A common plug to fit every electric car

A new design of three-point, 400-volt plug unveiled today in Germany is intended to be compatible with every electric car of the future.

Leading car makers including Volkswagen, BMW, Ford, General Motors, Fiat, Toyota and Mitsubishi and energy companies have reached agreement on a common plug, although there is as yet no timeframe for its introduction.

The development of a common plug is seen as a small step towards the mass production of electric cars.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “Mobile phone manufacturers may get away with making a different type of plug for every design of handset, but this would not be acceptable where cars are concerned.”

What is the ETA?

The ETA provides motorists and cyclists with green breakdown cover and green insurance products and campaigns for sustainable transport – when you buy our services below you help fund our charitable work.

The ETA provides a specialist breakdown and recovery service to the drivers of electric cars.