Nissan moves to speed up EV charging infrastructure

Nissan has teamed up with leading European utility and electrical vehicle (EV) supply equipment companies to speed development of cheaper, smaller, quick chargers for electric vehicle batteries, and accelerate the installation of publicly-available Quick Charge (QC) points across Europe.
February 29, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
2454 Nissan has teamed up with leading European utility and electrical vehicle (EV) supply equipment companies to speed development of cheaper, smaller, quick chargers for electric vehicle batteries, and accelerate the installation of publicly-available Quick Charge (QC) points across Europe.

This agreement between 2454 Nissan, 3370 Circutor, 3368 DBT, 3371 Efacec, 3373 Endesa and 1134 Siemens is expected to result in a dramatic reduction in the price of the units - by over half to under €10,000 (US$13,668) - paving the way for businesses such as service stations, car park operators and retail outlets to install quick chargers and run them profitably as a commercial enterprise. This will mean Nissan Leaf drivers, and other quick charge enabled vehicles, could use their car for longer journeys and recharge the car's battery to 80 per cent capacity in less that half an hour.

As a result, it is expected that there will now be thousands of QCs across Europe by the end of 2012, and tens of thousands by 2015. Nissan says this infrastructure will open up Leaf ownership to a whole new spectrum of buyers who occasionally need to do longer journeys. A quick charge allows the battery to be topped up in little more time than it takes to refuel a conventional car, and the owner can leave the vehicle while it is being 'refuelled' to make calls, have lunch or take a break.

A Cha de Mo DC quick charger delivers 50 kW of high voltage direct current (DC) electricity straight to the battery, speeding up the charging process.Nissan Leaf has a range between charges of up to 175 km (109 miles) as tested over the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).

"We are confident that the Nissan Leaf's range will be enough to satisfy most drivers' daily needs. However, with a significant number of QCs available across Europe, EV owners who need to drive longer distances will be able to do so with confidence, knowing they will be able to recharge no matter where they go, which we believe is essential for the mass adoption of EVs," says Toshiyuki Shiga Nissan COO.Deliveries of Nissan Leaf have already begun in the UK, the Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal. Order books have also opened in Switzerland, Belgium Norway, Sweden and Denmark with customers in those markets expected to start receiving their cars shortly.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Concrete barriers help to minimise accidents
    July 12, 2012
    Concrete barriers offer a highway safety solution - Mike Woof writes. Concrete safety barriers are being installed on many of Europe's major highways, particularly for use as centre lane dividers. The strength and durability of concrete barriers can help reduce the risk of cross over accidents, one of several topics raised at a conference in Brussels on concrete highway barriers organised by the European Concrete Paving Association, EUPAVE. The conference was opened by Yves Deceoene of the IRF's Belgian ex
    Read More
  • Engine improvements for decarbonisation
    June 5, 2024
    As the need for decarbonisation becomes more pressing, engine firms are looking ahead to the next step for power systems, writes Mike Woof.
    Read More
  • Deutz to deliver hybrid and electric drive solutions with E-Deutz
    April 23, 2018
    Deutz has revealed its first integrated hybrid and electric drive system for mobile plant and machinery. Called E-Deutz, the modular power unit combines a diesel engine, electric motor and battery pack, which forms the basis of a full range of electric drives and hybrid systems as the engine maker moves forward with its electrification strategy. E-Deutz is currently available with a 110kW output, which combines 55kW from a 2.9 litre TCD2.9 stage V-compliant diesel engine with a 55kW electric motor with
    Read More
  • Toll-tale market strength for leading tolling manufacturers
    May 22, 2014
    New major highway tolling solution supply contracts and the launch of cutting-edge tolling products have invigorated the global tolling technology market in the first half of 2014, as Guy Woodford reports Kapsch TrafficCom has been selected by North Tarrant Express (NTE) Mobility Partners LLC to provide the toll collection, intelligent transport and network communication systems for the NTE extension project in the US state of Texas. The NTE extension is approximately 16km long, and runs along I-35W north o
    Read More

Highlighted Content