Quote:
Originally Posted by boston
Why are we still stuck with the 12v outlet that once lit cigarettes? Isn't there a better/small way to provide 12v power to accessories?
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I did wonder about that as well, but then again, it's a world wide standard (one of the few), in newer cars you do find USB, but IMO USB can't support the same power output as a 12V socket can, e.g. run a cooler box or a small hoover;
Some German cars now have even switched to USB-C, which most of the time still requires an adapter cable, as phones e.g come with a USB to USB-C charging cable out of the box;
You could of course install a regular power socket (you get e.g a 220V regular outlet in some European cars, but the problem is already that there are like 10 different power socket types in EUrope alone - of course non shared with the US ), but then again those are not standardized - neither in Voltage nor shape, unlike the "cigarette lighter" type of connector;