Toyota Plug-In In Sweden, Tokyo 'Battery Stations' Launched


I was surprised to see this post over at Treehugger.
In Scandinavia, they already have plug-in stations where people can recharge the electric cars (such as the Toyoya in the photo).


Norway is also definitely still in the lead, with more stations (it forecasts over 100 in place by the end of this year), and a significant advantage for early electric car adopters - free charging and free parking! In addition, Norway's THINK and Buddy give the country a real incentive to do what it takes to deliver an electric car infrastructure.


Treehugger: Swedes Battle Norwegians to Become Best Electric Car Mecca

Meanwhile, TEPCO, Japan's largest electricity firm, wants to establish 200 recharging stations for electric cars in Tokyo by 2010, expanding the network to 1,000 or so in about three years:

"Battery stations" to recharge electric vehicles were launched in car parks in Tokyo on Wednesday in a bid to promote the wider use of battery-operated vehicles in the future.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) has installed charging devices for electric vehicles in nine basement parking lots, including those under several office buildings, in the business district near JR Tokyo Station on a trial basis. It is the first time that "battery stations" for electric vehicles have been set up in basement parking areas.


The photo shows Mitsubishi's zero-emission MIEV being recharged in Roppongi, Tokyo earlier this week.

The Mainichi: 'Battery stations' launched for electric cars in downtown Tokyo

Dear readers of this humble blog: is this really such a great idea?

Comments

Pandabonium said…
Seems like a good idea, but wow, that 50 km long extension cord....
5:45 pm, September 24, 2008
Martin J Frid said…
I can't even get my vacuum cleaner cord to recoil that well...

(Why noone makes hybrid vacuum cleaners with rechargable batteries??)
1:38 am, September 26, 2008
Pandabonium said…
Actually, there are several vacuums which run on rechargeable batteries, but due to power restraints they tend to be very small ones designed only for small cleaning jobs. Google "rechargeable vacuum cleaner" and you'll find them.
8:18 pm, September 26, 2008
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