China may delay a new technical standard regulating electronic car charging due to technological and compatibility issues to the end of 2015. (Photo/China Business News)
(ECNS) - China may delay a new technical standard regulating electronic car charging due to technological and compatibility issues to the end of 2015, China Business News reported Thursday.
Ni Feng, deputy manager of a subsidiary electricity company under the State Grid, says "The drafts are complete even though several points remain controversial. If we can reach an agreement shortly, we can submit it as early as September."
Once this is done, it normally takes another three months to review the draft standards, which may possibly be released no earlier than the end of 2015. The standard was first scheduled for release in August.
"As we know, charging standards have two major aspects, including a vehicle and charge standard," Ni said.
It is argued that China's existing charging standards are insufficient, faced with issues including "blurry definition" and "being incomplete." The absence of a proper national-level standard means limited compatibility for charging facilities, which then fail to serve as many types of cars as it was hoped they would.
The new standard is expected to be an improvement in terms of safety, accuracy and completeness, said Ni. However, repetitive delays are mostly due to technological controversies as well as compatibility issues. It is challenging to achieve technological advancement as well as vast compatibility in one draft. Moreover, the creation of such professional standards usually involves conflicts of interest between different parties.
Last but not least, it still remains to be seen whether the new standard will actually be practiced even when it is released. Ni predicted the new standard will likely lead to a chaotic period for the charging industry.
