Held in Brussels, the meeting pulled together technical experts from the automotive industry, government and stakeholders in the electromobility market. Discussions centred on setting priorities for which systems should be standardised first to avoid conflicts between both sides of the Atlantic.

Participants discussed having an international standard for electrical couplers, possibly based on the SAE’S new combo coupler, but agreed that these would have to vary based on electrical grid requirements. Wireless charging, which is still in its infancy, is already being developed co-operatively between companies on both side of the Atlantic.

Systems which allow vehicles to communicate with the electrical grid should also be standardised, a process which would require carmakers, utility providers and charging network suppliers to work together. Vehicle and battery safety structures, as well as the way batteries should be transported and stores, could also be subject to Trans-Altantic co-operative development.

In a video message to the roundtable participants, U.S. deputy national security advisor for international economic affairs, Michael Froman, said: ‘By working closely on emerging technologies like electric vehicles at an early stage, we can avoid creating unnecessary barriers to trade and investment that many of our countries and their workers face.’