General Motors and Toyota to Develop Electric Vehicle Charging System

1 June 1998
General Motors and Toyota to Develop Electric Vehicle Charging System
    WASHINGTON, June 1 -- Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and
General Motors Corporation (GM) today announced plans to jointly develop a new
inductive charging system for electric vehicles (EVs).
    The system will be based on the Magne-Charge(TM) inductive technology
developed by GM, but will incorporate a smaller "paddle" connector jointly
engineered by both companies.  Toyota and GM are open to discussions with all
interested companies in the hope that the system will eventually be adopted by
all manufacturers as the world standard for electric vehicle charging.
    "To bring EVs to the mainstream, battery life will have to increase while
cost decreases, recharge time will have to be reduced while the charging
infrastructure improves and -- most importantly -- recharging compatibility
will have to be solved," Hiroyuki Watanabe, Toyota Motor Corporation director
responsible for electric vehicle development, said in a press conference here.
"And today, Toyota and General Motors are taking a large step toward creating
that compatibility."
    "The real winner in this historic agreement is the consumer," said 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."
    Currently, there are two different charging systems used on EVs.  The
inductive system uses the Magne-Charge(TM) paddle to create an electromagnetic
connection between the power source and the vehicle, and is used on GM's EV1
and S-10 Electric Pickup and the Nissan Altra EV.  The conductive system uses
a conventional metal-to-metal plug connection.  It is used on the 1998 Toyota
RAV4-EV and all other major manufacturers' EVs.
    When viewed as complete systems from the utility grid to the vehicle
battery, the cost differences between inductive and conductive charging
systems are minimal.  However, the Magne-Charge(TM) inductive charging system
has several important advantages in the areas of durability.  Also, by placing
the charging componentry off-board, vehicle weight and complexity can be
reduced.  Finally, the joint development of a smaller charge paddle and port
will make incorporation of the inductive system much easier on future models
from all companies.
    The agreement will see 1999 RAV4-EVs optionally available with inductive
charging.  Toyota will continue to support its conductive charging customers
as well, and new purchasers of RAV4-EVs will be able to choose which charging
option they prefer.