AZEqualizer
12-23-2008, 11:33 AM
Popular Mechanics had an interesting article on standardizing Plugs.
http://media.popularmechanics.com/images/plugin-story-470-0507.jpg
Refueling a plug-in electric vehicle sounds like an overly simple task: Take it to the socket and plug it in. But when you are quickly transferring 400 amps of energy, your everyday outlet—and standard extension cord—just won't do. Before the plug-in electric revolution becomes a reality, engineers have to first agree on standardized cords that are sleeker, safer and smarter than the traditional three-prong extension cord. Here are the problems and answers from engineers on their quest for the perfect plug.
By Ben Block
Published on: December 18, 2008
Californians first experimented with all-electric vehicles 10 years ago. As a young technology, the system was riddled with quirks. Among Richard Lowenthal's frustrations: He didn't know whether a charge station could connect to his Toyota Rav-4 EV until he looked at its cord. Imagine a gas-station pump suited for a Chevy but not a Honda. "There were four different [cord] standards," Lowenthal recalls. "It was a complete mess."
Read the Problems and Answers here: (http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4296274.html)
http://media.popularmechanics.com/images/plugin-story-470-0507.jpg
Refueling a plug-in electric vehicle sounds like an overly simple task: Take it to the socket and plug it in. But when you are quickly transferring 400 amps of energy, your everyday outlet—and standard extension cord—just won't do. Before the plug-in electric revolution becomes a reality, engineers have to first agree on standardized cords that are sleeker, safer and smarter than the traditional three-prong extension cord. Here are the problems and answers from engineers on their quest for the perfect plug.
By Ben Block
Published on: December 18, 2008
Californians first experimented with all-electric vehicles 10 years ago. As a young technology, the system was riddled with quirks. Among Richard Lowenthal's frustrations: He didn't know whether a charge station could connect to his Toyota Rav-4 EV until he looked at its cord. Imagine a gas-station pump suited for a Chevy but not a Honda. "There were four different [cord] standards," Lowenthal recalls. "It was a complete mess."
Read the Problems and Answers here: (http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4296274.html)