Syber News

Anyone who remembers the (still-ongoing) fiasco that is charging adapters on smartphones can see the potential for similar issues as electric cars or plug-in hybrids become more popular. Thus, it's good to see at least an initial move in the direction of standardization: Japanese automakers Toyota and Nissan announced on Monday they have helped to set up a fast-charge station standardization group.

The group, Chademo, is led by Japan's biggest utility, Tokyo Electric Power, along with Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors, and Fuji Heavy Industries. It plans to set a Japanese standard and later aim for an international standard. It is expected that some 158 companies and government bodies are expected to join, including 20 non-Japanese firms such as PG&E, Enel, Endesa, and PSA Peugeot Citroen.

Although ranges for electric vehicles have risen, they are still mostly a commuter car, as they are tied to the need to recharge. While that's not an issue while roaming locally, it would be an issue for any long trip.

The press release announcing the consortium notes that group is not without punmasters:

"CHAdeMO" is an abbreviation of "CHArge de MOve", equivalent to "charge for moving", and is a pun for "O cha demo ikaga desuka" in Japanese, meaning "Let's have a tea while charging" in English.

It will, indeed, take some (long!) time to charge a plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle.  Further, the press release explains:

"This logo means smiles which associate a bright future and happiness with a combination of the circuit symbol of battery  representing "Charge", and a dynamic curving line  representing "Move".  This ecological green is the color of "Green Tea".

Nissan Chief Operating Officer Toshiyuki Shiga said, "We will compete when it comes to vehicle performance, but we should cooperate on areas such as infrastructure." Nissan will begin selling its first electric car later this year.