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EV Charging Stations Go Online

October 29, 2008 in EVs, Future Cars, New Tech, PHEVs by kristen | 1 comment

Oregon City\'s new EV charging station

Portland, Oregon, gets a lot of credit for sustainability and forward thinking, but it’s not the only place looking to an EV-powered future. Oregon City, a suburb south of Portland, unveiled its new curbside charging station October 28 by plugging in a converted electric Fiat owned by resident Mark Mongillo. The idea is to get a jump start, if you will, on the infrastructure required for the EVs and plug-in hybrids that manufacturers are promising for the near-ish future.

The charging station, which was built by Shorepower Technologies of Portland, is one of four that have been installed in the region by Portland General Electric. It can charge up to four electric cars at once using 120-volt plugs, like what we have in our homes. At that rate, it would take about four hours for a full battery charge. Most people parking curbside would likely “top off” their batteries while shopping or sipping coffee.

After the unveiling of the seven-foot-tall station, Mongillo plugged in his Fiamp to charge. Nothing happened. Nothing noticeable, anyway. The crowd seemed to expect noise or a light to turn on or something, but plugging in an EV isn’t that showy. Mongillo said, “That’s it. It’s working,” and the small crowd applauded.

Fiamp Charging

Details on the Shorepower stations:

  • 7 feet, 8 inches tall; stainless steel
  • Powered by 100% renewable energy from PGE
  • $2,500 for the four-outlet unit, not including installation
  • Four 120-volt outlets; full charge in about 4 hours
  • Charging is free (so far)

Mitsubishi EV in New Zealand 2009

September 18, 2008 in EVs, small cars by kristen | 3 comments

Mitsubishi announced this week that it will bring a fleet of its i MiEV electric cars to New Zealand in February 2009. Local and national government officials will take turns driving the cars to spur discussion of infrastructure, marketing, and presumably some kind of incentive for bringing the cars to the good people of New Zealand in the future.

Why New Zealand, you ask? Why not the U.S. or some other nation tiring of the flucuation in oil prices? Two reasons, one of which is dead simple: Kiwis drive on the left side of the road, just like they do in Japan. The cars are built in Japan, and will be introduced first to the Japanese market, so there aren’t any adjustments to be made. The steering wheel is already in the right place.

The second reason is Mitsubishi Motors’ partner in the tour, state-owned Meridian Energy. Not only is it New Zealand’s largest energy provider, but 100% of that energy comes from renewable sources, like hydroelectric dams and wind farms. That means in New Zealand, the i MiEV can be a zero-emissions car coming and going.