Tesla uses a non-industry standard connection.
The fundamental problem: Lithium-ion batteries are prone to run-away charging and discharging dynamics.
This is the source of the chronic fires:
Boeing's 787
Tesla's roadster battery array
Tesla's charging system
....
This tick gets even more pronounced as the batteries get better.
The current solution is to actively sense the temperature -- and to throttle the current via semi-conductor means.
(Probably an IGBT)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulated-gate_bipolar_transistorThese switches are changing everything on the load-side.
Eventually, three-phase motors will be commonly powered by single-phase circuits. IGBTs will permit 3-phase synthesis. This has already been proto-typed in hermetic refrigeration compressors.
The ability to throttle such compressors up and down increases their efficiency -- and makes them last three times as long. (It's virtually a solid state solution.)
