Nissan boosts electric charging network

NISSAN is accelerating plans for a European-wide Quick Charge (QC) network for electric vehicles by giving away 400 new quick charging stations free of charge.

These new points will boost existing networks and give EV customers greater freedom and flexibility by effectively extending the range of their car.

Countries across Europe have been asked to pitch for a charging network and the best ‘bids’ will win an allocation of chargers. In the UK, Nissan has put in a bid for 65 chargers which would be strategically located at selected service stations along the motorway network, creating a ‘pathway’ on major routes across the UK.

Contact has already been made with the three largest motorway service station chains who have a total of 100 stations across the country.

In addition, Quick Chargers would be located in some city centers and other key locations such as airports.

Nissan currently has a network of 32 EV dealers, 26 of which already have a Quick Charger installed. The remaining six dealers will be the first in the UK to install these new smaller units, the total number of dealers with QCs is expected to be 150 by the end of 2012.

By recharging batteries in a fraction of the time, this radical step will help drive more customers towards electric vehicles such as the Nissan LEAF. The advanced lithium ion batteries in Nissan LEAF can be recharged from 0 to 80% capacity in just 30 minutes using a quick charger.

Jim Wright, Managing Director, Nissan Motor (GB) Limited said: “While we are confident that the LEAF’s range will satisfy most customers’ needs, we understand that some will need to make occasional longer journeys. Our vision is to create a ‘pathway charging network’ which would remove so called ‘range anxiety’ and open up pure EV ownership to a whole new spectrum of drivers.”

By Press Association Reporters