Mitsubishi has solved a key problem to extending the use of electric vehicles. Apartment blocks, common in urban areas where use of electric cars is most likely to be uptaken, represent a problem for residents wishing to over-night charge their vehicle.
Now the Japanese carmaker along with Japan Delivery System Corporation (JDS) has jointly developed an electric vehicle charging system especially designed for apartment complexes.
The installation and management of an EV charging infrastructure in shared parking lots within apartment building has until now presented a major challenge to the popular uptake of electric vehicles in Japan. But with the development of the new system-called i-CHARGER-this problem can become a thing of the past by utilising existing apartment "delivery box" systems. A "delivery box" is a system of lockers that allow for delivery of packages when tenants are not at home that can be retrieved by the tenants using an individual PIN or verification code. In the same way, the i-CHARGER can manage who, when, and how much electricity was used through verification codes, making it easy for apartment complex supervisors to sort out electricity usage of the building's tenants.
When a tenant uses their "delivery box" verification card over the main charging unit, the outlet unit installed at the parking space is activated, allowing for charging of the user's electric vehicle. The charging time is calculated and managed by the "delivery box," allowing for the building supervisor to charge the correct electricity fees to the correct tenant.
The system is also expected to make it possible for apartment residents to share electric vehicles when the development reservation function is completed.
The i-CHARGER is to be retailed in Japan by JDS from today (December 1, 2009).
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