2022-07-04 EU sets date for common phone charge cable 欧盟将统一手机等电子设备充电端口

在数不清的数据线中翻找与设备相匹配的充电器的日子可能即将结束。欧盟暂时达成协议：到2024年秋季，新的便携式电子设备必须配备 USB-C 端口充电器。

The idea of a common phone charger has been talked about for years. Now it finally looks set to come into force. This provisional agreement means that by the autumn of 2024, new mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in the EU, will have to use a USB Type-C charging port. There’s a longer phase-in period for laptops.

多年以来，人们一直在讨论要统一手机充电器。现在看来这一想法终将实行。这项临时协议规定，到2024年秋季，在欧盟销售的新手机、平板电脑和相机将必须使用 USB-C 充电端口。笔记本电脑的过渡期更长。

The European commissioner for the internal market, Thierry Breton, said the plans will save consumers money and be better for the environment.

欧盟内部市场专员蒂埃里·布雷顿说，协议中的规定将为消费者省钱，对环境也更有利。

The new rules would also apply to Apple, which uses its own Lightning connector technology. It’s previously argued the move will stifle innovation. Experts point too to the growth of wireless charging, which won’t be covered by the regulations.

新规定也将适用于使用自己 “闪电（Lightning）” 连接器技术的苹果公司。此前有人认为，该举措会扼杀创新。专家们还指出，无线充电技术的发展将不受这些法规的限制。

The size of the EU market also presents manufacturers with a dilemma – is it worth making phones with different ports for different countries or regions? Or will the EU’s decision impact the products on sale for the wider global market?

欧盟市场的规模也让制造商陷入了两难境地：为不同的国家或地区生产配有不同端口的手机，是否值得？欧盟的决定是否会影响面向更大的全球市场销售的产品？

词汇表

common 通用的，统一的
provisional 临时的
charging port 充电端口
phase-in 逐步引入
stifle 扼杀，抑制
wireless charging 无线充电
dilemma 两难境地
impact 影响

阅读理解：请在读完上文后，回答下列问题。

1. What type of charging port will mobile phones used in the EU have to have by 2024?

2. According to Thierry Breton, how will standardising charging ports help us?

3. Why has Apple previously not been very keen on this idea?

4. True or false? Standardising charging ports in the EU could help sales of mobile phones, tablets and cameras around the world.

答案 

1. What type of charging port will mobile phones used in the EU have to have by 2024?
This provisional agreement means that by the autumn of 2024, new mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in the EU, will have to use a USB Type-C charging port.

2. According to Thierry Breton, how will standardising charging ports help us?
The European commissioner for the internal market, Thierry Breton, said the plans will save consumers money and be better for the environment.

3. Why has Apple previously not been very keen on this idea?
Apple previously argued the move will stifle innovation.

4. True or false? Standardising charging ports in the EU could help sales of mobile phones, tablets and cameras around the world.
False. Manufacturers could face a dilemma – the EU’s decision might impact the products on sale for the wider global market.