Japanese and Chinese industry groups have agreed to standardize a next-generation fast-charging system for electric vehicles (EVs), it has been learned, in an effort to jointly develop a charger by 2020 that can fully charge a vehicle in less than 10 minutes.
Japan, China and Europe have been locked in a tug-of-war over standards for EV charging systems. By joining hands, Japan and China will hold more than 90 percent of the market for fast chargers and take a major step toward achieving a global standard.
The CHAdeMo Association, a group of auto and battery makers that promote Japan's fast-charging standard, called CHAdeMo, is expected to sign an agreement with the China Electricity Council (CEC) in Beijing by the end of this month. CEC promotes China's standard, called GB/T.
Japan's fast-charging system produces around 150 kilowatts now, while China's version produces around 50 kilowatts. Japan and China aim to commercialize a new system capable of producing more than 500 kilowatts.
It currently takes about 30 minutes for cars in Japan to be recharged with a fast charger, but this will eventually be reduced to less than 10 minutes.
Japan is expected to provide China with technical know-how on fast charging and safety management, and China to provide Japan with parts and other resources. The new standard is expected to be based on Japanese technology, as Japan leads in technological development.
Fast-charging standards differ by developer in terms of shapes of plugs, displays to inform users of charge amounts and other factors. Japan's CHAdeMo, China's GB/T and Europe's Combined Charging System (Combo) are currently competing for dominance in the field. If the Japan-China team succeeds in establishing a global standard, it will become easier for Japan to export EVs, benefitting battery makers that possess advanced expertise in terms of production and sales.
More than 80 percent of fast chargers installed worldwide in 2018, or 220,000 units, used China's GB/T standard, as the country leads the world in terms of number of EVs. The figure is far higher than the about 18,000 units that use Japan's CHAdeMo and the about 7,000 that use Europe's Combo.
The United States, which currently uses a system relatively similar to Europe's, will likely adopt the new standard designed by Japan and China if it becomes the de facto global norm.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
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