Toyota, GM Join To Develop Charging System For EVs

Toyota Motor Corp. and General Motors Corp. have announced plans to jointly develop a new inductive charging system for electric vehicles. The system will be based on the Magne-Charge inductive technology developed by GM, but will incorporate a smaller "paddle" connector jointly engineered by both companies. There currently are two different charging systems on electric vehicles. The new system developed by the two automakers will help standardize charging-system technology.

"The real winner in this historic agreement is the consumer," says Robert C. Purcell, executive director of GM Advanced Technology Vehicles. "With one standard charging technology, consumers will be more likely to accept EVs into their future transportation plans -- no matter what brand of electric vehicle they are driving."