ACEA, CLEPA and EURELECTRIC promote single standard for charging ECVs

Brussels, 25 May 2012 – E-mobility has the potential to play a key role in meeting the challenges towards sustainable transport. Standardisation of the connection between the electricity grid and electrically-chargeable vehicles is one of the prerequisites to help e-mobility gain a viable market share.
ACEA, CLEPA and EURELECTRIC jointly agree on the need for a single harmonised plug system for the recharging of electric vehicles on both the vehicle and the infrastructure sides, and have put forward a proposal accordingly*.
The associations stress that this issue needs to be solved urgently, before the rolling-out of the infrastructure starts in different Member States on a wider scale. Therefore, the associations jointly and strongly urge the relevant European Institutions, and in particular the European Commission, to take appropriate measures to ensure the implementation of a single solution for the charging of electrically-chargeable vehicles in Europe, in line with the European industry proposal.
Standardisation provides predictability to investors; it enables economies of scale, reduces costs for all stakeholders and is essential in increasing user acceptance. All relevant industries want to provide a simple and cross-border operational solution for European citizens. The signatory associations are promoting a solution that can push Europe a step further, providing a tool for a more competitive and successful e-mobility market in the EU. The necessary steps should be taken to implement this solution without further delay.
Notes for editors
* ACEA has updated its position paper to cover recent developments, and CLEPA is now co-signatory of the paper. EURELECTRIC has recently issued its own paper reflecting the same position. The papers are available for download on the associations’ websites.
About CLEPA
CLEPA is the European Association of Automotive Suppliers; 90 of the world’s most prominent suppliers of car parts, systems and modules and 25 National trade associations and European sector associations are members. CLEPA represents more than 3 thousand companies, employing more than 5 million people and covering all products and services within the automotive supply chain. Based in Brussels, CLEPA is recognised as the natural discussion partner by the European Institutions, United Nations and fellow associations (ACEA, JAMA, MEMA, etc). For more information, contact Amalia Di Stefano, +32 2 743 91 35 or a.distefano@clepa.be and consult www.clepa.eu
About EURELECTRIC
The Union of the Electricity Industry is the sector association which represents the common interests of the electricity industry at pan-European level, plus its affiliates and associates on several other continents. In linewith its mission, EURELECTRIC seeks to contribute to the competitiveness of the electricity industry and to promote the role of electricity both in the advancement of society and in helping provide solutions to the challenges of sustainable development. For more information, contact Julia Eichhorst, +32 2 515 10 35 or jeichhorst@eurelectric.org and consult http://www.eurelectric.org
About ACEA
- The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) represents the 14 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus makers: BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ferrari, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Iveco Group, JLR, Mercedes-Benz, Renault Group, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, and Volvo Group.
- Visit www.acea.auto for more information about ACEA, and follow us on www.twitter.com/ACEA_auto or www.linkedin.com/company/ACEA/.
Contact:
- Cara McLaughlin, Communications Director, cm@acea.auto, +32 485 88 66 47.
- Ben Kennard, Content Editor and Press Manager, bk@acea.auto, +32 487 39 21 82
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About the EU automobile industry
- 13.0 million Europeans work in the automotive sector
- 11.5% of all manufacturing jobs in the EU
- €374.6 billion in tax revenue for European governments
- €101.9 billion trade surplus for the European Union
- Over 7% of EU GDP generated by the auto industry
- €59.1 billion in R&D spending annually, 31% of EU total