Mitsubishi Launches Solar-Powered EV Quick Charge Station
July 21st, 2011 by 
Mitsubishi joins the hunt for affordable, rapid charging stations with its own solar-powered prototype.
Ask any car owner about their biggest worry when it comes to electric vehicles, and they’re likely to say finding themselves in the middle of nowhere without an outlet.
The interstate system spawned a nationwide network of gas stations conveniently located along almost any route that cars routinely travel. This brings and element of comfort when you’re on mile 300 of a 3,000 mile trip.
But when you’re driving a fully electric car with a limited range, the idea of venturing too far from your home charging station can be very unnerving.
That’s why Mitsubishi and other companies in the EV game are working hard to perfect quick charge technology that will provide peace of mind and convenient range extension for those who want to leave town without the aid of fossil fuels.
Mitsubishi recently debuted a solar-powered charging station for electric vehicles at the MMNA headquarters in Cypress, California. The station, which features 96, 175W photovoltaic modules made by Mitsubishi Electric, is the first of its kind in Cypress, and will help kick off the preparations as certified Mitsubishi dealers become EV-ready in anticipation of the scheduled launch date of Mitsubishi i across the U.S.
Able to charge up to four vehicles at once, the station features three types of chargers with different voltages: standard level 1 voltage (110v) will deliver a 100 percent charge in 22 hours on the new Mitsubishi i; level 2 (220v) which can charge the vehicle in six hours; and level 3 CHAdeMO Quick Charger, which can charge to 80 percent battery capacity in 25 minutes.
Mitsubishi Electric’s solar panels are made with 100 percent lead-free solder, and have one of the higher sunlight-to-energy conversion ratios in the industry, adding to the project’s efficiency and sustainability.
Mitsubishi Motors North America President Yoichi Yokozawa said “We hope that our dealers, learning institutions, and municipalities will look to this technology with a keen eye towards the future, and bear in mind that the gradual acceptance of the pure-EV transportation will be aided by increasing the number of facilities like this one.”
We hope so too.
Article by Beth Buczynski, appearing courtesy Crisp Green.
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