Mobile phone: towards a single charger?

The chargers are piled up by the dozen, used then abandoned. Europeans spend about 2.4 billion euros a year to buy chargers. But the cables are not always compatible with all models. “Every time we change phones, we necessarily change cables”says a customer. The European Union therefore wishes to introduce a universal charger. Today, there are already three, but only one could remain.

The unique cable, named USBCis a measure ecological, because unused chargers represent more than 11,000 tonnes of waste per year. With this unique model, there would be 1000 tons less. But the giant Apple opposes it firmly because he uses a technology that is unique to him and that brings him a lot of money. “Apple wants to protect its market, an extremely lucrative market”explains Patrick bertoletjournalist. The measure would benefit European consumers who could save 250 million euros per year. It should apply at best in 2024.