar”. Might want to take your own advice.

  28. Justin says:

    @emily I think you mean “granmar”. Might want to take your own advice.

  29. Meh Rodrigues says:

    This is a “New” standard? (created)

    This is just a u.s.a standard plug. I can see it now… Idiots plugging into 120 and pulling more amps and frying something.

    Intelligent.

  30. Meh Rodrigues says:

    This is a “New” standard? (created)

    This is just a u.s.a standard plug. I can see it now… Idiots plugging into 120 and pulling more amps and frying something.

    Intelligent.

  31. Justin says:

    @emily I think you mean “granmar”. Might want to take your own advice.

  32. Meh Rodrigues says:

    This is a “New” standard? (created)

    This is just a u.s.a standard plug. I can see it now… Idiots plugging into 120 and pulling more amps and frying something.

    Intelligent.

  33. ChuckL says:

    Chris, while the male cord cap in the picture looks remarkably like a standard U. S. 120 volt unpolarized single phase cord cap, the attached cord is considerably larger in diameter, which would indicate much better insulation for a higher voltage. And then we do not have the actual dimensions. That thing could be 50.8 mm in diameter. That’;s 2 inches.

  34. ChuckL says:

    Chris, while the male cord cap in the picture looks remarkably like a standard U. S. 120 volt unpolarized single phase cord cap, the attached cord is considerably larger in diameter, which would indicate much better insulation for a higher voltage. And then we do not have the actual dimensions. That thing could be 50.8 mm in diameter. That’;s 2 inches.

  35. ChuckL says:

    Chris, while the male cord cap in the picture looks remarkably like a standard U. S. 120 volt unpolarized single phase cord cap, the attached cord is considerably larger in diameter, which would indicate much better insulation for a higher voltage. And then we do not have the actual dimensions. That thing could be 50.8 mm in diameter. That’;s 2 inches.

  36. ChuckL says:

    For what it is worth, which is not really much. If that passed within hours of General Motors accepting it, GM must have been the hold-out.

  37. ChuckL says:

    For what it is worth, which is not really much. If that passed within hours of General Motors accepting it, GM must have been the hold-out.

  38. ChuckL says:

    For what it is worth, which is not really much. If that passed within hours of General Motors accepting it, GM must have been the hold-out.

  39. foo bar says:

    Emily, you’re such a whore.

  40. foo bar says:

    Emily, you’re such a whore.

  41. ululare says:

    Awesome, I 400V cable with a metallic caseing (safety first)!

  42. ululare says:

    Awesome, I 400V cable with a metallic caseing (safety first)!

  43. ululare says:

    Awesome, I 400V cable with a metallic caseing (safety first)!

  44. Reid says:

    The image used in the article was cover art for a 2006 or 2007 issue of Popular Mechanics IIRC.

  45. Reid says:

    The image used in the article was cover art for a 2006 or 2007 issue of Popular Mechanics IIRC.

  46. Reid says:

    also note the plug is actually embossed with 15A 125V

  47. Reid says:

    also note the plug is actually embossed with 15A 125V

  48. Reid says:

    also note the plug is actually embossed with 15A 125V

  49. Proff says:

    FTA: “… will be unveiled Monday …”. So the illustration does NOT show the actual plug design.

  50. Proff says:

    FTA: “… will be unveiled Monday …”. So the illustration does NOT show the actual plug design.

  51. Brian Turk says:

    If Auto makers have agreed a standard the someone had better tell the UK Government.

    The BBC showed EDF installing 13A sockets for on street charging,the connecting lead had a 230volt 16Amp end to suit the vehicle.

    13 amp sockets will only allow 3KW,new fast charge Lithium ion batteries will need far more than this.

    These sockets need to be say 32 Amp 400 Volt 3 Phase.

  52. Brian Turk says:

    If Auto makers have agreed a standard the someone had better tell the UK Government.

    The BBC showed EDF installing 13A sockets for on street charging,the connecting lead had a 230volt 16Amp end to suit the vehicle.

    13 amp sockets will only allow 3KW,new fast charge Lithium ion batteries will need far more than this.

    These sockets need to be say 32 Amp 400 Volt 3 Phase.

  53. Brian Turk says:

    If Auto makers have agreed a standard the someone had better tell the UK Government.

    The BBC showed EDF installing 13A sockets for on street charging,the connecting lead had a 230volt 16Amp end to suit the vehicle.

    13 amp sockets will only allow 3KW,new fast charge Lithium ion batteries will need far more than this.

    These sockets need to be say 32 Amp 400 Volt 3 Phase.

  54. Clayton had what I feel is the right response to Emily — thanking her and fixing the error. While she could have been more discrete in her comment, I am not sure the article’s writer needed a whole team of “defenders” to gang up on Emily.

  55. Clayton had what I feel is the right response to Emily — thanking her and fixing the error. While she could have been more discrete in her comment, I am not sure the article’s writer needed a whole team of “defenders” to gang up on Emily.

  56. Clayton had what I feel is the right response to Emily — thanking her and fixing the error. While she could have been more discrete in her comment, I am not sure the article’s writer needed a whole team of “defenders” to gang up on Emily.

  57. Tim Sutton says:

    It would be typical auto maker madness if the plug wasn’t the blue 3pin plug caravans and RV’s already use. There is already a great charging network available in the form of campsites…it just seems no one has thought about that yet!

  58. Tim Sutton says:

    It would be typical auto maker madness if the plug wasn’t the blue 3pin plug caravans and RV’s already use. There is already a great charging network available in the form of campsites…it just seems no one has thought about that yet!

  59. Rif says:

    “three-point, 400-volt plug”

    There is very little information about this plug standard in the article, but I think it is in reality a 3 phase 230V which combined gives the 400V system. This fit into the existing IEC standards of 3Phase + Neutral + Earth plug system. What is not mentioned is if it will be 32A or 16A.

    An example of this plug can be seen at first photo here (perhaps the car plug will have a different shape):

    http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_60309

    About the photo of the article, it would be really useful if there was added a caption to the picture explaining what is displayed. As it is now you are always left wondering if the photo has any relation to the article or is for pure decoration.

  60. Rif says:

    “three-point, 400-volt plug”

    There is very little information about this plug standard in the article, but I think it is in reality a 3 phase 230V which combined gives the 400V system. This fit into the existing IEC standards of 3Phase + Neutral + Earth plug system. What is not mentioned is if it will be 32A or 16A.

    An example of this plug can be seen at first photo here (perhaps the car plug will have a different shape):

    http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_60309

    About the photo of the article, it would be really useful if there was added a caption to the picture explaining what is displayed. As it is now you are always left wondering if the photo has any relation to the article or is for pure decoration.

  61. Rif says:

    “three-point, 400-volt plug”

    There is very little information about this plug standard in the article, but I think it is in reality a 3 phase 230V which combined gives the 400V system. This fit into the existing IEC standards of 3Phase + Neutral + Earth plug system. What is not mentioned is if it will be 32A or 16A.

    An example of this plug can be seen at first photo here (perhaps the car plug will have a different shape):

    http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_60309

    About the photo of the article, it would be really useful if there was added a caption to the picture explaining what is displayed. As it is now you are always left wondering if the photo has any relation to the article or is for pure decoration.

  62. SomeDude says:

    @Rif: I doubt that they’ll go for a 3 phase system.

    The picture does not seem to be relevant to the article…just decor.

  63. SomeDude says:

    @Rif: I doubt that they’ll go for a 3 phase system.

    The picture does not seem to be relevant to the article…just decor.

  64. Rafael says:

    What is up with all the hate towards emily….poor girly just wanted to help!!! :(

    Even if the dumb shit cant spell! hahahaha Biaaattch!

  65. Rafael says:

    What is up with all the hate towards emily….poor girly just wanted to help!!! :(

    Even if the dumb shit cant spell! hahahaha Biaaattch!

  66. Rafael says:

    What is up with all the hate towards emily….poor girly just wanted to help!!! :(

    Even if the dumb shit cant spell! hahahaha Biaaattch!

  67. Jason says:

    Emily, you stupid whore, I believe you meant “grammar”. Go die, Emily.

  68. Jason says:

    Emily, you stupid whore, I believe you meant “grammar”. Go die, Emily.

  69. Tim says:

    Pretty sure the picture was thrown together to be a representation of what it “could” look like, since it is clearly printed on the plug that it’s a 120v. Since the standard was just reached, they probably haven’t actually produced it or if they have, didn’t post real pics yet. If they have, the photoshop dude needs to do more extensive searching. Also, I agree with the Emily bashing.

  70. Tim says:

    Pretty sure the picture was thrown together to be a representation of what it “could” look like, since it is clearly printed on the plug that it’s a 120v. Since the standard was just reached, they probably haven’t actually produced it or if they have, didn’t post real pics yet. If they have, the photoshop dude needs to do more extensive searching. Also, I agree with the Emily bashing.

  71. Tim says:

    Pretty sure the picture was thrown together to be a representation of what it “could” look like, since it is clearly printed on the plug that it’s a 120v. Since the standard was just reached, they probably haven’t actually produced it or if they have, didn’t post real pics yet. If they have, the photoshop dude needs to do more extensive searching. Also, I agree with the Emily bashing.

  72. Rob Patton says:

    Where did you get that picture of the Nema 5-15 plug?

    I understand its not the one used for Plug in RV, but I sure would like to find out where I can buy a few of those. They look hard core.

  73. Rob Patton says:

    Where did you get that picture of the Nema 5-15 plug?

    I understand its not the one used for Plug in RV, but I sure would like to find out where I can buy a few of those. They look hard core.

  74. Rif says:

    @SomeDude

    “I doubt that they’ll go for a 3 phase system.”

    Why?

    I have found and read the original article in Die Welt and it states:

    Dreiphasig, mit einer Leistung von 400 Volt und bis zu 63 Ampere

    In EN: Three phases, with a performance of 400 Volt and up to 63 Ampere.

    http://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article3583587/Super-Stecker-soll-Elektroautos-flott-machen.html

  75. Rif says:

    @SomeDude

    “I doubt that they’ll go for a 3 phase system.”

    Why?

    I have found and read the original article in Die Welt and it states:

    Dreiphasig, mit einer Leistung von 400 Volt und bis zu 63 Ampere

    In EN: Three phases, with a performance of 400 Volt and up to 63 Ampere.

    http://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article3583587/Super-Stecker-soll-Elektroautos-flott-machen.html

  76. Ryan says:

    We all know that oil may run out and electric is cleaner (unless it’s produced by coal fired generators) but how are we going to produce it? Build more and bigger dams? Will we be able to recharge at home? 400 Volts going to every home in the neighborhood? Wow!

    http://www.eco-snob.com

  77. Ryan says:

    We all know that oil may run out and electric is cleaner (unless it’s produced by coal fired generators) but how are we going to produce it? Build more and bigger dams? Will we be able to recharge at home? 400 Volts going to every home in the neighborhood? Wow!

    http://www.eco-snob.com

  78. JJ Walker says:

    ” recharged anywhere in a matter of minutes…”

    Well even if it is 480 of ‘em (8 hours worth)… it’s still “minutes” no…? :-/

    Logic failure.

  79. JJ Walker says:

    ” recharged anywhere in a matter of minutes…”

    Well even if it is 480 of ‘em (8 hours worth)… it’s still “minutes” no…? :-/

    Logic failure.

  80. JJ Walker says:

    ” recharged anywhere in a matter of minutes…”

    Well even if it is 480 of ‘em (8 hours worth)… it’s still “minutes” no…? :-/

    Logic failure.

  81. Nagendra Pratap Singh says:

    difinitive should be definitive

    picture is OK. it is the news that is more important.

  82. Nagendra Pratap Singh says:

    difinitive should be definitive

    picture is OK. it is the news that is more important.

  83. Rif says:

    To follow up from my posts yesterday, there is now a site that shows the new plug. The plug has 7 pins, with 3P+N+E, 1 pin for connection detection and 1 data pin.

    The standard allow for 1 phase or 3 phase 230V charge, which the charge station will be able to negotiate with the connected car. Charge can be at 16A, 32A or 63A.

    This means that even the most feeble electrical US house installation with a minimal 220V supply will be able to fit into the single phase charge of the standard. With an upgraded installation charge time will be able to be much faster, using up to 43KW.

    2009-04-21 DA: Industrigiganter går sammen om stik til elbiler

    EN: Industry giants agree on plug for electrical cars

    http://www.danskenergi.dk/Nyheder/Nyhedsoversigt/2009/09_04_21A.aspx

    Product presentation sheet:

    http://www.danskenergi.dk/~/media/Filer_til_nyheder/Standard_Stik_Elbil_2009.pdf.ashx

    Again about the photo, I see that it has now been changed to a Prius plug-in hybrid. It does not solve the problem because it is still unclear what relation it has to the article. I understand the desire to have a photo at each article, but could you then not put a caption on the images, in this case saying that it is a model photo of some plug, not the actual plug standard. This would be a plus for content quality.

  84. Rif says:

    To follow up from my posts yesterday, there is now a site that shows the new plug. The plug has 7 pins, with 3P+N+E, 1 pin for connection detection and 1 data pin.

    The standard allow for 1 phase or 3 phase 230V charge, which the charge station will be able to negotiate with the connected car. Charge can be at 16A, 32A or 63A.

    This means that even the most feeble electrical US house installation with a minimal 220V supply will be able to fit into the single phase charge of the standard. With an upgraded installation charge time will be able to be much faster, using up to 43KW.

    2009-04-21 DA: Industrigiganter går sammen om stik til elbiler

    EN: Industry giants agree on plug for electrical cars

    http://www.danskenergi.dk/Nyheder/Nyhedsoversigt/2009/09_04_21A.aspx

    Product presentation sheet:

    http://www.danskenergi.dk/~/media/Filer_til_nyheder/Standard_Stik_Elbil_2009.pdf.ashx

    Again about the photo, I see that it has now been changed to a Prius plug-in hybrid. It does not solve the problem because it is still unclear what relation it has to the article. I understand the desire to have a photo at each article, but could you then not put a caption on the images, in this case saying that it is a model photo of some plug, not the actual plug standard. This would be a plus for content quality.

  85. Rif says:

    To follow up from my posts yesterday, there is now a site that shows the new plug. The plug has 7 pins, with 3P+N+E, 1 pin for connection detection and 1 data pin.

    The standard allow for 1 phase or 3 phase 230V charge, which the charge station will be able to negotiate with the connected car. Charge can be at 16A, 32A or 63A.

    This means that even the most feeble electrical US house installation with a minimal 220V supply will be able to fit into the single phase charge of the standard. With an upgraded installation charge time will be able to be much faster, using up to 43KW.

    2009-04-21 DA: Industrigiganter går sammen om stik til elbiler

    EN: Industry giants agree on plug for electrical cars

    http://www.danskenergi.dk/Nyheder/Nyhedsoversigt/2009/09_04_21A.aspx

    Product presentation sheet:

    http://www.danskenergi.dk/~/media/Filer_til_nyheder/Standard_Stik_Elbil_2009.pdf.ashx

    Again about the photo, I see that it has now been changed to a Prius plug-in hybrid. It does not solve the problem because it is still unclear what relation it has to the article. I understand the desire to have a photo at each article, but could you then not put a caption on the images, in this case saying that it is a model photo of some plug, not the actual plug standard. This would be a plus for content quality.

  86. Rif says:

    To follow up on my previous postings there are now photos available of the new Mennekes vehicule charger plug.

    http://ing.dk/gallerier/109314

    Jerry-James: If you are interested on more about this subject and how the plug will fit into US power grid, email me.

  87. Rif says:

    To follow up on my previous postings there are now photos available of the new Mennekes vehicule charger plug.

    http://ing.dk/gallerier/109314

    Jerry-James: If you are interested on more about this subject and how the plug will fit into US power grid, email me.

  88. Rif says:

    To follow up on my previous postings there are now photos available of the new Mennekes vehicule charger plug.

    http://ing.dk/gallerier/109314

    Jerry-James: If you are interested on more about this subject and how the plug will fit into US power grid, email me.

  89. Gary Norton says:

    So if 400V becomes the standard, will that mean homeowners won’t be able to recharge their cars at home on the usual 120V-240V circuits available in most US homes?

    If so, that seems like a further obstacle to sales.

    Could an electrician inexpensively add a 400V circuit to my existing wiring?

  90. Gary Norton says:

    So if 400V becomes the standard, will that mean homeowners won’t be able to recharge their cars at home on the usual 120V-240V circuits available in most US homes?

    If so, that seems like a further obstacle to sales.

    Could an electrician inexpensively add a 400V circuit to my existing wiring?

  91. Gary Norton says:

    So if 400V becomes the standard, will that mean homeowners won’t be able to recharge their cars at home on the usual 120V-240V circuits available in most US homes?

    If so, that seems like a further obstacle to sales.

    Could an electrician inexpensively add a 400V circuit to my existing wiring?

  92. george says:

    Any thing that provides the energy for a vehicle should have a standardized place for that application. When automakers were designing openings for gas and diesel tanks they didn,t publicize that information to the whole free world. The same rule should apply here, just design the plug and install it quietly, we’ll catch on soon enough.

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