via www.nytimes.com
You would think that the few auto manufacturers that produce electric vehicles could agree on a universal architecture to charge these vehicles. Apparently, as this New York Times article points out, this is not the case.
There are different levels of charging (120 volts, 240 volts and 480 volts). The more volts you pump in, the faster the batteries charge. That's quite intuitive. What's less intuitive is that there is sophisticated circuitry in these chargers that interfaces with the electronics of the batteries. Those two systems have do understand each other in order to work. Unfortunately, they often do not.
Due to the short sightedness of some manufacturers, we have different standards for these things. That means different circuitry, different physical chargers (think various sizes of gas nozzles) and charging stations that support one, but not the other. Imagine the headlines when consumers get stranded because the charging station they relied on only works for Nissan Leafs as opposed to Chevy Volts.
I can already see enterprising companies offering universal adaptors. And you thought international travel was difficult.
Wow Such a nice and wonderful car... it is also pollution free..
Posted by: Tampa electrician | 13 September 2011 at 11:04