The B2B platform for full-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles: Industry News

Developed in Japan, an ultra-fast charge station that complies with the CHAdeMo standard is capable of charging a 16kWh EV battery pack from empty to 50% full in only three minutes. Offering EV charge times on par with refueling times at a gas station, the technology could be a major step forward towards wide acceptance of EVs.

The ultra fast charging station has been developed by Japanese based company JFE Engineering and could provide an alternative to the concept of battery swap stations, as it provides a quick charge in a matter of minutes.

Charging times comparable to refilling time of gas tanks

Designed to comply with the CHAdeMo standard developed in Japan by Tokyo Electric Power Company and a coalition of Japanese automakers and engineering giants, the station is capable of charging the16kWh battery pack of the 2011 Mistubishi i-Miev from empty to 50% full in three minutes, allowing it to travel a further 50 miles before further charging is required. A zero to 70% full recharge of the i-Miev would take about five minutes.

The larger (24kWh) battery pack of the 2011 Nissan Leaf would take longer to charge, but even so charging times would still amount to only a few minutes, comparable to the time needed for refilling the tanks of a gas car.

Deployment at gas stations and convenience stores starting in Japan

The high cost of the station, which exceeds $60,000 (about €48,000) implies that the technology is not likely to be deployed for private use.

However, the fact that it allows for charge times comparable to refueling times at gas stations means that the technology could be used at conventional gas stations and convenience stores. Retail locations and gas stations will not need to invest in further infrastructure to power the system, as they should be able to accommodate for the 62.5kW power requirements of each charger.

Indeed, JFE Engineering, the Japanese based company that has developed the ultra-fast charging station plans to install the technology at gas stations and convenience stores all over Japan by the end of March 2011.