Schneider Electric, Legrand & Scame are forming an alliance to promote the use of a high safety plug and socket solution for electric vehicle charge infrastructure in Europe. The EV Plug Alliance seeks rapid adoption of a European standard for electric vehicle infrastructure plugs that meets security levels required for installation in homes and buildings. Doing so at an optimized cost is a key factor to develop the nascent electric vehicle market. The Alliance aims to provide a label that guarantees full compliance with the Type 3 of the IEC standard for plug & socket in finalization.
The plug endorsed by the Alliance will ensure compatibility between multiple suppliers' products. Charge at a power up to 24 kW, in mono or three phase installations will allow charging electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. It will offer the highest level of safety with the use of shutters to protect against accidental touch of electric parts. The first products labeled by the EV Plug Alliance are expected to be available at the end of second quarter 2010. Schneider release