Mitsubishi have opened up a solar power charging station for electric vehicles

Mitsubishi Electric and Mitsubishi Motors have opened up a solar power charging station for EVs (electric vehicles with zero emissions) in Cypress, California. The charging facility is the first of its kind in Cypress. It symbolizes Mitsubishi’s commitment to electric vehicle readiness. The charging station will help as certified Mitsubishi dealers become EV-ready in anticipation of the scheduled launch date of Mitsubishi i for each state.

This charging station is powered by 96, 175W photovoltaic modules from Mitsubishi Electric cae. It will help support CHAdeMO compatible electric vehicles such as the Mitsubishi i, which will arrive in showrooms in November of 2011 – to much anticipation.

The station is able to charge up to four vehicles at once with three different types of chargers that have different voltages. There is a standard level 1 voltage (110v) charger that will deliver a 100% charge in just 22 hours; a level 2 (220v) charger which can replenish batteries in six hours; and a level 3 CHAdeMO Quick Charger, which can charge to 80% battery capacity in 25 minutes. All will be useful for different types of drivers.

Mitsubishi Motors North America President Yoichi Yokozawa said "We hope that our dealers, learning institutions, and municipalities will look to this technology with a keen eye towards the future, and bear in mind that the gradual acceptance of the pure-EV transportation will be aided by increasing the number of facilities like this one."

Situated near the junction of the 405 and 605 freeways in California, the hope is that the Cypress charging station will serve as a gateway charging pad for electric cars commuting between Los Angeles and Orange counties.

"This project will build awareness of solar power’s versatility and efficiency," said Katsuya Takamiya, president and chief executive officer, Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA.

"As electric vehicles’ popularity grows, we expect to see more charging stations at large employers, automobile dealerships, shopping centers and schools, where cars can charge while people work, shop or study."

Local residents who want to learn more about the Mitsubishi i or any of the other great models in their 2011 lineup should stop in at Mission Mitsubishi – the leading Mitsubishi dealership in San Antonio, Texas. Their sales team can answer questions and set consumers up with a test drive. Stop in today.

www.missionmitsubishi.com/