At the Paris Motor Show every car manufacturer presented its own electric
car version: full electric or plug-in, urban or familial, private or utilitarian. One
could have a look at these cars, but not open their “reservoir” as most of the
vehicles plugs were actually sealed. Surprising as consumers may want to
know where and how to charge EVs before buying any. This is due to the fact
that in Europe, vehicles plugs, sockets and charging stations are still not
standardized. As Electric vehicles are already being produced and will soon
be on the market, why has Europe still not define its own infrastructure
standards? Does it matter? Should Europe not hurry?

The electric vehicle charging puzzle: different plugs for different
charging modes and different charging types

In a rather frightening tone for consumers and for the future of the French
electric car sector in general, a polemic article recently written in the French
Journal Les Echos, criticized the two biggest French manufacturers Renault
and PSA for their lack of cooperation.

A shame, when the French government is heavily subsidizing the sector to
create French leadership; A risk when one knows that Europe would gain
competitive edge by agreeing at home in developing its own market; an
aberration for French consumers who would have to carry around multiple
adapters.

Renault, in particular, is said in this article to develop specific and
incompatible charging modes and plugs, while other manufacturers have
agreed on a common system; and in addition forcing EV drivers to change
their home electricity system to increase the load capacity. Well, actually the
debate is not as simple as it is presented and the article is not always
accurate. There is indeed no good and bad boy here, just different business
and marketing strategies.

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