Going for a smart grid

Many standards, technical advances will make it easier to recharge batteries in less time.

Shipments of electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) barely make a dent in overall auto sales, but their impact is rippling out in many directions. Standards organizations are working overtime to create specifications that will make it easier for such vehicles to connect to the grid, while companies that make charging stations are also burning the midnight oil as they attempt to gain a foothold in this market.

These efforts will play a central role in the acceptance of EVs and PHEVs (the acronym used to identify both vehicle types is PEV, the P standing for plug-in). Standards will form the basis for the infrastructure including electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) through which current is delivered to the vehicle.