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

  • Speed management on freeways
    June 22, 2012
    Characteristics of traffic speed and flow in managed freeways - *Dr Adrian Withill. In order to maximise the benefits of existing infrastructure, in terms of reduced delays and increased safety, many governments have recently been introducing projects that measure traffic speed and flow and automatically introduce advisory or mandatory speed limits. Such schemes tend to offer relatively quick wins at relatively lower capital costs than traditional highway construction. In light of the current world economy,
    Read More
  • Traffic jam
    July 5, 2019
    Our Skidmarks page is highly rated by readers. Your input could help make this page even more entertaining. If you come across any amusing road-related stories or pictures email me at [email protected] TRAFFIC JAM Police in the South African city of Port Elizabeth recently spotted a vehicle they suspected of being overloaded. The minibus was escorted to a police compound, where the occupants were made to get out of the vehicle. In all, the Toyota HiAce bus had been carrying 48 people, most of them childr
    Read More
  • Taming traffic in urban areas
    August 15, 2019
    The success of the motor car as a form of transport is also proving its undoing. In urban areas around the world, passenger cars clog the roads and add to air pollution. Reducing urban traffic congestion is being seen as a priority in many cities. French capital Paris has had a number of car-free days, which has more recently been replicated in Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh. Looking ahead, the plan by Edinburgh’s local authority is to cut city centre traffic by 30% in 10 years. Congestion charging has bee
    Read More
  • Dynapac offers new electric forward plates: a leap in sustainability and efficiency
    July 9, 2024
    Dynapac's new Electric Forward Plates merging cutting-edge technology with a strong commitment to sustainability, operator health, and economic efficiency. These machines are designed to be emission-free, making them environmentally friendly and ideal for urban areas with stringent environmental regulations. The electric operation not only ensures zero harmful emissions but also enhances energy efficiency by converting more energy into useful work and less into waste heat. This makes the Electric Forward Plates not only eco-friendly but also more efficient compared to their internal combustion counterparts.
    Read More

Highlighted Content