As part of its People's Car Project (PCP) in China, Volkswagen has developed a concept car based on a crowd-sourced idea for an all-electric hover car that it will debut at the Beijing Auto Show.

The car is a two-person city car that hovers above the ground and travels via electromagnetic roadways. The Hover Car looks a lot like a flattened fish bowl with its circular design and large glass panels. Simon Loasby, Head of Design at Volkswagen Group China, said "The creative ideas from the ‘People's Car Project' give us a valuable insight into the wishes of Chinese drivers. The trend is towards safe cars that can easily navigate overcrowded roads and have a personal, emotional and exciting design."

Out of 119,000 submitted ideas, the other two picked by Volkswagen to become concept cars were The Music Car, which features OLED lights that create light shows to the driver's music and The Smart Key, which is just what it sounds like -- a car featuring a touchscreen key that provides information on the car's fuel level, security and more.

None of the cars will go on to become production models, but Volkswagen says they will use the people-designed vehicles to inspire features in future car models. Darn. I really wanted that Hover Car.

via Volkswagen

The system can accomodate AC and DC charging and has been chosen as the International Society of Automotive Engineers' official standard for fast-charging. The system will go on sale by the end of the year and will allow American and German EVs outfitted with the port to recharge at most public charging stations and at quick-charging stations. EVs featuring the new port will start going on sale in 2013.

Having a standardized charging port is a huge step in creating a mass market for EVs. This allows all German and American automakers to conform to a single style of port that supports both AC and DC chargers. This means EV charging companies can start developing and selling more fast-charging systems because the cars on the road will be equipped to use them and if potential customers know that fast-charging is an option, they will be more willing to opt for the EV over the gas-fueled car.

Japanese automakers have come up with their own fast-charging standard, but hopefully the two groups can come together and all EVs will feature the same charging port soon.