Society

Japan, China to unify standard for EV chargers

Aug 29 (NHK) - Industry groups from Japan and China have agreed to create a unified standard for devices used to charge batteries in electric vehicles.

The 2 sides signed a memorandum in Beijing on Tuesday. They aim to combine their standards for so-called fast chargers, and put a new one into practical use by 2020.

They also plan to develop a charger with an output of more than 500 kilowatts. That's over 10 times as powerful as devices now used in Japan, and will allow large vehicles to be recharged in a short time.

CHAdeMO Association President Toshiyuki Shiga said, "China already has a vast number of charging stations. I think Japan can increase its global influence through this joint development."

There are now five types of fast-chargers. The unified standard would cover more than 90 percent of the global market.

China is the world's largest market for electric vehicles.

Observers say Japanese makers of battery chargers will find it easier to enter the market under a unified standard.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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