GM proposes standardized plug for electric vehicles

Say what you will about General Motors (okay, so maybe you should say it under your breath), but there's no denying the brilliance of this idea. On the company's FastLane blog, one Gery Kissel explains that engineers and suits will be meeting up next week to discuss the standardization of common components that will hopefully be installed in forthcoming electric vehicles. Notably, the SAE J1772 Task Force will be responsible for designing a plug that links each plug-in vehicle to an "ecosystem," ensuring that drivers can pull into any charging station from Key West to Neah Bay and see a socket that fits their ride. Specifically, the group is being charged with defining a "common electric vehicle conductive charging system architecture for all major automakers in North America," but it remains to be seen if said standard can be hammered out before the Volt's not-to-be-missed 2010 introduction.

[Maestro @ Apr 17th 2009 8:17AM]

Actually a great idea. Now if the gadget makers of the world could also agree I could empty out that drawer of orphaned power adapters in my office!

[Templarian @ Apr 17th 2009 8:23AM]

At least most phones are switching to microUSB. But yea, switching to bluetooth/wireless charging would be best.

[RoboDan @ Apr 17th 2009 10:38AM]

How about an existing standard - like the kind used on desktop PSUs, monitors, TVs, some laptop chargers, some external peripherals, etc.

Wait - does that mean that there is already a standard and GM is just doing this for marketing as a last-ditch effort to remain afloat? Nah, that couldn't be it - they're still going strong

[ImaYam @ Apr 17th 2009 10:23AM]

I couldve sworn everyone was still switching to microUSB!

[Cellulose @ Apr 17th 2009 11:23AM]

Funny... GM proposed a standard almost 10 years ago. It was called Inductive Charging and a major feature of the GM-EV1. They even got other major automakers to buy-off on the standard including the US big 3 and the Japanese big 3.

Since CARB decided that inductive charging was evil back in 2002, I guess we're re-inventing the wheel all over again 10 years later at taxpayer expense.

[Kyle B @ Apr 17th 2009 11:26AM]

@RoboDan

I would like to see the cable used to power a desktop PSU, much less charge a laptop carry the amperage needed to *quickly* charge the batteries of an EV.

[KarlW @ Apr 17th 2009 11:49AM]

You know, I hope they take advantage of this to innovate. For example, I'd make charging require some sort of authorisation service, meaning that stolen vehicles can be refused power. Or integrate data in the power cable, giving easier access to onboard devices when it's plugged in to your home. You could use that same cable to upload GPS data to a secure police server, which could be used to track stolen vehicles as an alternative to the authorisation service.

This would limit the incentive for thieves and people who buy stolen cars from them, as vehicles will be easier to track or unable to be recharged from a roadside station. It would also allow manufacturers to properly integrate media playback devices in cars with home computers where music is typically stored. People could plot a route from their home computer and use the fact that the car is on the network to upload the data to their GPS device, or route data could be collected and uploaded to a local council server to help city planning to ease congestion. Building in data functionality really gives manufacturers room to innovate.

Of course, this would have to be done in a standards compliant manner, as we all know how car manufacturers love to tie people in to proprietary technologies. To allow for expansion, it should use something similar to Bluetooth's profiles, which eliminate the need for drivers (pun intended) and ensure compatibility, whilst giving manufacturers room to innovate. Of course, services such as GPS tracking for the police and town planning using GPS route data require security and responsible use on the part of those services. Given that access to the data is properly controlled (for example, only being authorised to track cars that have been reported stolen), the automotive industry could really take a leap forward with this.

[Slappy Wag @ Apr 17th 2009 11:57AM]

Here's the deal: I can't live with having to stop every 40 miles to charge up. When they get fully electric cars to go 250+ miles on a single charge, give me a call. Until then, it won't matter because I won't buy one. Green or not, nobody will be travelling very far in these things until they go a long, long way on said charge.

[Slappy Wag @ Apr 17th 2009 12:01PM]

KarlW, your ideas sound rather Orwellian. No thanks. I don't want a car that tracks where I have been and uploads it to the police. That information is nobody else's business. A simple "call home" feature would be better, ala Lo Jack.

[Ian @ Apr 17th 2009 12:16PM]

well your in luck Slappy Wag. Tesla has over 250 miles per charge, the volt will have 300 miles (with gasoline recharge), and a few others have that capability. so go one join in the future we all call now.

[Mojo_Yugen @ Apr 17th 2009 12:19PM]

This idea isn't brilliant. It's painfully obvious that this needs to be done. I can't believe that they hadn't been talking about this for at least a few years.

@Slappy Wag - the Volt doesn't need to be recharged every 40 miles. That's just the range of it's battery. There's still that little thing called a gasoline engine in it.

[vdex34 @ Apr 17th 2009 8:17AM]

Non-standardized components hasn't been a difficulty for computer manufacturers (DELL!!!), just consumers and the repairman. I imagine the same would be similar for electric cars.

[Dave Chappelle @ Apr 17th 2009 11:57AM]

but do you trust G.M with this??? they are very tricky.

[vdex34 @ Apr 17th 2009 2:12PM]

Not at all GM should have gone out of business long ago.

[Adderz @ Apr 17th 2009 8:20AM]

*sigh* it will be many many years before we see electric vehicles become the norm. Whos going to pay to convert every fuel station into a powering station?

Thats billions if not trillions of dollars worldwide.

[bondsbw @ Apr 17th 2009 8:26AM]

It's called the Free Market. If gas stations want to last into the electric age, they'll convert.

And who said only gas stations could do this? This definitely opens up a new market for other providers.

[Adderz @ Apr 17th 2009 8:37AM]

Not to mention the power has to come from somewhere, electric companies will need to upgrade their infrastructure.

Its such a big leap, and no one is willing to make the first move it seems, thus the lack of real progress....

[Wwhat @ Apr 17th 2009 8:47AM]

It seems a hell of a lot easier to provide an electrical outlet than digging a huge hole for a tank full of toxic stuff that also can create a huge fire and explode, electrical outlet you only need a big powercable and some space for the cars to stand.

[Schweppes @ Apr 17th 2009 8:49AM]

"Free Market"

The only thing Free about the GM market is the TAX MONIES THEY ARE GETTING FROM TAX PAYERS... even people who dont even use a car..

FACK YOU GM! STFU and close your word hole you wont be around to sell 1 of your crappy electric cars...

You had a chance and you killed it off..

DIE GM DIE

[wjousts @ Apr 17th 2009 8:52AM]

@bondsbw: I agree with the idea that this opens up all kinds of new venues for charging. If I owned a large parking garage downtown in a major city, I'd be sticking some solar panels and/or wind turbines on the top and putting in charging stations at every space. When a driver pulls in, they swipe their credit card and plug their car in. Car charges while they work / shop / go to the ball game / whatever, I charge the credit card for the electricity they use and I help keep my electricity costs low with the solar / wind power on the roof. If there are less cars charging that what's being produced by my solar / wind generators, I can sell it back to the electric utility. I can still produce income, even with an empty parking lot!
Win, win!

[wjousts @ Apr 17th 2009 8:55AM]

@Wwhat: Not to mention that many gas stations closed when they raised the standards for the underground gas tanks a few years back. It was too expensive for some stations to dig up and replace they leaky storage tanks they had. Seems like an upgrade to electric would be a lot easier.

[Adderz @ Apr 17th 2009 9:12AM]

Where do you suppose you get the money to fit out your parking garage?

Thats half the problem, everyone has all these great ideas on how electric cars should be and what have you, but no one has the cash to put those ideas into action.

Plus i dont think ExxonMobile aka BP Shell etc would be too happy.

[elBravo @ Apr 17th 2009 9:52AM]

@Adderz:

Yea, the oil companies might frown upon you, but the ConEds, PECOs, Excelons, whatever power companies will probably give you a nice pat on the back.

@wjousts:

I'm not sure what kind of wind turbine/solar technology your privy to, but if that garage of yours is any bigger than one spot, you might have a problem meeting your energy demands.

[wjousts @ Apr 17th 2009 10:01AM]

@Adderz: Same place all start up business' get money. Venture capital, banks, investors, etc. Ok, so maybe it's not so easy right now, but a good business plan shouldn't have a problem finding money. You need to spend money to make money.
Plus, who gives a fuck what the oil companies thinks of the idea? AFAIK, they don't own parking garages.

@elBravo: Solar and/or wind is just to supplement the electricity you get from the grid. As I said in my first post, it's to reduce your electricity costs, not to completely replace the electric utility. Plus, at least some of the time, you'd be generating more than your using and you can sell it back.

[Ed T @ Apr 17th 2009 10:14AM]

Here's a solution -- you buy electricity off the grid at 8 cents per kwhr, and you sell it at your EV "filling station" at a price slightly less that the mileage equivalent for gasoline. Fill up the battery in your Tesla roadster? Sure bud, that'll be $18 please (for about $4 worth of juice).

Outrageous profit you say? Maybe, but what else is the driver going to do when the only socket for his "standard plug" is at the government approved and licensed charging station?

Of the $14 gross profit, the station will probably get to keep $2, $10 will go to the feds for taxes and license fees, and fat ass Al Gore will get the last $2 for carbon offsets.

[Taylor @ Apr 18th 2009 3:21AM]

Schweppes:

I'd like to see you say that to the faces of the millions of people working in General Motors factories around the world, and their families.

Regardless of their corporate overlords, working at a GM factory has been some people's life jobs. And it's not gonna be easy for them to find jobs if ALL the GM factories in the world close at once.

[Templarian @ Apr 17th 2009 8:21AM]

I actually didn't mind the look of the old electric charger design. Wonder what was wrong with it.

[Chuckles McGee @ Apr 17th 2009 11:20AM]

Right. What's wrong with the old three prong design?

[Andir3.0 @ Apr 17th 2009 12:20PM]

Three prong US? Three prong European? (or do they have 4?)...

There's not even a global standard on Electricity yet.

I do hope they come up with a standard motor mount as well. It would be nice to have competitors in every field trying to produce more efficient motors as well as batteries instead of being tied into your car and the motor that came with it.

[Honza @ Apr 17th 2009 8:24AM]

I don't care as long as I can buy an $2 adapter from monoprice.

[From My Cube @ Apr 17th 2009 11:21AM]

monoprice is right up there with internet porn....one of the greatest things ever

[inteller @ Apr 17th 2009 8:24AM]

So who will be there to carry on the standard when this turd is bankrupt and gone.

[Tim @ Apr 17th 2009 8:56AM]

SAE

[digitallysick @ Apr 17th 2009 8:29AM]

Seems like this would be common sense, its the only way electric can make it in the usa, we have to standard plugins

[Jonathan @ Apr 17th 2009 8:33AM]

I hope Sony never develops an electric car.

[Windhawk @ Apr 17th 2009 8:43AM]

LOL, if Sony does it is sure to use a proprietary charger. :-)

[Matt @ Apr 17th 2009 8:33AM]

We need wireless charging. That would be epic, never having to refuel your car again. evur.

[Jon @ Apr 17th 2009 9:57AM]

then you park close to your neighbour every night...

wireless charging would be kinda dangerous for hybrid (petrol + electric) cars... unless it's charged by some kinda electromagnetic field with a specific frequency :P or whatever.

[jack1701 @ Apr 17th 2009 8:34AM]

... and charging a car battery takes how long ???

I'd prefer the battery swap idea I've read somewhere the other day.

[Windhawk @ Apr 17th 2009 8:46AM]

That is the model being used by Better Place

http://www.betterplace.com/

Drive in like you are going to one of those Laser Wash car wash thingies and a robot arm will lift out your depleted battery and put in a fresh one in under 5 minutes.

[Sirius @ Apr 17th 2009 8:49AM]

Didn't they just develop a new battery that could charge in 10 minutes? That'd be workable, I think..

[blairseip @ Apr 17th 2009 8:36AM]

Good idea; gas stations have a standard nozzle size, why not electrics, too?

Hopefully, companies will create converters for those electrics that don't meet the standard...assuming that's even possible,

[Windhawk @ Apr 17th 2009 8:43AM]

I can see myself driving around with a bag full of electrical plug adapters.

[Geekbuzz.fr @ Apr 17th 2009 8:43AM]

Its the only thing can do GM, to get out their crisis?

[marix @ Apr 17th 2009 8:45AM]

Please be Mini usb
PLEASE BE MINI USB!!!!

[Wwhat @ Apr 17th 2009 8:51AM]

Charge a freaking electric car via mini-usb? Sure but it'll take about a year or 3 to charge it and the connector will have to be replaced every week.

[The_Steven @ Apr 17th 2009 8:45AM]

Of course GM proposes a "standard" plug, everyone will propose a "standard" plug... look at it this way, do you think that they will allow *anyone* to put that into their own product without a royalty? NOT. I'll bet they will "offer" their plug to all manufacturers for the "low, low" price of $x.xx based on the purchase of x thousand units.

[Wwhat @ Apr 17th 2009 8:49AM]

Actually yes I expect it to be royalty free and in a group effort by various car manufacturers.

[TimmyRaa @ Apr 17th 2009 8:46AM]

If it's good enough for phones... can you get 30A through a microUSB plug?

[Wwhat @ Apr 17th 2009 8:52AM]

haha, it's called a 'single use spot welder' but sure.