Quick THINKing sets up EV maker up in the US
Faster charging is one way to kick-start your business in the US, finds electric vehicle manufacturerNorwegian EV specialist THINK has found a useful way to establish its brand in the US. With the help of local infrastructure builder AeroVironment, THINK has established a new benchmark in charging times, for electric vehicles.
A deal between the two companies in the US will substantially plug one of the major practicality gaps between electric and petroleum-fuelled cars: refill times. It takes hours to recharge an EV battery -- not an attractive proposition for consumers used to putting hundreds of kilometres' worth of petrol in a tank in just a minute or two. To date, that has been enough to keep EVs on the fringes of the auto market.
But the agreement, between THINK and US charging infrastructure builder AeroVironment (AV), will pull zero-to-80 percent recharge times down to a time of 15 minutes, setting what the pair call a new benchmark for the industry.
The two companies will start "pursuing projects to promote fast-charging infrastructure" throughout the US this year.
The crucial link lies in the Japanese-developed charging protocol AV uses in its level III fast-charge system. THINK and its US battery partner EnerDel have spent several months working with the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) system to validate the package's mass market viability. The THINK City armed with it will go to market in the US later in 2010. The company claims a range of more than 160km on a full charge at speeds of up to 110 km/h.
At this point, the fast-charge AV system is being looked at for public infrastructure and high-daily-usage fleets only. Normal charging takes place overnight through an "economically priced" 220-volt home charging station, or through a standard 110V US domestic power outlet.
With nearly two decades in EV development behind it in Europe, THINK's US expansion plans include a manufacturing plant in Indiana, where production will start on the City in early 2011. It already uses Finnish company Valmet -- Fisker's builder of choice for its Karma PHEV -- to manufacture the car for its European market.
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
