Eaton Corp. announced on April 29 that it will collaborate with Takaoka Electric Manufacturing Company, Ltd. to develop and launch DC Quick Chargers, a key component in the charging of electric vehicle (EV) battery packs. Tokyo-based Takaoka Electric is a leader in the installation and operation of EV chargers.

The collaboration will enable Eaton to provide a complete line of charging stations across residential, commercial and industrial applications in North America.

Eaton, which is currently working to advance the electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Burlington, Ontario, has experience in other markets that use free-standing electrical charging, including truck-stop electrification, ports, marinas, recreational vehicles, government and major public-sector infrastructure.

Takaoka Electric manufactures and sells electrical equipment primarily to the Japanese market. The company was founded in 1918 and employs 1,086 people. The revenue of fiscal year 2008, ended March 2009, was $438 million.

The company offers power transformers (gas-insulated and oil-immersed), on-load tap changing transformers (gas-insulated and oil-immersed), distribution transformers, mobile transformers, and mold-type transformers; horizontal break, vertical break, and pantograph disconnectors, as well as on-load switches; and gas-insulated switchgear, cubicle-type gas-insulated switchgear, and gas circuit breakers.