Mitsubishi's Solar Powered EV Charging Station
Electric cars have been rapidly going mainstream this year with the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf now available for consumer purchase.
Yet, some people question whether electricity is a “greener” fuel than gasoline. With solar powered EV charging stations, like the one at Mitsubishi Headquarters North America (in Cypress, California), you can drive your car on clean, renewable energy.
Watch this video showing how solar power can be used to charge the batteries of electric cars:
Solar charging stations are 100% emissions-free. UV light is absorbed by solar panels and converted into electricity that can be used to recharge batteries of electric cars.
At Mitsubishi Headquarters, the new solar powered EV charging station is a symbol of the company’s commitment to these cars of the future, as well as a “kick-off” for the manufacturer’s scheduled launch date in November 2011 of the electric Mitsubishi i in each state. (you can now place a pre-order for the EV, if you wish)
Solar battery charging at Mitsubishi Electric is powered by 96 photovoltaic (PV) 175W panels. The solar electric vehicle charging station can charge up to four vehicles at once and 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. WOW!
Katsuya Takamiya, president and chief executive officer of Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, commented:
“This project will build awareness of solar power’s versatility and efficiency. As electric vehicles’ popularity grows, we expect to see more charging stations at large employers, automobile dealerships, shopping centers and schools, where cars can charge while people work, shop or study.”
Mitsubishi Electric has also noted that its solar panels are made with 100 percent lead-free solder, and have one of the higher sunlight-to-energy conversion ratios in the industry.
Green energy for green driving…. not to mention the “green” you can save by driving an electric car charged with solar power!
Tags: electric vehicle charging stations, EV charging stations, solar battery charging, solar power, solar powered EV
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