Nissan Develops New Quick Charger for Electric Vehicles

[lne937s]

"...significantly less than one million yen ($12,900), while the base specification unit will cost only below one half the price of the current unit (~$9000)."

"Preparations are also underway for future sales of the new quick charger in the US and in European markets."

September 12, 2011

Nissan Develops New Quick Charger for Electric Vehicles

YOKOHAMA, Japan - September 12, 2011 - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today revealed its new quick charger to the public and announced plans for this proprietary technology to go on sale in November 2011 at Nissan parts companies throughout Japan.


New quick charger unit
(standard specification)

The newly-developed quick charging unit retains the high performance of the current quick charger manufactured by Nissan, which is now on sale with a suggested retail price of 1.47 million yen (including tax), but is nearly half the size (by volume). The new charger unit's smaller size will take up less space and enable easier installation. When it goes on sale, the new standard specification quick charger unit will be highly competitive and great value to customers because it will cost significantly less than one million yen, while the base specification unit will cost only below one half the price of the current unit.

Nissan aims to sell 5,000 of the new quick chargers by the end of fiscal year 2015 (March 2016) to contribute to the ongoing development of the EV quick charging infrastructure in Japan. The company plans to install the new charging units at an increasing number of its dealerships nationwide and introduce the new units at local government facilities and in locations that draw large numbers of customers in regions throughout Japan. Nissan is also proactively seeking partner companies for sales as part of its efforts to assure customers of a comfortable and convenient electric vehicle driving experience. Preparations are also underway for future sales of the new quick charger in the US and in European markets.

Product Outline
Four features of the new quick charger
1.Safety
The new unit can be used even in rainy weather, and offers many safety features, such as monitoring against a potential short circuit when the charging unit is interfacing with the EV, for safe charging.
2.Universal compatibility
It complies with CHAdeMO*1 protocol and is compatible with Nissan EVs as well as EVs manufactured by other companies.
3.Responsive to various charging environments
To meet a variety of customer needs, Nissan has developed three specifications: base, standard and cold weather specifications.
4.Competitive pricing
Thanks to the adoption of new electric circuit technology*2 and by harnessing technology used in Nissan manufacturing and R&D, the new unit features a simple and efficient design that enables a low price.

Specifications






Base specification

Standard specification

Cold weather specification



Rated input

49kW 3- AC200V



Output voltage

Maximum DC500V



Output current

Maximum DC125A



Connector to feed power to the EV

JEVS G 105-1993-compliant*3



Height/width/depth (mm)

1,840x380x665



Countermeasures taken





•Heater
•Cold-resistant cable



Main specifications

•Indoor specification
•No LCD display
•External charger connector hook
•2m cable
•Antirust paint

•Outdoor specification
•Monochrome LCD display (color LCD display is an option)
•Built-in connector holder
•4m cable
•Final paint coating (white)

•Outdoor specification
•Monochrome LCD display (color LCD display is an option)
•Built-in connector holder
•4m cable
•Final paint coating (white)
•Heater
•Cold-resistant cable


*1 CHAdeMO: CHAdeMO is an abbreviation of "CHArge de MOve", roughly meaning to "charge for moving." It is an association of companies committed to the development of EVs by facilitating the expansion of EV charging station infrastructure and aiming at standardized charging methods.
*2 The new electric circuit technology: developed in cooperation with Nagaoka University of Technology
*3 JEVS G105-1993: The Japan Automotive Research Institute (JARI) has created a new organization for EV technology standardization, the Japan Electric Vehicle Association Standard (JEVS). G 105-1993 is the connector to be used at eco-station for EV quick charging systems.

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[91040]

Link, please.

 

[lne937s]

Link, please.

http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2011/_STORY/110912-01-e.html

 

[defiancecp]

To clarify, am I right in reading that this takes 220v input (at high amperage) and converts to the high-voltage quick-charge? The price might be nice (don't know, not familiar with what other quick chargers cost), but using 220v seems like the biggest huge plus.

Course we're talking 300A or so at 220, so they'd still have to beef up electrical to support it... but still seems like less of a big deal than bringing in 440, I would think.

 

[lne937s]

To clarify, am I right in reading that this takes 220v input (at high amperage) and converts to the high-voltage quick-charge? The price might be nice (don't know, not familiar with what other quick chargers cost), but using 220v seems like the biggest huge plus.

Course we're talking 300A or so at 220, so they'd still have to beef up electrical to support it... but still seems like less of a big deal than bringing in 440, I would think.

Actually 200v at ~250 amps (49kW)-- Japanese use different electrical standards.

~350 amp 220/240v (77kw/84kW) utility service is pretty common for houses here in the US. So a seperate utility hookup (like what would be used for a house), should work for a single ~49kW quick charger.

 

[DarkStar]

Rock on!

 

[garygid]

Now, if it was designed or can be configured:
1. to take 240v, and
2. provide less power (say 20 or 25 or 30 kW) when
only 100 or 125 or 150 amps are available.

Then, Ingineer would really have a really product!

 

[Herm]

Now, if it was designed or can be configured:
1. to take 240v, and
2. provide less power (say 20 or 25 or 30 kW) when
only 100 or 125 or 150 amps are available.

Variability is a given in the design of lithium chargers, the battery can only sustain a 50kw rate for a few minutes anyways before the charger has to taper down, or it cooks the battery.. Changing from 3 phase 200VAC to single phase 240VAC is a bigger design issue. I'm not sure it would be practical to use the same unit for both systems, but they could share a large proportion of the circuitry between the two units.

So these are "free" chargers?, no provision for customer payments?.. I guess it could work in a catered charging environment, and that would not be a bad idea. You drive up to Starbucks, give the cashier a valid credit card, go back outside and plug-in.. while the car is connected it charges your CC. This ensures that you dont hog the charger

 

[mxp]

Is this new charger still providing the 80% charge in 25 mins?

 

[patrick0101]

Is this new charger still providing the 80% charge in 25 mins?

Yes, this is a DC quick charge CHAdeMO unit.