Charging infrastructure consolidation for EV and PHV

It seems that the 4 automobile companies of Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi Motors have join hands to establish a new company, to promote the Charging infrastructure consolidation for EV and PHV, by the end of May this year. The purpose is to accelerate the domestic growth of EV and PHV that is making no progress due to shortage in the cruising range of a single charging.
 
At present, about 4000 normal charging stations, and 2000 rapid charging stations are set up. The policy to strengthen the system by the establishment of new company aiming at doubling the target number of installation was published last summer. It is a rare case of major competing car companies jointly starting up the company, and it seems that they also had the vision of providing the hydrogen station consolidation for the FCV (fuel cell vehicle) in the future.
 
In the new company, the convenience is considered by aiming for the interchangeability of the pricing system, so that the charging can be done with 1 card all over the country, in addition to providing the pricing and settlement service when using the charger.

The system of Government assistance for a maximum of 2/3 has already been installed, among the rapid charging station that takes more than US$ 50,000 (5 million yen) to establish, and the four companies share the equivalent part of the balance establishment cost. It is said as the policy to ease the establishment by the entrepreneurs of the gas (petrol) station and the convenience store etc.

Nissan Leaf

Toyota Prius PHV

Though Nissan “Leaf” and Toyota “Prius PHV” etc. are proceeding with the EV and PHV, the Leaf is making maximum vehicle sales, but the fact is that the total domestic sales of 37,000 vehicles is lesser than the target.

The concept is that, if EV can be charged by about 80% in about 30 minutes by using the rapid charger, and if the number of installations are increased then the environment of traveling far distance will be in order, and the growth can be promoted.

The European power such as BMW and Volkswagen have already started to introduce the EV into Japan, and it seems that the four domestic companies have judged the necessity to speed up the infrastructure consolidation by establishing the new company.