Toyota and EDF Developing Charging Stations

[Brent]

http://us.ft.com/ftgateway/superpage.ft?news_id=fto083120071725591281

EDF is France's national electric company. Toyota is evidently working with EDF to develop charging stations -- and presumably some sorts of standards -- for its upcoming plug-in hybrids.

EDF's deal with Toyota is expected to cover France initially but could be extended to other countries. The group also owns utility companies in Germany, Italy and the UK. Having adequate electricity infrastructure for the cars is important in Europe, where more motorists park on city streets overnight than in the US.

It seems that this arrangement has precedent:

Toyota's partnership with EDF on plug-ins is not the first between a carmaker and a utility. In June, Ford Motor announced a deal with Southern California Edison to install rechargeable batteries in 20 Ford Escape sport utility vehicles, starting this year.

It will be interesting to see whether we ever have an international charging standard. For convenience's sake, I certainly hope so.