20 July 2012: The Implementing Agreement for Co-operation on Hybrid and Electric Technologies and Programmes (IA-HEV) of the International Energy Agency (IEA) has published its latest newsletter, highlighting the Spring 2012 IA-HEV meetings held in Los Angeles, US. The meetings addressed electric vehicle (EV) charging interoperability and data collection.

The newsletter also provides an overview of a new web portal, unveiled at the first World Electric Vehicle Cities and Ecosystems (WECE) conference in Los Angeles, in May 2012. The portal is a project of the Global EV readiness initiatives (EVX), a partnership between leading global EV (electric vehicles) readiness initiatives. The portal provides a platform for exchanging information and best practices in EV deployment.

In addition, the newsletter notes that the “Treaty of Vaals” was signed on 30 March 2012, in Vaals, the Netherlands, by seven organizations managing public charging infrastructure for electric cars in Europe. The Treaty is a collaboration agreement on “e-roaming.” An open clearing and settlement platform is provided through E-clearing.net. This platform facilitates the international exchange of electric car charging data between the organizations, and makes international charging as easy as local charging for EV drivers.

Updates on various Tasks are also provided in the newsletter including on: Task 10, Electrochemical Systems, in relation to an upcoming workshop on better battery performance in extreme temperatures; Task 19, Life Cycle Assessment of Electric Vehicles, which has established a research platform; and Task 20, Quick Charging Technology, which will focus on business models, interoperability, batteries, and communication. [Publication: IA-HEV Newsletter: The Road Ahead]