New lower price DC quick charger from Nissan.

[ht2]

http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2011/_STORY/110912-01-e.html?rss" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think Nissan is moving forward with CHAdeMO.

 

[KeiJidosha]

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

I think Nissan is moving forward with CHAdeMO.

1,470,000.00 JPY = 19,060.49 USD. 5,000 in home market by 2015. Doesn’t jibe with statements from Nissan Executive Vice President Andy Palmer of <$5k units.

http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NISSANCHANNEL/index.html?bctid=1143596591001" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

What to believe?

 

[redLEAF]

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

I think Nissan is moving forward with CHAdeMO.

They even made it to look exactly like a gas pump (only much more narrow); note that auto retracting mechanism attached to the cord ('hose') -- it reminds me of the pre-credit card, non-gas emissions pumps of the past with the mechanical numbers -- very retro! At this price, I would think they are looking more at 'retail' or other types of stand alone locations versus home use.

 

[ht2]

Marketing guys are always overly optimistic.

New price. Using $1=77yen
Standard model: less then 1000000yen = $12987
Basic model(indoor only model): less then 735000yen = $9545

 

[tps]

I think Nissan is moving forward with CHAdeMO.

Do they really have a choice? By the time SAE finalizes their recommendation there will be quite a few EVs with Chademo on the road. Quick charge has always been a big part of Nissan's plan. I applaud Nissan for not waiting on Detroit to make EV plans...

 

[adric22]

Interesting, it says it only requires an input voltage of 200V AC (I think it said 3-phase) but it has an output voltage of 500V. So it must have a pretty decent sized transformer inside, especially to deliver 125 amps. I bet there is a lot of copper in there.

 

[hill]

I wouldn't read too much into the Japan - Yen - higher U.S. prices, due to a weak dollar thing. One of the heads at Aerovironment told me (about 5 MONTHS ago) they're in the process of building a bunch of DC QC's. This recent article corroborates that statement:
http://green.autoblog.com/2011/06/03/aerovironment-to-install-quick-charge-stations-along-oregons-i/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"... June 01 2011

# AeroVironment to select locations and install its Level 3 Fast Charging Stations along I-5 Corridor from the California state line to the Willamette Valley.
# Drivers will be able to charge their electric vehicles in minutes as they travel along a key Oregon highway.

MONROVIA, Calif., June 1, 2011 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced that it has been selected by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODoT) to install its high-power Level 3 electric vehicle (EV) fast charging stations along the I-5 corridor from the California state line to the Willamette Valley. This is the beginning of the "Green Highway," a vision for safe and consistent charging infrastructure spanning the West Coast, allowing EV drivers to travel with confidence from San Diego to Vancouver, B.C.

AeroVironment, selected to provide charging stations for the Nissan LEAF and BMW ActiveE, and co-developer of the first modern day EV, will install the fast charging stations along a 150-mile span of the I-5. The stations will be placed at convenient locations and will allow drivers to recharge their electric vehicles from a fully-discharged state in less than 30 minutes.

"Fast charging stations along high-traffic transportation corridors will help make driving electric vehicles between communities a viable option for Oregonians" said Art James, project director with the Oregon Department of Transportation. "The state of Oregon is committed to providing EV drivers with practical, safe and reliable EV recharging infrastructure, which is why we selected AeroVironment as one of our partners. AeroVironment secured this contract for the southern leg of the 'EV Green Highway' project by demonstrating its support, customer service, and price and value."

AeroVironment's Level 3 fast charging stations deliver high-power, DC charging for EV drivers with very little time to spare, mirroring the way drivers currently use gasoline stations. The fast charging stations are CHAdeMO compliant, meaning that they are compatible with fast-charge capable EV models such as the Nissan LEAF. The company's proprietary charging system is based on proven technology that has made AeroVironment a leading provider of heavy-duty EV fast chargers, supporting some of the most demanding supply chains in the world. ..."

iow ... since Nissan has already chosen AV as a source for L2 wall mount units for the earliest Leaf deliveries - it follows they'll likely be doing the DC QC's as well. It's not that huge a leap of faith to see that happening. I'm just saying, DC QC's can be made a lot cheaper here when the dollar is weak against other currencies.

To me, a $5K cost (and maybe another $5K to draw permits - install - rent space) for DC QC's is going to be GREAT for some entrepreneurial types, wanting to move infrastructure along. It might come in the form of extra 'fueling' at arco stations ... or (who knows) maybe just stand alone units - like phone booths!
.

 

[tps]

Interesting, it says it only requires an input voltage of 200V AC (I think it said 3-phase) but it has an output voltage of 500V. So it must have a pretty decent sized transformer inside, especially to deliver 125 amps. I bet there is a lot of copper in there.

Its likely a switch-mode supply, similar to what's in the LEAF's on-board charger. By switching at a high frequency, as opposed to transforming at 50/60 Hz, the amount of iron/copper is greatly reduced.

 

[jkirkebo]

Interesting, it says it only requires an input voltage of 200V AC (I think it said 3-phase) but it has an output voltage of 500V. So it must have a pretty decent sized transformer inside, especially to deliver 125 amps. I bet there is a lot of copper in there.

Its likely a switch-mode supply, similar to what's in the LEAF's on-board charger. By switching at a high frequency, as opposed to transforming at 50/60 Hz, the amount of iron/copper is greatly reduced.

Yeah, a switch mode power supply would also support 400VAC input for Europe (and 277V for the US), while a transformer-based unit would need a different transformer for each market. So the 200VAC input requirement is probably the minimum and I'd guess the unit supports up to 500VAC input at least.

 

[gbarry42]

125 amps * (500V / 200V) = 300 amps in. Switch-mode or not, that's still some hefty wire.

 

[TEG]

http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2011/_STORY/110912-01-e.html?rss
I think Nissan is moving forward with CHAdeMO.

Sharing technology with the Nichicon?

http://www.nichicon.co.jp/english/new/new113.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Nichicon / Nissan:

 

[TEG]

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2011/09/nissan-quickcharger-half-the-size-at-half-the-price/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[ht2]

Sharing technology with the Nichicon?

http://www.nichicon.co.jp/english/new/new113.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Nichicon unit has lower output power.(up to 30kW)
Nissan unit has full output power.(50kW)

 

[KeiJidosha]

I wouldn't read too much into the Japan - Yen - higher U.S. prices, due to a weak dollar thing. One of the heads at Aerovironment told me (about 5 MONTHS ago) they're in the process of building a bunch of DC QC's...

since Nissan has already chosen AV as a source for L2 wall mount units for the earliest Leaf deliveries - it follows they'll likely be doing the DC QC's as well.

Affordable QC from the same AV that brought us the $1,000 L2?

 

[tps]

Yeah, a switch mode power supply would also support 400VAC input for Europe (and 277V for the US), while a transformer-based unit would need a different transformer for each market. So the 200VAC input requirement is probably the minimum and I'd guess the unit supports up to 500VAC input at least.

It would be 480V 3Ph in the US; 277V is phase to neutral of 480V 3ph, used for lighting, etc. Alternately, it would be 208V 3Ph Y or 240V 3Ph delta. (120V is phase to neutral in these systems, except for the wild/high leg of the delta system.)