Auto industry officials have agreed on a set of standards for charging electric vehicles in Europe.

The plan brought forth by an automobile manufacturers’ trade association will allow electric car users and makers to use a standardised plug and system for recharging the emissions-cutting vehicles in all countries around the continent and the British Isles.

Ivan Hodac, general secretary for the ACEA, which has facilitated the process of standardisation, said that the effort would pave the way for worldwide standardising electric cars. He said the organisation now called for the European Commission to accept the new system, which the organisation says would quickly clear any remaining issues regarding charging standards.

The ACEA wants all organisations in the industry, as well as regulatory bodies and governments to adopt its new standard as well. The group says that the electric car market has been heavily fragmented around the world because of different methods and ideas regarding charging the vehicles.

The largest issue outlined in the proposal is the plug utilised for charging electric cars, however it also addresses numerous issues including how utility companies should charge public and private entities for car charging and how power grid systems can communicate with the inlet for electricity on electric powered automobiles.