Japan, China Agree to Unify Quick Electric Vehicle Charger Standards

August 29, 2018

Beijing- Japanese and Chinese industry groups on Tuesday exchanged a memorandum of understanding for unifying standards for next-generation quick chargers for electric vehicle batteries.

China, which has become the world's largest automobile market, is proceeding with the installation of chargers in line with the spread of electric vehicles in the country.

The industry groups plan to encourage other countries to join them, with the aim of making their next-generation charger specifications global standards.

The MOU was exchanged between the CHAdeMO Association, which formulates Japanese standards for chargers, and the China Electricity Council.

At a ceremony held in Beijing the same day, Toshiyuki Shiga, president of the CHAdeMO Association and board director of Nissan Motor Co. <7201>, said that he hopes the bilateral cooperation will serve to help the two countries exercise leadership on the global arena.

Besides Japan's CHAdeMO, there are several charger standards, including China's GB/T and the Combined Charging System in the United States and Europe.

The European side attempted to collaborate with China, according to informed sources. The Chinese side, however, chose Japan as its partner, judging that the country can be trusted in terms of technology, according to the sources.

If the envisioned Japan-China standards become global standards, Japanese-made electric vehicles can be exported without any adjustments to meet standards in other nations.

The two countries plan to urge Southeast Asian and other nations to adopt their next-generation standards, while aiming to persuade the United States and Europe to join them. Jiji Press