Currently, there’s strong support for a single-port fast-charging system for electric vehicles and both US and German automakers strongly support the notion by the likes of BMW, Ford, General Motors and Volkswagen to name a few.
The 26th Electric Vehicle Symposium (EV26) is taking place in Los Angeles right now and a few other car makers such as Audi, Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche are amongst the many who are keen to show off their DC-fast system, which could charge most electric vehicle’s battery packs in as little as 15 minutes.
The Nissan Leaf here in Malaysia is going to require a full 8 hour charge, although a quick charge will only take half an hour and can only provide 80% of the battery’s charge capacity.
The International Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) looks to make the DC-fast system a standard for fast charging and about time too with the system about to go on sale by the end of 2012.
Much like, “one plug to rule them all”; with such a standard having been put in place, it will help make EV adoption more viable. With greater availability for public access to fast chargers that could recharge your EV in a matter of minutes instead of hours, helps to take the pressure off range issues.
However, the issue of fast-charging has yet to be concluded with the introduction of Japan’s CHAdeMO fast-charge system with Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Subaru who happen to be on Fuji Heavy Industries’ band wagon for their CHAdeMO Association.
Source: hybridCARS
