Mitsubishi's debuts EV charging station

Mitsubishi's North American operation has installed its first solar-powered EV charging station at its California headquarters. The facility was constructed without having to look out from under the company's own roof.

Coming care of Mitsubishi Electric and Electronics USA (aka Mitsubishi Electric), the unit is powered by 96x175W photovoltaic modules, enabling it to charge up to four vehicles at once.

It furnishes three types of chargers with different voltages: standard Level One voltage (110V) delivers a 100 per cent charge in 22 hours on the new Mitsubishi i-MiEV. Level Two (220V) reduces charge time to six hours, while the Level Three (300V plus) quick-charge, takes the battery to 80 per cent of its capacity in less than half an hour.

Mitsubishi Electric claims its solar panels sit up the industry's high end for efficiency in sunlight-to-energy conversion.

Asked about the possibility of bringing such a unit to Australia, spokeswoman Lenore Fletcher told motoring.com.au the local operation has no such plans at this stage.

"The Australian company remains primarily concerned with vehicle importation," Fletcher explained.

"So if it happens at all, it's a way off. I mean, at this point Australia has only a handful of fast-charge stations, never mind solar."

The company recently installed its first fast-charge unit at its headquarters in Adelaide. It draws power exclusively from renewable sources.

Fletcher says even though auto companies are yet to supply solar charging units, buyers are investigating making their own arrangements.

"As as I understand it, a couple of our bigger i-MiEV buyers have been looking at going down the solar charging path themselves, independently of us," continued Fletcher.

"If they have the wherewithal to do it, it makes a lot of sense. The smart money says one day solar systems will become viable and take off."