One of the environmental regulations we benefit from here in the us, is eu common charger rules! Basically all computer like devices now use usb-c. Thanks.

But it would be even better to be common to essentially every portable device. I’ve seen flashlights that charge over usb-c.

While I was travelling this past weekend, my toothbrush battery died and I didn’t have the proprietary charging base. I sure wish that took usb-c also. Looking online I see a couple but most electronic toothbrushes still use proper chargers

Which brings up: what are you guys seeing, where common charger rules are actually required? Looking across non-computer devices that are not required to be usb-c, are they?

  • xxce2AAb@feddit.dk
    5·
    15 hours ago

    Thinking more broadly than just portable devices, EVs seems like an obvious candidate for harmonization. I’m aware that the industry is still settling, but perhaps a set of standard voltages that all charging stations could support and a protocol / interface for dynamic charger / vehicle voltage negotiation wouldn’t go amiss.

    • AA5B@lemmy.worldOP
      1·
      52 minutes ago

      I believe EVs are being harmonized, although separately….or is that what you meant?

      Don’t EVs in EU have a standardized charger and negotiate voltage and current?

      In the US, we have an old standard that needs to go away, a newer standard that is going away, and Tesla’s standard which seems to be on the way to the winning standard. But the handshake is already compatible: switching between systems just requires a physical adapter. I believe the car and charger negotiate for the best voltage and current it can use

      And of course level I and II charging use residential electrical standards, so already must be as standard as you can get. No one wants to try resolving those

      • xxce2AAb@feddit.dk
        7·
        14 hours ago

        I looked into it, and apparently EV chargers in the EU are supposed to comply with EN ISO 15118-1 to -5 series of standards from January 8, 2026 and additionally EN ISO 15118-20 from January 1, 2027. I haven’t exactly had the chance to read all of those obviously, but the summary certainly sounds encouraging:

        These standards are the central basis for future-oriented functions such as “Plug & Charge”, secure communication between vehicle and charging point and bidirectional charging (vehicle-to-grid).

        • AA5B@lemmy.worldOP
          2·
          46 minutes ago

          Oh ok. I have no idea what the situation here is for bidirectional charging. It’s not common yet.

          And yes, we’re trying to work out common payment systems, but as far as I know, that’s just software. Historically chargers required you to register and pay through the manufacturers app, but that’s unscalable when you have many possible charger manufacturers supporting a common standard.

          One of the requirements for US incentives to build out chargers was mandating credit card readers so anyone can drive up and charge without a proprietary app. Of course that was cancelled in our chaotic political situation, so will take more years to happen

          • xxce2AAb@feddit.dk
            2·
            35 minutes ago

            Here’s hoping you guys will eventually manage to work it all out, even if that will likely have to await a more, um… rational policy regime.

            • AA5B@lemmy.worldOP
              2·
              24 minutes ago

              Rational … hahahahahahahahahhehehe hoo hohoho hah haha hah hah hahahahahah aha haha. Sorry, where were we again?

              • xxce2AAb@feddit.dk
                2·
                22 minutes ago

                I think we were having a shared nervous breakdown over the current state of geopolitics, but the hyperventilation made my lose consciousness so I can’t be sure.