Though fast charging technology exists to make electronic vehicles practical (currently a 30 min charge can fuel the Tesla S Sedan for 150+ miles), automobile makers refuse to settle on a standard. Something like the war between VHS and Beta if you’re old enough to remember that one.
In one corner is Detroit and the German make cars. In another is Nissan and Mitsubishi, and many charger makers. In the other 2 corners we have China making their own standard, and finally Tesla which has the clout to only support charging just a single model, the Tesla Model S Sedan, with their chargers.
A committee, the International Electrotechnical Commission will be reviewing the current applicants and approving one or more standards. Which if they approve more than one, leaves the world no better off than if the Commission didn’t exist at all. Even if they only approve one, I can’t see all countries going along with it unless it’s the standard they’re pushing. For example if Nissan/Mitsubishi’s standard is accepted as the standard by the Commission, will China really just say “okay, let’s use that”.
Hoping this gets ironed out sooner than later, though I don’t see “sooner” happening. Meanwhile, it’s the people, the technology that could benefit from all involved working together to improve it, and the environment that’s losing out.
Comments welcome as always. This is an important issue and would enjoy hearing thoughts on it.
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